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{{short description|Library classification system}}
{{Redirect-distinguish|Dewey Decimal|Duodecimal}}
{{Redirect|The Dewey Decimal System|the novel by Nathan Larson|The Dewey Decimal System (novel){{!}}''The Dewey Decimal System'' (novel)}}
[[File:HK Wan Chai Library Inside Bookcase a.jpg|thumb|200px|A [[library]] bookshelf in [[Hong Kong]] classified using the [[New Classification Scheme for Chinese Libraries]], an adaptation of the Dewey Classification scheme]]
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2011}}
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|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609092439/https://www.oclc.org/content/dam/oclc/dewey/versions/print/intro.pdf |archive-date=Jun 9, 2022
}} Section 4.14 of the article states the DDC is "arranged by discipline, not subject"</ref>
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 [[
The [[decimal]] number classification introduced the concepts of ''relative location'' and ''relative index''. Libraries previously had given books permanent shelf locations that were related to the order of acquisition rather than topic. The classification's notation makes use of three-digit numbers for main classes, with fractional decimals allowing expansion for further detail. Numbers are flexible to the degree that they can be expanded in linear fashion to cover special aspects of general subjects.<ref>Chapter 17 in {{cite book |last1=Joudrey|first1=Daniel N.|last2=Taylor|first2=Arlene G.|last3=Miller|first3=David P.|title=Introduction to Cataloging and Classification|date=2015|publisher=Libraries Unlimited/ABC-CLIO|location=Santa Barbara, CA|edition=11th|isbn = 978-1-59884-856-4}}</ref> A library assigns a classification number that unambiguously locates a particular volume in a position relative to other books in the library, on the basis of its subject. The number makes it possible to find any book and to return it to its proper place on the library shelves.<ref group="Note">Consider as an example a book on the network protocol IPv6. It will be located at 004.62, after general networking books (004.6) but before peripherals (004.7). It can thus be placed on the shelf in the correct location.</ref> The classification system is used in 200,000 libraries in at least 135 countries.<ref>{{cite web
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Melvil Dewey edited the first three editions of the classification system and oversaw the revisions of all editions until his death in 1931. May Seymour became editor in 1891 and served until her death in 1921. She was followed by [[Jennie Dorcas Fellows|Dorcas Fellows]], who was editor until her death in 1938. Constantin J. Mazney edited the 14th edition. Milton Ferguson functioned as editor from 1949 to 1951. The 16th edition in 1958 was edited under an agreement between the Library of Congress and Forest Press, with David Haykin as director.<ref name=timeline>{{cite web|title= Timeline|url= https://www.oclc.org/dewey/about/timeline.en.html|publisher= OCLC|access-date= 8 December 2013|archive-date= December 11, 2013|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131211224834/https://www.oclc.org/dewey/about/timeline.en.html|url-status= live}}</ref> Editions 16–19 were edited by [[Benjamin A. Custer]] and the editor of edition 20 was John P. Comaromi. Joan Mitchell was editor until 2013, covering editions 21 to 23.<ref>{{harvp|Chan|2007|p=323}}</ref> In 2013 Michael Panzer of OCLC became Editor-in-Chief.<ref name=mitchell-oclc>{{cite news|last= Mitchell|first= Joan|title= Michael Panzer named Editor-in-Chief of the Dewey Decimal Classification system|url= https://www.oclc.org/news/releases/2013/20134.en.html|access-date= 17 November 2013|newspaper= OCLC Press Release|date= 24 January 2013|archive-date= September 6, 2013|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130906014506/https://www.oclc.org/news/releases/2013/20134.en.html|url-status= live}}</ref> The Dewey Editorial Program Manager since 2016 has been Rebecca Green.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ddc.typepad.com/025431/2016/07/a.html|title=Announcing Dr. Rebecca Green as new Dewey Editorial Program Manager|website=025.431: The Dewey blog|access-date=2018-05-22|archive-date=May 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180523011434/https://ddc.typepad.com/025431/2016/07/a.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
Dewey himself held copyright in editions 1 to 6 (1876–1919). Copyright in editions 7–10 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]]
The OCLC has maintained the classification since 1988, and also publishes new editions of the system. The editorial staff responsible for updates is based partly at the [[Library of Congress]] and partly at OCLC. Their work is reviewed by the Decimal Classification Editorial Policy Committee, a ten-member international board which meets twice each year. The four-volume unabridged edition was published approximately every six years, with the last edition (DDC 23) published in mid-2011.<ref name=oclc-latest>{{cite web|title= Latest versions|url= https://www.oclc.org/dewey/versions.en.html|publisher= OCLC|access-date= 8 December 2013|archive-date= December 8, 2013|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131208090827/https://www.oclc.org/dewey/versions.en.html|url-status= live}}</ref> In 2017 the editorial staff announced that the English edition of DDC will no longer be printed, in favor of using the frequently updated WebDewey.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ddc.typepad.com/025431/2017/08/dewey-print-editions.html|title=Dewey Print Editions|website=025.431: The Dewey blog|access-date=2018-05-22|archive-date=May 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180523011407/https://ddc.typepad.com/025431/2017/08/dewey-print-editions.html|url-status=live}}</ref> An experimental version of Dewey in [[Resource Description Framework|RDF]] was previously available at dewey.info beginning in 2009,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://old.datahub.io/dataset/dewey_decimal_classification|title=Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) - the Datahub|website=old.datahub.io|language=en|access-date=2018-05-22|archive-date=May 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180523095447/https://old.datahub.io/dataset/dewey_decimal_classification|url-status=live}}</ref> but has not been available since 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.oclc.org/developer/news/2015/dewey-down.en.html|title=Change to Dewey Web Services {{!}} OCLC Developer Network|website=www.oclc.org|language=en|access-date=2018-05-22|date=2015-06-15|archive-date=May 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180523011138/https://www.oclc.org/developer/news/2015/dewey-down.en.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
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In 1996, homosexuality was added to 306.7 ([[sexual relations]]); this remains the preferred location in the current edition. Although books can also be found under 616.8583 (sexual practices viewed as medical disorders), the official direction states:<ref name="Sullivan"/>
{{blockquote
|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
}}
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== See also ==
* [[Comparison of Dewey and Library of Congress subject classification]]
* [[List of Dewey Decimal classes]]
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