Saturday, May 30, 2009

DDC 22 Print

DDC 22 Print: Four printed volumes help keep your collections organized

DDC 22, the four-volume unabridged edition of the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) system, reflects the many changes to the body of human knowledge that have occurred since DDC 21 was published in 1996.

Published in mid-2003, DDC 22 includes helpful tools that make the classification easier to use.

You can download PDF versions of DDC 22 highlights, including an introduction, a glossary and a list of new features.

Each of these tools will help you better understand how the DDC organizes knowledge into a classification that is useful to library users worldwide.

The DDC 22 Introduction (37 pages, 258K), a full reprint from volume 1 of DDC 22, provides a detailed overview of the DDC, including basic terminology and an explanation of DDC structure, complete with many helpful examples.

If you are new to classifying with Dewey, this introduction will help you get started quickly.

The Glossary (9 pages, 74K), also reprinted from volume 1 of DDC 22, provides helpful definitions of DDC terms and gives users a common language for implementing the DDC.

New Features (20 pages, 143K), another reprint from volume 1 of DDC 22, concisely describes what’s new in DDC 22, including changes implemented to enhance classifier productivity and a selected list of specific changes to DDC numbers. Look here if you want to quickly assess the changes from DDC 22 that you can apply to your collections.

If you like to download the PDF versions of DDC 22 highlights, including the Introduction (37 pages, 258K), the Glossary (9 pages, 74K), or the New Features (20 pages, 143K), just go to the source of information at this url:

http://www.oclc.org/dewey/versions/ddc22print/default.htm

Friday, May 29, 2009

How to Remember DDC

Here are some tools/websites to help you remember what each of the Dewey hundreds groups represents:

Play the Dewey Bookbody Game

The answer will appear below when you put the mouse over Dewey's different body parts.

http://www.patmillerbooks.com/kids.html


Dewey and the Alien

Learn about the Dewey Decimal system in a website designed by 6th graders...They are going to tell you how to remember what each of the Dewey hundreds represent.

http://http//library.thinkquest.org/5002/Alien/alien.htm


Dewey Decimal Web Quest


When you have finished this Quest you will know more about the Dewey Decimal System. Remember to try a Dewey-related game to test your knowledge.

Dewey Decimal System


File Format: Microsoft Powerpoint
Dewey Decimal System: This seems like a lot to remember, but don’t worry you’ll learn it all quickly.
http://www.floyd.k12.va.us/itrt/pwrpnts/library%20science/DeweyDecimal.pptlibrary%20science/DeweyDecimal.ppt

Friday, May 22, 2009

WebDewey: the Easiest Way to use DDC

The Easiest Way to use DDC is to use WebDewey.

WebDewey gives access to an enhanced version of the DDC database.

It is part of the OCLC suite of cataloging and metadata services that OCLC offers through the OCLC Connexion service.

Logon to WebDewey at http://connexion.oclc.org/

WebDewey includes:

  • all content from DDC 22, including quarterly updates ( new developments, new built numbers, and additional electronic index terms )
  • updated PPT mappings to Edition 22 numbers in the areas of computer science and law
  • thousands of Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) that have been statistically mapped to Dewey numbers from records in WorldCat (the OCLC Online Union Catalog) and intellectually mapped by DDC editors
  • thousands of Relative Index terms and built numbers not available in print
  • links from mapped LCSH to the LCSH authority records
  • selected mappings from Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)

Using WebDewey: An OCLC Tutorial at

http://www.oclc.org/dewey/resources/tutorial/

to learn how WebDewey works


Source of information:
http://www.oclc.org/dewey/versions/webdewey/default.htm

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Understanding DDC (Dewey Decimal Classification)

"Understanding DDC Through INNOvative Display" is the title of this blog, and the main purpose of this blog is:

First step: to guide readers to understand DDC (Dewey Decimal Classification).

The
second step, is to use DDC (Dewey Decimal Classification) to create INNOvative display.

As this Blog is created to benefit school librarians who are either students or teachers in Singapore, it may not be useful for cataloguers who are expert users of DDC schedule.

Since the purpose of this blog is to guide school librarians in understanding DDC, in order to make the learning process fun and interesting, the core teaching is through INNOvative display.

The three Learning Goals are:
  • Understand DDC and enable learners to recall the main classes with ease
  • Enable learners to understand DDC's hierarchical structure and display DDC call numbers in logical, yet interesting and attractive manner
  • Understand the hierarchy of DDC and enable learners to recall DDC call numbers through INNOvative HANDS-ON experience


Tuesday, May 19, 2009

DDC Abridged Edition is suitable for school libraries

For libraries with collections of 20,000 titles or fewer, the abridged edition of the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) system provides the level of detail needed to classify the materials in those collections.

Abridged Edition 14, published in early 2004, reflects the many changes to the body of human knowledge that have occurred since Abridged Edition 13 was published in 1997.

Packaged in one convenient, affordable print volume, the abridged DDC provides Dewey numbers that are compatible with the unabridged edition should a library’s collection expand and require deeper classification detail.

Source of information:
http://www.oclc.org/dewey/versions/abridgededition14/

Monday, May 18, 2009

What is DDC?

What is DDC?

To understand it better, it is recommended that you read the FAQ compiled by Dewey Editorial Office, Decimal Classification Division, Library of Congress
DEWEY DECIMAL CLASSIFICATION
OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc.

The URL is:
http://staff.oclc.org/~dewey/dewey.htm

Here is a snapshot of the FAQ, it is advisable for one to click the link and read the full text to gain better understanding:




What's the DDC?

The Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) system is a general knowledge organization tool that is continuously revised to keep pace with knowledge.

The system was conceived by Melvil Dewey in 1873 and first published in 1876.

The DDC is published by OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc...





Who's responsible for the DDC?

One of Dewey's great strengths is that the system is developed and maintained in a national bibliographic agency, the Library of Congress...





Who uses the DDC?

The DDC is the most widely used classification system in the world.

Libraries in 138 countries use the DDC to organize and provide access to their collections, and DDC numbers are featured in the national bibliographies of 62 countries...

Dewey is also used for other purposes, e.g., as a browsing mechanism for resources on the web.

The DDC has been translated into over thirty languages...





In what formats is the DDC published?

The DDC is published in full and abridged editions in print and electronic versions.

The latest full edition is the 22nd (DDC 22), published in 2003, and the latest abridged edition is the 14th (Abridged 14), published in 2004...

WebDewey and Abridged WebDewey, the electronic versions of the full and abridged editions, respectively, are updated frequently and contain additional index entries and mapped vocabulary...



How is the DDC structured?

...In the DDC, basic classes are organized by disciplines or fields of study.

At the broadest level, the DDC is divided into ten main classes, which together cover the entire world of knowledge.

Each main class is further divided into ten divisions, and each division into ten sections (not all the numbers for the divisions and sections have been used)...

The first summary contains the ten main classes.

The first digit in each three-digit number represents the main class. For example, 600 represents technology.

The second summary contains the hundred divisions.

The second digit in each three-digit number indicates the division.

For example,

600 is used for general works on technology,

610 for medicine and health,

620 for engineering,

630 for agriculture.

The third summary contains the thousand sections.

The third digit in each three digit number indicates the section. Thus, 610 is used for general works on medicine and health, 611 for human anatomy, 612 for human physiology, 613 for personal health and safety.

Arabic numerals are used to represent each class in the DDC.

A decimal point follows the third digit in a class number, after which division by ten continues to the specific degree of classification needed.

A subject may appear in more than one discipline.

For example, "clothing" has aspects that fall under several disciplines.

The psychological influence of clothing belongs in

155.95 as part of the discipline of psychology;

customs associated with clothing belong in

391 as part of the discipline of customs;

and clothing in the sense of fashion design belongs in

746.92 as part of the discipline of the arts.



How do I find out more about the DDC?

The Dewey web site contains up-to-date information about the DDC, DDC products and services, and DDC licensing.

For more information about the structure and application of the Dewey Decimal Classification, consult the Introduction to the Dewey Decimal Classification (also available in WebDewey and in volume 1 of DDC 22).

A more in-depth introduction to the Dewey Decimal Classification may be found in Dewey Decimal Classification: Principles and Application, 3d ed., by Lois Mai Chan and Joan S. Mitchell (Dublin, Ohio: OCLC, 2003).



How do I get hold of the DDC?

The print versions of DDC 22 (4 vols.) and Abridged 14 are available for purchase directly from OCLC and its authorized distributors.

Access to the electronic versions -- WebDewey and Abridged WebDewey --

is offered by OCLC and its authorized distributors upon payment of an annual subscription fee...



What legal stuff should I bear in mind?

All copyright rights in the Dewey Decimal Classification are owned by OCLC...


Thursday, May 14, 2009

DDC Scramber Game

If you enjoy scramble game, play this wordscramble game and enhance your DDC knowledge:

http://www.studystack.com/wordscramble-471

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

DDC Cataloging and Metadata

To understand the relationship of DDC and Metadata, it is good to start with the understanding of Metadata.

Metadata, From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meta_data

has the following points:

Etymology

Meta is a classical Greek preposition (μετ’ αλλων εταιρων) and prefix (μεταβασις) conveying the following senses in English, depending upon the case of the associated noun:

among; along with;
with; by means of;
in the midst of; after; behind.
In epistemology, the word means "about (its own category)";
thus metadata is "data about the data".

Example: "160081" is data, and with no additional context is meaningless. When "160081" is given a meaningful name (metadata) of "ZIP code", one can understand (at least in the Singapore, and within the context of a postal address) that "160081" refers to Block 81 in Tiong Poh Road, Singapore.

Hence, Metadata contains information about that data or other data.

In the mathematic world, 0 to 9 is for counting.

000 has no meaning, yet in the context of DDC, 000 is the first main class.

000 = Computer Science, information and general works

In general mathematical application, 100, 200, 300... 900 is for counting and it means one hundred, two hundred, three hundred ... and nine hundred.

In the context of DDC, 100, 200, 300... 900 are given a meaningful name (metadata) of "main class number or call number", one can understand with easy that:

100 = Philosophy and Psychology

200 = Religion

300 = Social Science

400 = Language

500 = Science

600 = Technology

700 = Arts and Recreation

800 = Literature

900 = History and Geography


Hierarchies of metadata

Metadata can be structured to built multi-level hierarchy. For example the postal code "160081" has it own hierarachy:

16 = One local area in Singapore, i.e., Tiong Bahru.

00 = One of the zone in this housing estate, Tiong Poh Road.

81 = Block number which is number 81.

Manually-created metadata adds value because it ensures consistency.

Zip code is created to add value in postal service as its ensures consitency and eliminate errors in postal delivery.


Dewey Decimal Classification and its Hierarchies has the same functions.

In DDC

300 = Social Science

370 = Education

373 = Secondary Education

Hence in 373, one can interprate the hierachy of classification in this manner:

300 = One of the main class in classification of knowledge, i.e., Social Science

70 = One of the sub-class in Social Science, i.e., Education

3 = One of the sub-class in Education, i.e., Secondary Education

Hence, 373 = Secondary Education.

If you are in a library of which DDC is used in the classification of book and reading materials, you can always find books on Secondary Education at 373.

DDC is created to add value in classification of knowledge as its ensures consitency in application.

At the circulation end, the classification system helps librarians and users quick retrieval of books and reading materials.