Simplifying Dewey

Melvil Dewey image.
Image from public domain at Wikimedia Commons

I’m about to take a huge leap into the unknown here and risking the ire of librarians (not to mention my fantastic library assistant) everywhere.  I’m not “ditching Dewey” entirely.  Instead, I’m going to start cutting off all Dewey numbers at the decimal point to make them whole numbers.  No decimals.  Not even for the animal or sports section.  I think it’s high time we let go of the strict cataloging that Dewey limits us to and make it fit our needs instead of the other way around.

Some folks are sure to think I’m insane.  After all, how will students find a dolphin or panda or orangutan book if they are mixed in with all the other mammals in 599.  Same with sports and 796.  Well, here’s my brainstorm:  I’m keeping the books shelved with the same general topic and adding magazine files (backwards on the shelf) or empty VHS tape cases with large, pictorial signage to help with both shelving and finding the right books.

UPDATE 2023: I’ve been using Whole Number Dewey for almost 10 years now, and I highly recommend it! Read more about how I did it in my Whole Number Dewey blog post.

I’m aiming for an easier-to-implement METIS-like system.  While I’m not convinced that METIS has everything figured out, I like the idea of simplifying the Dewey numbers.  However, I think it’s an easy enough connection for students to make that a number (Dewey decimal assigned) corresponds with a topic, and I think it helps for students to have one section to browse about the same topic.

Some other accommodations I’ve made to make finding a book easier:

  • I made an “easy nonfiction” section that is organized very basically: animals, science, holidays, health, careers, places, biographies. Kindergarten and 1st grade start with nonfiction here, though I will show them the “big” nonfiction section and guide them to the right shelf if they request it. By the end of 1st grade, they know their favorite nonfiction shelves and go straight to them.
  • I’m in touch with Mackin about fixing/updating all my MARC records for me.  Unless there’s a report in Destiny for this, I don’t see another way.
  • Finally, I’m starting to make some signs to use recycled magazine files and empty video cases. I’ve used the taller backs of magazine files before to label the easy/everybody section with the alphabet letters, and it really is a valuable idea to make the library more useable for young children. The magazine files take up a LOT of space on the shelf, so that’s why I’m considering video cases.

About The Author

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Shopping Cart
Scroll to Top