Why Dewey still use Dewey?
Ah, the Dewey Decimal System. First developed by Melvil Dewey in 1873 and published in 1876, it was the most comprehensive library classification system of its time. Instead of the previously chaotic method of arranging books by height and acquisition date (yes, really), Dewey introduced a system that actually made sense—grouping books by subject. Imagine trying to find a book using the old method. What an absolute nightmare.
Dewey’s system organizes knowledge into ten broad categories, each further divided into ten divisions, and then again into ten sections.
The breakdown is as follows:
Here's an example for pet cats:
Meanwhile, wild cats like lions and tigers fall under 599.75 in the 500s (Science) section because they’re classified under zoology instead of pet care.
Funny how Dewey decided that the care of a housecat is “technology,” but lions belong in “science,” right?
In The Trouble with Dewey, Elisabeth Gattullo Marrocolla highlights several issues:
Is it flawed? Absolutely.
Does it have biases? Without a doubt.
Am I going to change it? Nope.
Here’s why:
Dewey’s system organizes knowledge into ten broad categories, each further divided into ten divisions, and then again into ten sections.
The breakdown is as follows:
000 - Computer science, information, and general works100 - Philosophy and psychology200 - Religion300 - Social sciences400 - Language500 - Science600 - Technology700 - Arts and recreation800 - Literature900 - History and geography
Here's an example for pet cats:
600 – Technology (Because caring for animals is considered an applied science.)636 – Animal husbandry (Domesticated animals and their care.)636.8 – Cats (All things related to domestic cats.)636.80092 – Biographies of famous cats (Yes, this exists!)636.808 – Cat breeds (Different types of cats, like Maine Coons or Siamese.)636.8083 – Cat behavior and training (How to train your cat...or how your cat trains you.)636.8089 – Cat health and veterinary care (Medical care for felines.)636.809 – Fun books about cats (Cat trivia, myths, and fun facts.)
Meanwhile, wild cats like lions and tigers fall under 599.75 in the 500s (Science) section because they’re classified under zoology instead of pet care.
Funny how Dewey decided that the care of a housecat is “technology,” but lions belong in “science,” right?
The trouble with Dewey
While the Dewey Decimal System is a useful organizational tool, it’s far from perfect. Critics point to its complexity, outdated classifications, and inherent biases—particularly regarding marginalized groups and certain subjects.In The Trouble with Dewey, Elisabeth Gattullo Marrocolla highlights several issues:
“Racist and sexist, it classifies ‘women’s work’ separately from jobs, and African American culture separately from American culture. It puts the ‘working animals,’ such as cows, sheep, and horses, in an entirely separate category from animals including lions and tigers, a distinction that may have made sense at the turn of the century but is unhelpful at best today. One could Dewey-classify fiction but not graphic novels. Diseases are separate from their cures. Boats are found hundreds of decimals away from the sinking of the Titanic.”
The 200s and 300s are particularly problematic. Anna Gooding-Call, in her Book Riot article Racism in the Dewey Decimal System, explains:
“The 200s encompass all religion, nominally, although the problems with this premise are obvious. Each Dewey heading encompasses ten major subjects, dividing each up by subtopics that add digits to the end of the number. Six of the ten subjects in the 200s are explicitly for Christianity-related subjects. Three of those remaining are either explicitly or implicitly Judeo-Christian. Finally, at the bottom of the heap, the 290s cover ‘other’ religions. Islam, Baha’i, and Babism all get to share 297. Germanic religions get 293. All ‘religions of Indic origin,’ in other words Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism, get to share 294. Hinduism gets all of 294.5 to itself. How generous!”
The 300s aren’t much better. When homosexuality was first included in the system, it was classified under 132 (mental derangements) and 159.9 (abnormal psychology). In 1989, it was moved to 363.49 (social problems)—a classification that remains in the current edition of Dewey.
Why we still use it (even with its flaws)
Despite being nearly 150 years old, the Dewey Decimal System is still widely used in libraries today—including mine. And you know what? It works. It allows me to organize sections in a way that helps my K-8th grade patrons easily find what they need.Is it flawed? Absolutely.
Does it have biases? Without a doubt.
Am I going to change it? Nope.
Here’s why:
- It’s universally used in libraries worldwide.
- It works for libraries of any size.
- It’s well-supported and established.
- It can be modified, if needed or desired.
Fun fact!
Last year, my district had ESSER funds for additional clubs, so I created the Dewey Decimators Club—where 4th and 5th graders stayed after school twice a month to help out in the library. And hey, the system may be outdated, but at least my students are still excited about it!Sources
Gooding-Call, A. (2021, September 17). Racism in the Dewey Decimal System. Book Riot. https://bookriot.com/racism-in-the-dewey-decimal-system/
Marrocolla, E. G. G. (2019, October 1). The Trouble with Dewey. School Library Journal. https://www.slj.com/story/The-Trouble-with-Dewey-libraries#articleComment
Wikipedia contributors. (2025, February 14). Dewey Decimal Classification. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved March 14, 2025. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dewey_Decimal_Classification&oldid=1275636410
Yes, this librarian cited Wikipedia as a source. 🤷♀️
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