Achieving the goal of ensuring fair use of library materials and following a standard classification system is key to library success. Currently, more than 100 classification systems have been developed around the world. The most useful and widely used system for its use is the decimal system of classification, which was inaugurated 148 years ago today.
DDC published its current proposal in 1876. Dewey charted this method while an assistant librarian at Amherst College in New York City. It was first used in college libraries in 1873, and then in 1876 he experimentally published it in book form in a short volume of only 42 pages. The first 12 pages of this book serve as a sub-section, the next 12 pages as a table, and the last 18 pages as an index.
The DDC classification just kept changing from the second to the 23rd edition. But the fifteenth edition of this system is considered the “standard version.”.
Both its eighteenth and nineteenth editions were published in three volumes, from the twenty-first edition to the twenty-third edition in four volumes.
Innovative Features of DDC:
The following four features are noteworthy in terms of subject arrangement in the classification system of DDC:
Relative location: The arrangement of books by subject is first seen in the Dewey system. Prior to Dewey, books were numbered sequentially according to their position on the shelf; in other words, the location of each book was fixed. But Dewey practiced the symbolic identification of each book by subject rather than by self. As a result, books began to be coded according to the proportional relationship between the subjects of different books; the position of the self gradually became secondary. This made it possible to easily keep new books on the same subject in the current order. Dewey’s revolutionary scheme of relative positioning was made easier to implement by the introduction of rotating decimal notation.
Decimal notation:
In addition to the main subject categories, there is another category for general knowledge. Each main category is divided into ten sub-categories, each of which is further subdivided into 10 categories. Thus, this method of breaking down each subject into ten sub-divisions has left room for expansion in the division of subjects in DDC.
Subdivision:
Dewey introduced the practice of shifting books to accommodate new book space collections, making it possible to refer to finer subdivisions or broader subjects. Dewey included a list of 1000 books in his first edition, 21504 (excluding auxiliary tables), on this topic in the DDC Nineteenth Edition. Of course, there was room for greater synthesis. Broadly speaking, the scope for expansion in DDC is always open.
Relative Index:
A subject may belong to more than one branch of knowledge. It is possible to have references to that subject in different places within the classification list. Dewey brings different positions on the same subject under less than one heading in the Index Subject Guide. The usefulness of the relative subject guide is twofold: 1) It indicates precisely the organization of a given subject; 2) Different aspects of the same topic are dispersed in different places due to the classification system; guidelines bring all those aspects to the same place. Subject guidelines are of particular importance in formulating subject guidelines. Another advantage of Dewey’s Relative Index is the supporting word list.
In many cases, this list is included in the main sections of DDC:
1) General knowledge category: Dewey divided all the general knowledge of the world into 10 categories in Arabic numerals:
00 General knowledge
1 Philosophy
2 Religion
3 Social Sciences
4 languages
5 Science
6 Technologies and Applied Science
7 Fine arts
8 Literatures
9 General Geography and History
The symbols used by Dewey in the Arabic numeral system for squaring are called notations. The basis of Dewey notation is three numbers, so “00” is converted to three numbers by placing two zeros next to it, such as: 000, 100, and 200 respectively, for common knowledge, philosophy, religion, etc. Dewey named these general records. Moreover, he divided the first ten parts into ten parts again, i.e. (10 X 10) = 100. Later, he was again converted to 100 X 10 = 1000 parts and named 1st Summary, 2nd Summary, and 3rd Summary. This made it easy to categorize all categories of knowledge.
Category Type:
One of the features of Dewey classification is Form Division or Standard Sub Division. The word form literally means ‘type or form’ hence the name type category. From 1st to 16th edition, it is called From Division and from 17th to 23rd edition, it is called Standard Sub Division. They are not used alone anywhere, it has a huge impact on the overall classification. It is important to remember that after adding the form division, as per the rules of DDC, a dot will be placed after the three digits. Its special feature is that the standard subdivision is always preceded by a zero. Like: -01 philosophy and information; 02 hand books, summaries; 03 dictionaries, encyclopedias, etc. 01–09 are divided into nine categories.
Key features of the 23rd edition:
The Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) system, developed by Melvil Dewey in 1876, is used to organize books and other materials in libraries. The 23rd edition, released in 2011, introduced changes and updates to reflect new knowledge and practices. Here are some key features of the 23rd edition:
1. Updated Terminology and Language:
The 23rd edition uses modern language to make the system more accessible globally.
2. Expanded Coverage:
New categories and topics have been added to cover emerging fields and recent developments.
3. Improved Instructions and Guidelines:
The edition includes clearer instructions for catalogers to enhance consistency and accuracy in classification.
4. Enhanced Online Availability:
The 23rd edition supports and expands the use of Web Dewey, the online version of the DDC.
5. Updated Tables and Schedules:
The main schedules and tables have been revised and updated to reflect current practices.
6. Multilingual Support:
The DDC 23rd edition includes support for translations into multiple languages.
7. Enhanced Interdisciplinary Relationships:
Improved linking of related subjects across disciplines for better interdisciplinary research.
8. Focus on Digital Resources:
The edition acknowledges and incorporates the classification of digital and electronic resources.
9. User Feedback Integration:
Feedback from librarians and users worldwide has been considered in making revisions.
10. Ongoing Updates:
The 23rd edition is part of an ongoing process of revision and updates, with regular updates provided through Web Dewey.
These features help maintain the DDC as a relevant and useful tool for organizing library collections and facilitating information retrieval.
