This leaflet is available in other formats on request. 425_1671 / September 2017

At Northumbria University Library we use the Dewey Decimal Classification to organise our books in a logical order based on subject matter, so that they can be easily retrieved. This guide will demonstrate how a shelfmark is created for the topic ’motivation to learn’.

000 Computer Science, information and general works 100 Philosophy and psychology 200 Religion 300 Social sciences 400 Language 500 Pure Science 600 Technology 700 Arts and recreation 800 Literature 900 History and geography

Dewey Decimal Classification divides knowledge into 10 main categories. In this instance the broad topic would be Social sciences.

300 Social Sciences 310 General statistics

320 Political science

330 Economics

340 Law

350 Public administration

360 Social services; associations

370 Education

380 Commerce, communications, transport

390 Customs, etiquette, folklore

Each category is then divided into 10 sub categories. In this instance the sub category is Education.

370 Education

370.1 Philosophy and theory

370.2 Miscellany

370.6 Organisations

370.7 Education, research, related topics

Each sub category is further divided into more specific topics. The more specific topic is Philosophy and theory.

370.1 Philosophy and theory, education for specific

objectives, educational psychology

370.11 Education for specific objectives

370.12 Classification and philosophical foundations

370.13 Value of education

370.14 Communication

370.15 Educational psychology

370.151 Differential psychology

370.152 Conscious mental processes and intelligence

370.153 Personality and emotions

370.154 Motivation to learn

370.155 Perception, movement, psychological drives

As the subject divisions become more in-depth the numbers become longer. Within the topic Educational psychology we now find Motivation to learn.

How does Dewey Decimal Classification work?

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This leaflet is available in other formats on request. 425_1671 / September 2017

Please note, there are some exceptions to the Dewey classification system within the subject area of Pure Science (500s) and Technology (600s). Please read the signs that appear at the end of the shelving bays and if you need any further help finding your books ask a member of staff at an Ask4Help point.

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Each copy of a book has its own classification number printed on the label on the bottom edge, or spine, of the book. This number is called the shelfmark. If you find a book of interest at one shelfmark you will also find books on the same or similar topics on nearby shelves. The three letters after the numbers are either the first three letters of the author’s name or, if the book has been compiled by an editor, the first three letters of the title of the book. 940.5342

NIC 940.5342NIC

The rows of shelving at Northumbria University Library have six bays and the books are ordered from top to bottom.

Browse along each shelf down to the bottom of the bay. The sequence continues at the top of the next bay and carries on in this format to the end of the row.