USING LIBRARY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS
Keeley Library 4/7/2000

To shelve books by subject, the Keeley Library uses the Dewey Decimal Classification System, which is based on decimal order. Bristol Community College uses the Library of Congress Classification System, which is based on letters of the alphabet. Below is a subject browsing guide for both systems.
Dewey decimal 
Ten major classes, these are then expanded to subdivisions and decimals.		 SUBJECTS Library of congress 
Twenty major sections, each designated by a letter of the alphabet. These are expanded by adding letters and numbers.
000-099 General Works A- General Works
100-199

200-299

 Philosophy and related disciplines.

Religion

 B- Philosophy, Psychology, 
 

Religion
300-399 Social Sciences H-Social Sciences
J-Political Science
K-Law
L-Education
U-Military Science
V-Naval Science
400-499

800-899

 Languages

Literature

 P-Language and Literature
500-599 Pure Sciences Q-Pure Sciences
600-699 Technology and applied sciences T- Technology
R-Medicine
Agriculture-S
700-799 The arts N-Fine Arts
M-Music
900-999 General geography and History Auxiliary Science of History
D-History and Topography, 
(except American)
E-American History
F-United States Local History
G-Geography, Anthropology

Example of the same book cataloged in both Dewey Decimal and Library of Congress Classification Systems:
Dewey Decimal Call Number at Durfee and public libraries. Use the online public access catalog in each library to look up the book by author, title or subject.  Library of Congress Call Number at Bristol Community College library.
Ref.   958.005
          G562
          1996
Write down the Call number.
 Ref. DS 62.4
        S63
        1992
Read the call number in this order to find it on the shelf.

Numerical Order (956) 

Decimal Order  (.005) 

Alphabetical Order G 

Numerical Order (562)

 Locate the book on the shelf in each library by the call number.  In this case, the book is in the Reference Collection in both libraries. It must be used in the  library.

Ask library staff to help you if you have trouble locating the book.

 Read the call number in this order to find it on the shelf.
Alphabetical Order (DS) 

Numerical Order (62) 

Decimal Order (.4) 

Alphabetical Order (S) 

Numerical Order (63)

INTERNET RESOURCES
The following sites classify Internet links using the Dewey Decimal System
  • Argus Clearinghouse
  • Morton Grove Public Library Webrary
  • Kingswood College Library Subject Guides
  • Librarians Index to the Internet
    		•
  • World Wide Web Virtual Library
  • Do we really know Dewey?
  • Monroe County  Dewey Decimal Web Links
  • Kids Click Dewey
    		•

    Return to Making the Keeley Library Work for YOU
    Return to Using Online Catalogs
    Return to History Resources Page

    Jane Constant  Keeley Library
    B.M.C.Durfee High School of Fall River
    September, 1978  to  June, 2001