What is Dewey?

The Dewey Decimal System is a world recognised method of arranging

library books into subject areas with the use of numbers. It’s a

commonly used method for libraries in the UK, particularly in public,

university and school libraries.

What are the subject areas?

Here is a list of the broad subject areas:

Decimal Number Subject Area

000 – 99 Computer science, information, general works

100 – 199 Philosophy, parapsychology and occultism, psychology

200 – 299 Religion

300 – 399 Social Sciences

400 – 499 Language

500 – 599 Natural Sciences and Mathematics

600 – 699 Technology (Applied Sciences)

700 – 799 The Arts & Recreation

800 – 899 Literature

900 – 999 History & Geography

While this is a good general guide, subjects often spill over into other

areas which can make it difficult to find the resources. Over the page is

a guide as to where subjects might appear.

How to…

Find the right

book

* Separate “How to guide….” available for Geography

**Sport biographies in 796

English novels, poetry and plays are opposite the LRC desk.

Leisure fiction, DVDs and CDs are opposite the LRC desk.

Textbooks are on the last two shelves.

Careers, life skills and study skills are on the last shelf.

Journals and magazines are on the last shelf.

Remember! Follow the signs and ask for help if you’re unsure.

Decimal Number Subject

000 – 009 Computer Science – Flash, CS5, Adobe

150 – 159 Psychology – relationships, applied

200 – 299 Religion and Ethics – philosophy

300 – 309 Sociology – behaviour, groups, community

320 – 329 Politics – ideology, systems, rights

330 – 339 Economics – labour, financial, production

340 – 349 Law – criminal law, private law, constitutional

370 – 379 Education

400 – 429 English – language, dictionaries

430 – 439 German – language, fiction

440 – 449 French – language, fiction

450 – 459 Italian – language, fiction

491.7 Russian – language, fiction

510 – 519 Mathematics

530 – 539 Physics

540 – 549 Chemistry

570 – 599 Biology – biochemistry, zoology, botany

610 – 619 P.E. – health, human physiology & anatomy

620 Music Technology

650 – 659 Business – brands, entrepreneurs

700 – 769 Art – landscape art, architecture, design

770 – 779 Photography

780 – 789 Music – composition, vocal music

790 – 791 Media – TV, film, radio

792 - 793 Dance

796 – 799 P.E. – sport activities, sport biographies

800 – 899 Literature – criticism, literary theory

910 – 919 Geography* - travel, revision guides

920 Biographies**

930 – 999 History – wars, politics, social changes