1. Amended by GD 1/12/2008 Welcome to London Metropolitan University Libraries Classmarks: How to find books on the shelves Library Services

2. Dewey Decimal System

• At London Metropolitan University Library we use a classification method for all subjects called the Dewey Decimal Classification System. To find a book on the library shelves you will need to know its Classmark .

• This you can find from the library catalogue. You need to get familiar with the classmark (numbers) for your subjects.

• This classification system divides all knowledge or subjects into 10 broad categories. Categories start from 000 to 999. A wide range of numbers can be used due to addition of the decimal point.

• Open the following web site address in your web browser: http://catalogue.londonmet.ac.uk/

3. Class Numbers

• Use for finding general Information :

• There are 10 Broad CLASSES

• 000 Computers/Information

• 100 Philosophy & Psychology

• 200 Religion

• 300 Social Sciences

• 400 Languages

• 500 Science

• 600 Technology (Applied Sciences)

• 700 Arts & Recreation

• 800 Literature

• 900 History, Geography, Travel

4. Classmark Search

• Now do a keyword search on the library catalogue at;

• http://catalogue.londonmet.ac.uk

• check to see what classmark your subject falls under. As an example, search on the topic of 'Study Skills'. Task:

• Type the keywords study skills , click on the Search Button, Click on the title " 'The study Skills Handbook by S Cottrell' " and look at the column called 'Classmark'

• What is the classmark ?

5. How do I find a book on the shelves?

• Find the book details on the library catalogue

• Check in which library it is held

• Check that the item is available

• Look for the Classmark:

• 658.4038011LAU

6. How do I find a book on the shelves?

• Books are classed from 000 to 999

• Go to the shelves to find the book

• Look for your classmark, eg:

• 658.

• 403

• 801

• 1

• LAU

7. Moving from the general to the specific.

• Moving From Broad Subjects to Subdivisions to Specialised Topics

• Subjects are then further divided into 10 main classes or categories. Take the example of the 700s classmark numbers for Arts and Recreation topics.

• Each main class e.g. 700 is divided into 10 subdivisions e.g. 700, 710, 720, 730,

• The breakdown of the subject continues......... Take the number 720 Each of these subdivisions is further divided into 10 specialised topics, e.g. 720, 721, 722, 723, 724, 725, ..

8. The Decimal Point

• At the end of the scale a Decimal point is used to show the specificity of the subject. The more Specialised topics are further divided by using the decimal point e.g. 720.01, 720.02, 720.1, 720.2,.

• The more numbers the more specific the subject. What it does: coordinates subjects in the same subject field and places related subjects on the shelves in number order.

9. Short Quiz

• Ignore for now the letters after the classmark

• What is the classmark for title " The Social Impact of the Arts:an intellectual history by Belfiore, Eleonora ? ":

• What is the classmark of title " Ancient Architecture?

• Do a keyword search for " Sport Management." What is the classmark for the second title?:

10. 700 Arts & Recreation

• 700 Arts & Recreation

• 10 Classes are divided in to 10 divisions or specialised topics within Arts and Recreation topics:

• Subdivisions

• 700 Arts 710 Landscaping 720 Architecture 730 Sculpture Metalwork 740 Drawing 750 Painting 760 Graphic Arts 770 Photography 780 Music 790 Sports, Games

• 700 Arts & Recreation Categories 10 divisions are further subdivided into 10 Specialised topics ranging from 0-9, 10-19, 20-29.... I.e. 700-709, 710-719, 720-729 etc to end at 790-799.

11. 700 Arts & Recreation

• Specialised Topics

• 790 Recreational & Performing Arts 791 Public Performances 792 Stage Presentations 793 Indoor games 794 Indoor Games of Skill 795 Games of Chance 796 Athletics & Outdoor Sports 797 Aquatic & Air Sports 798 Equestrian Sports 799 Fishing & Hunting

• Finding Specialised or Specific Subject Areas within a Subject We started at 700-799, broad subjects or categories, Broad Subjects 700-799

• Subdivided them in to 10 subdivisions 700, 710, 720, etc Specific Subjects 700-709, 710 - 719, 720-729 ..............790 -799 These numbers were further subdivided 700, 701, 702, 703, .......,

12. 700 Arts & Recreation

• Specialised Subjects 701-709..............791-799

• Adding the Decimal point means that specialised topics are broken down even further

• Take the number 796 - Athletics and Outdoor Sports Each Section is subdivided

• (This is a sample) 796.01 Sport Psychology 796.046 Extreme Sports 796.077 Coaching 796.10 Childrens Games 796.14 Flying Kites 796.3 Ball Games 796.32 Net Ball 796.4

• What classmark is the topic " martial arts'? "

13.

• Books are Filed digit by digit not by whole number. 331 331.01 , 331.011

• In this list which number comes first, which is second, third etc.? ..., 331.02, 331.041, 331.016, 331.042, 331.1, 331.192, 331.026, 331.2

• The correct order is:

• 331.016, 331.02, 331.026, 331.041, 331.042, 331.1, 331.192, 331.2

14. Finding Your Books by Class Number

• Books are arranged in number order with the lowest numbers to the left. e.g. Management books are 658 .

• Numbers are arranged in order firstly by the 3 digits to the left of the decimal point, i.e.

• 658 and then by any digits that are present after the decimal point. 658.01 658.1 658.101

15.

• Digits after the decimal point are ordered with the lowest number first, taking one digit at a time. 658.01 658.001 658.0014 658.001511322 and so on

• How would you find Science textbooks? Type in "Science" in your keyword search. Click on any title. What main number s are you getting. Are they within the "500s"?

16. Classmarks & Letters

• Additional to the classmark numbers, letters are also used. When we have a large amount of books in the same subject field which share the same classmark number a specific title may be difficult to find.

• Books are then arranged not just in the number order but also in alphabetical order from left to right taking the first three letters from the title or authors surname. 658 ABC 658.BAR 500.0123 LAF 338.102 ACC