One of the best ways to learn to read the DDC numbers is by reviewing and comparing examples of books in different subject areas. The following examples are books from the WCSU Curriculum Collection.
Example 1
Ryan, Pam Munoz. When Marian Sang. Juv. Coll. 782.1 R957w
Focus on the 782.1 number, and disregard the rest of the call number for now.
The first digit in each three-digit number represents the main class.
7 00 represents fine arts
The second digit in each three-digit number indicates the division.
78 0 represents music
The third digit in each three-digit number indicates the section.
782 represents dramatic music & production of musical drama
A decimal point follows the third digit in a class number. Digits following the decimal point indicate further specificity.
782.1 represents opera
Example 2
MacDonald, Fiona. Inside Story: A Medieval Castle. Juv. Coll. 940.1 M145M
900 represents general geography & history
940 represents general history of Europe
940.1 Middle Ages 476-1453
Example 3
Wilkinson, Philip. Buddhism: Explore the Teachings and Traditions of this Ancient Religion. Juv. Coll. 294.3 W6596b
200 represents religion
290 represents other & comparative religion
294 represents religions of Indic origin
294.3 Buddhism
Example 4
Hartley, Karen. Hearing in Living Things. Juv. Coll. 573.8 H255.3h
500 represents pure sciences
570 represents life sciences
573 represents physical anthropology
573.8 Nervous & sensory systems
Example 5
Gadi Mirrabooka: Australian Aboriginal Tales from the Dreaming. Juv. Coll. 398.2 G1175a
300 represents social sciences
390 represents customs & folklore
398 represents folklore
398.2 folk literature
Example 6
Simons, Seymour. Oceans. Juv. Coll. 551.46 Si55o
500 represents pure sciences
550 represents earth sciences
551 represents geology, hydrology, meteorology
551.4 represents geomorphology & hydrosphere, water
551.46 Oceans, oceanography
Examples of Science Call Number Structure
Science and Technology
500 represents natural sciences and mathematics.
500 is used for general works in the sciences, 510 for mathematics, 520 for astronomy, 530 for physics.
530 is used for general works on physics, 531 for classical mechanics, 532 for fluid mechanics, 533 for gas mechanics.
Applied Sciences
6 00 Technology (Applied Sciences)
63 0 Agriculture and related technologies
636 Animal husbandry
636.7 Dogs
636.8 Cats
