A Classification and Subject Index for Cataloguing and Arranging the Books and Pamphlets of a Library eBook
Melvil Dewey
In his varied reading, correspondence, and conversation
on the subject, the author doubtless received suggestions
and gained ideas which it is now impossible for him
to acknowledge. Perhaps the most fruitful source
of ideas was the Nuovo Sistema di Catalogo Bibliografico
Generale of Natale Battezzati, of Milan.
Certainly he is indebted to this system adopted by
the Italian publishers in 1871, though he has copied
nothing from it. The plan of the St. Louis Public
School Library, and that of the Apprentices’
Library of New York, which in some respects resemble
his own, were not seen till all the essential features
were decided upon, though not given to the public.
In filling the nine classes of the scheme the inverted
Baconian arrangement of the St. Louis Library has been
followed. The author has no desire to claim original
invention for any part of his system where another
has been before him, and would most gladly make specific
acknowledgment of every aid and suggestion were it
in his power to do so. With these general explanations
and acknowledgments he submits the scheme, hoping
it may prove as useful to others as it has to himself.
AMHERST COLLEGE LIBRARY,
June 10th, 1876.
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*
Those interested will find fuller explanations and
remarks in the Library volume now being printed by
the Bureau of Education at Washington.
(GENERAL)
PHILOSOPHY,
THEOLOGY,
SOCIOLOGY,
PHILOLOGY,
NATURAL SCIENCE,
USEFUL ARTS,
FINE ARTS,
LITERATURE,
HISTORY.
DIVISIONS.
(GENERAL)
= 0= 10 BIBLIOGRAPHY. 20 BOOK RARITIES. 30
GENERAL CYCLOPEDIAS. 40 POLYGRAPHY. 50 GENERAL
PERIODICALS. 60 GENERAL SOCIETIES. 70 80 90
=100 Philosophy.= 110 METAPHYSICS. 120 130 ANTHROPOLOGY.
140 SCHOOLS OF PSYCHOLOGY. 150 MENTAL FACULTIES.
160 LOGIC. 170 ETHICS. 180 ANCIENT PHILOSOPHIES.
190 MODERN PHILOSOPHIES.
=200 Theology.= 210 NATURAL THEOLOGY. 220 BIBLE.
230 DOCTRINAL THEOLOGY. 240 PRACTICAL AND DEVOTIONAL.
250 HOMILETICAL AND PASTORAL. 260 INSTITUTIONS AND
MISSIONS. 270 ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY. 280 CHRISTIAN
SECTS. 290 NON-CHRISTIAN RELIGIONS.
=300 Sociology.= 310 STATISTICS. 320 POLITICAL
SCIENCE. 330 POLITICAL ECONOMY. 340 LAW. 350
ADMINISTRATION. 360 ASSOCIATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS.
370 EDUCATION. 380 COMMERCE AND COMMUNICATION.
390 CUSTOMS AND COSTUMES.