Dewey Decimal Classification: Difference between revisions

{{Redirect|The Dewey Decimal System|the novel by Nathan Larson|The Dewey Decimal System (novel){{!}}''The Dewey Decimal System'' (novel)}}

It was first published in the United States by [[Melvil Dewey]] in 1876.<ref>{{citation | last = Dewey | first = Melvil | url = https://www.gutenberg.org/files/12513/12513-h/12513-h.htm | title = Classification and Subject Index for Cataloguing and Arranging the Books and Pamphlets of a Library | format = Project Gutenberg eBook | year = 1876 | access-date = 31 July 2012 | archive-date = November 10, 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121110175608/https://www.gutenberg.org/files/12513/12513-h/12513-h.htm | url-status = live }}</ref> Originally described in a 44-page pamphlet, it has been expanded to multiple volumes and revised through 23 major editions, the latest printed in 2011. It is also available in an abridged version suitable for smaller libraries. [[OCLC]], a non-profit cooperative that serves libraries, currently maintains the system and licenses online access to '''WebDewey''', a continuously updated version for [[catalogerCataloging (library science)|catalogers]]s.

Dewey himself held copyright in editions 1 to 6 (1876–1919). Copyright in editions 7&ndash;10 was held by the publisher, The Library Bureau.<ref>{{Cite book |publisher = Forest Press |location = Lake Placid Club, N.Y. |title = Decimal classification and relative index for libraries and personal use |last = Dewey |first = Melvil |date = 1922 | oclc = 1367992 | page = 2 |ol = 6648895M }}</ref> On the death of May Seymour, Dewey conveyed the "copyrights and control of all editions" to the Lake Placid Club Educational Foundation, a non-profit chartered in 1922.<ref>{{harvp|Comaromi|1976|p=286}}</ref> The [[OCLC|Online Computer Library Center]] (OCLC) of [[Dublin, Ohio]], US, acquired the trademark and copyrights associated with the Dewey Decimal Classification system when it bought Forest Press in 1988. In 2003 the Dewey Decimal Classification came to the attention of the U.S. press when OCLC sued the [[Library Hotel]] for trademark infringement for using the classification system as the hotel theme.<ref name=nytimes>{{cite news|last= Luo|first= Michael|title= Where Did Dewey File Those Law Books?|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/23/nyregion/where-did-dewey-file-those-law-books.html|access-date= 17 November 2013|newspaper= The New York Times|date= September 23, 2003|archive-date= March 25, 2017|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170325203813/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/23/nyregion/where-did-dewey-file-those-law-books.html|url-status= live}}</ref> The case was settled shortly thereafter.<ref>{{Cite news |title = OCLC and The Library Hotel settle trademark complaint |date = October 24, 2003 |publisher = Library Technology Guides |url = http://www.librarytechnology.org/ltg-displaytext.pl?RC=15488 |access-date = October 21, 2013 |archive-date = October 21, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131021223727/http://www.librarytechnology.org/ltg-displaytext.pl?RC=15488 |url-status = dead }}</ref>

Despite its widespread use, the classification has been criticized for its complexity and its limited capability for amendment. In particular, the arrangement of subheadings has been described as archaic and biased towards an Anglo-American world view.<ref name=alsc>{{cite web|last=Kaplan|first=Tali Balas|title=Done with Dewey|date=April 17, 2012|url=https://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2012/04/done-with-dewey/|publisher=ALSC|access-date=15 December 2013|archive-date=December 15, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215035323/https://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2012/04/done-with-dewey/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=udc-leichtenstein>{{cite journal|last=Fandino|first=Marta|title=UDC or DDC: A Note About the Suitable Choice for the National Library of Liechtenstein|journal=Extensions and Corrections to the UDC|year=2008|url=http://www.ukrbook.net/UDC_n/st_16.pdf|access-date=15 December 2013|archive-date=September 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120914113033/http://www.ukrbook.net/UDC_n/st_16.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> This is particularly clear in the 800s section, in which most literature, particularly from outside the United States or Europe, is relegated to the 890s particularly when contrasted with the 900s—history. In 2007&ndash;08, the [[Maricopa County Library District]] in [[Arizona]] abandoned the DDC in favor of the Book Industry Standards and Communications ([[BISAC Subject Headings|BISAC]]) system commonly used by commercial bookstores,<ref name=plo>{{cite news|last=Clarke|first=Rachel Ivy|title=Picturing Classification The Evolution and Use of Alternative Classification in Dutch Public Libraries|url=http://publiclibrariesonline.org/2013/05/picturing-classification-the-evolution-and-use-of-alternative-classification-in-dutch-public-libraries/|access-date=15 December 2013|newspaper=Public Libraries Online|date=May 7, 2013|archive-date=December 15, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131215034322/http://publiclibrariesonline.org/2013/05/picturing-classification-the-evolution-and-use-of-alternative-classification-in-dutch-public-libraries/|url-status=live}}</ref> in an effort to make its libraries more accessible for their users. Several other libraries across the United States<ref name=fister2009>{{cite journal|last=Fister|first=Barbara|title=In the search for better browsability, librarians are putting Dewey in a different class|journal=The Library Journal|date=October 1, 2009|url=http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2010/05/public-services/the-dewey-dilemma/|access-date=9 February 2014|archive-date=February 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222154311/http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2010/05/public-services/the-dewey-dilemma/|url-status=dead}}</ref> and other countries (including Canada and the Netherlands) followed suit.<ref name=plo/>

In 1932, topics relating to [[homosexuality]] were first added to the system under 132 ([[Mental disorder|mental derangements]]) and 159.9 ([[abnormal psychology]]). In 1952, homosexuality was also included under 301.424 (the study of [[sexes]] in society). In 1989, it was added to 363.49 ([[social problems]]), a classification that continues in the current edition.<ref name="Sullivan">{{cite web|last1=Sullivan|first1=Doreen|title=A brief history of homophobia in Dewey decimal classification|date=July 23, 2015 |url=https://overland.org.au/2015/07/a-brief-history-of-homophobia-in-dewey-decimal-classification/|publisher=Overland|access-date=19 December 2017|archive-date=December 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222105254/https://overland.org.au/2015/07/a-brief-history-of-homophobia-in-dewey-decimal-classification/|url-status=live}}</ref>{{As of when|date=November 2023}}

|text=Use 616.8583 for homosexuality only when the work treats homosexuality as a medical disorder, or focuses on arguing against the views of those who consider homosexuality to be a medical disorder. ... If in doubt, prefer a number other than 616.8583.

The top-level class for religion heavily favors [[Christianity]], dedicating nearly all of the 200 division to it: the world's thousands of other religions were listed under the 290s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://bpeck.com/references/ddc/ddc_mine200.htm|title=DDC -– 200 -– Religion|website=bpeck.com|access-date=2018-03-20|archive-date=March 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316152154/http://bpeck.com/references/DDC/ddc_mine200.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> For example, Islam is under just DDC 297, despite being almost as large as Christianity by population.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/04/02/397042004/muslim-population-will-surpass-christians-this-century-pew-says|title=World's Muslim Population Will Surpass Christians This Century, Pew Says|work=NPR|access-date=2018-03-20|language=en|archive-date=January 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180122125353/https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/04/02/397042004/muslim-population-will-surpass-christians-this-century-pew-says|url-status=live}}</ref> The entire 200 section has remained largely unchanged since DDC 1, since restructuring would pose a significant amount of work for existing libraries. The motivation for this change is ideological rather than technical, as appending significant figures can add space as needed.{{sfnp|Olson|2002|p=22}}