A Classification and Subject Index for Cataloguing and Arranging the Books and…

(16 User reviews)   7106
By Betty Young Posted on Dec 25, 2025
In Category - Online Safety
Dewey, Melvil, 1851-1931 Dewey, Melvil, 1851-1931
English
Ever wonder why every library you've ever visited organizes books in basically the same way? The answer is in this surprisingly fascinating little manual from 1876. It's not a novel, but the story behind it is a genuine mystery of human chaos. Before this book, finding a specific volume in a library was a maddening treasure hunt with no map. Melvil Dewey, a college student at the time, looked at that mess and said, 'We can do better.' This book is his revolutionary solution—the Dewey Decimal System. It’s a story about one person’s obsession with order changing how the entire world accesses knowledge. It’s drier than dust on the surface, but the impact is absolutely thrilling.
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economically than by any other method which he has been able to find. The system was devised for cataloguing and indexing purposes, but it was found on trial to be equally valuable for numbering and arranging books and pamphlets on the shelves. The library is first divided into nine special libraries which are called Classes. These Classes are Philosophy, Theology, &c., and are numbered with the nine digits. Thus Class 9 is the Library of History; Class 7, the Library of Fine Art; Class 2, the Library of Theology. These special libraries or Classes are then considered independently, and each one is separated again into nine special Divisions of the main subject. These Divisions are numbered from 1 to 9 as were the Classes. Thus 59 is the 9th Division (Zoology) of the 5th Class (Natural Science). A final division is then made by separating each of these Divisions into nine Sections which are numbered in the same way, with the nine digits. Thus 513 is the 3d Section (Geometry) of the 1st Division (Mathematics) of the 5th Class (Natural Science). This number, giving Class, Division, and Section, is called the Classification or Class Number, and is applied to every book or pamphlet belonging to the library. All the Geometries are thus numbered 513, all the Mineralogies 549, and so throughout the library, all the books on any given subject bear the number of that subject in the scheme. Where a 0 occurs in a class number, it has its normal zero power. Thus, a book numbered 510, is Class 5, Division 1, but _no_ Section. This signifies that the book treats of the Division 51 (Mathematics) in general, and is not limited to any one Section, as is the Geometry, marked 513. If marked 500, it would indicate a treatise on Science in general, limited to _no_ Division. A zero occurring in the first place would in the same way show that the book is limited to _no_ Class. The classification is mainly made by subjects or content regardless of _form_; but it is found practically useful to make an additional distinction in these general treatises, according to the form of treatment adopted. Thus, in Science we have a large number of books treating of Science in general, and so having a 0 for the Division number. These books are then divided into Sections, as are those of the other Classes according to the form they have taken on. We have the Philosophy and History of Science, Scientific Compends, Dictionaries, Essays, Periodicals, Societies, Education, and Travels,--all having the common subject, =NATURAL SCIENCE=, but treating it in these varied forms. These form distinctions are introduced here because the number of general works is large, and the numerals allow of this division, without extra labor for the numbers from 501 to 509 would otherwise be unused. They apply _only_ to the general treatises, which, without them, would have a class number ending with two zeros. A Dictionary of Mathematics is 510, not 503, for every book is assigned to the _most specific head that will contain it_, so that 503 is limited to Dictionaries or Cyclopedias of Science _in general_. In the same way a General Cyclopedia or Periodical treats of no one class, and so is assigned to the Class 0. These books treating of no special class, but general in their character, are divided into Cyclopedias, Periodicals, etc. No difficulty is found in following the arithmetical law and omitting the initial zero, so these numbers are printed 31, 32, etc., instead of 031, 032, etc. The selection and arrangement...

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Okay, let's be clear: this is not a page-turner in the traditional sense. You won't find any car chases or love triangles here. 'A Classification and Subject Index...' is a rulebook. It's the original instruction manual for the Dewey Decimal System. The 'plot' is the system itself: a simple but brilliant idea to assign every possible subject a number, from 000 to 999, so that books on the same topic sit together on the shelf. Philosophy gets the 100s, Religion the 200s, and so on. Dewey's goal was to replace the chaotic, unique systems of every individual library with one universal language of organization.

Why You Should Read It

Reading it gives you a weird kind of superpower. Suddenly, you understand the hidden logic behind every public library shelf. You see Dewey's fingerprints everywhere. Beyond the numbers, it's a snapshot of a 19th-century mind trying to categorize all human thought. Some of the categories are charmingly dated, which is fun to spot. Mostly, it's inspiring to see how a practical solution to a boring problem (shelving books) removed a huge barrier to learning for millions of people.

Final Verdict

This is a niche read, but a rewarding one. Perfect for librarians, trivia lovers, and anyone fascinated by the silent structures that shape our daily lives. If you've ever felt a spark of joy from a well-organized bookshelf or appreciated finding exactly what you needed at the library, this is the origin story. Don't read it cover-to-cover; dip into it. See how Dewey tried to box up the universe. You'll never look at a library the same way again.



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Andrew Robinson
2 weeks ago

This book was worth my time since the character development leaves a lasting impact. I would gladly recommend this title.

John Lee
1 year ago

Not bad at all.

Robert Jones
1 year ago

Finally found time to read this!

Nancy Martin
6 months ago

Perfect.

Deborah Garcia
1 year ago

Honestly, the author's voice is distinct and makes complex topics easy to digest. I couldn't put it down.

5
5 out of 5 (16 User reviews )

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