Dewey Decimal Classification: Difference between revisions

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Dewey Decimal Classification numbers formed the basis of the [[Universal Decimal Classification]] (UDC), which combines the basic Dewey numbers with selected punctuation marks (comma, colon, parentheses, etc.). Adaptations of the system for specific regions outside the English-speaking world include the [[Korean Decimal Classification]], the [[New Classification Scheme for Chinese Libraries]], and the [[Nippon Decimal Classification]] (Japanese).<ref name=oclc>{{cite web|title=A Brief Introduction to the Dewey Decimal Classification|url=http://www.oclc.org/dewey/resources/summaries.en.html|publisher=OCLC|accessdate=16 November 2013}}</ref><ref name=asia-libraries>{{cite journal|last=Taylor|first=Insup|author2=Wang Guizhi|title=Library Systems in East Asia|journal=McLuhan Studies|url=http://projects.chass.utoronto.ca/mcluhan-studies/v1_iss6/1_6art3.htm|accessdate=16 November 2013}}</ref>

Despite its widespread usage, the classification has been criticized for its complexity and limited scope of scheme-adjustment. In particular, the arrangement of subheadings has been described as archaic and as being biased towards an Anglo-American world view.<ref name=alsc>{{cite web|last=Kaplan|first=Tali Balas|title=Done with Dewey|url=http://www.alsc.ala.org/blog/2012/04/done-with-dewey/|publisher=ALSC|accessdate=15 December 2013}}</ref><ref name=udc-leichtenstein>{{cite journal|last=Fandino|first=Marta|title=UDC or DDC: a note about the suitable choice for the National Library of Liechtenstein|journal=Extensions and Corrections to the UDC|year=2008|url=http://www.ukrbook.net/UDC_n/st_16.pdf|accessdate=15 December 2013}}</ref> In 2007&ndash;08, the [[Maricopa County Library District]] in [[Arizona]], abandoned the DDC in favor of the Book Industry Standards and Communications ([[BISAC]]) system, one that is commonly used by commercial bookstores,<ref name=plo>{{cite news|last=Clarke|first=Rachel Ivy|title=Picturing Classification The Evolution and Use of Alternative Classification in Dutch Public Libraries|url=http://publiclibrariesonline.org/2013/05/picturing-classification-the-evolution-and-use-of-alternative-classification-in-dutch-public-libraries/|accessdate=15 December 2013|newspaper=Public Libraries Online|date=May 7, 2013}}</ref> in an effort to make their libraries more accessible for patrons. Several other libraries across the United States,<ref name=fister2009>{{cite journal|last=Fister|first=Barbara|title=In the search for better browsability, librarians are putting Dewey in a different class|journal=The Library Journal|date=October 1, 2009|url=http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2010/05/public-services/the-dewey-dilemma/|accessdate=9 February 2014}}</ref> and other countries (including Canada and Thethe Netherlands) followed suit.<ref name=plo/> The classification has also been criticized as being a [[proprietary name|proprietary]] system licensed by a single entity (OCLC), making it expensive to adopt. However, book classification critic Justin Newlan stands by the Dewey Decimal System, stating newer, more advanced book classification systems "are too confusing to understand for newcomers".<ref name=pla-blog>{{cite news|last=McCarthy|first=Laena|title=New Classification System for Public Libraries?|url=http://plablog.org/2009/01/new-classification-system-for-public-libraries.html|accessdate=15 December 2013|newspaper=The Public Library Association Blog|date=January 2009}}</ref>

== See also ==