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A Classification and Subject Index for Cataloguing and Arranging the Books and Pamphlets of a Library

work by Dewey

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A Classification and Subject Index for Cataloguing and Arranging the Books and Pamphlets of a Library is the original publication by Melvil Dewey that introduced the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) system. This system, first devised in 1873, organizes library content by dividing all knowledge into 10 main groups, each assigned 100 numbers. These groups range from general works (000–099) to history, biography, and geography (900–999).12

The DDC allows for further subdivision, extending into decimal numbers for more specific subject classification. This numerical system serves as a tool for identifying and locating materials within a library, making collections more accessible to patrons. The DDC has been widely adopted in libraries worldwide and is a cornerstone of modern library science.231

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