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It's time to celebrate the Dewey Decimal System on December 10th – a day dedicated to honoring one of the most important library classification systems in the world! The Dewey Decimal System is an organizational tool used to classify books into ten broad categories that make it easier for librarians, teachers and students alike to quickly find the material they need. It was first developed by Melvil Dewey in 1876 and has since become an invaluable part of libraries all over the world. This day is not only a great way to recognize its importance, but also a good reminder to take advantage of all those resources our libraries have to offer!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1876</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Dewey Decimal System Invention</div><div class='timeline-text'>Melvil Dewey invents the Dewey Decimal Classification system to organize books and other materials in libraries.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1885</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Dewey Decimals Copyrighted</div><div class='timeline-text'>Melvil Dewey copyrights the decimal classification system, which later becomes known as the Dewey Decimal System.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1988</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>OCLC Ownership</div><div class='timeline-text'>OCLC Online Computer Library Center, a nonprofit library cooperative, acquires the rights to the Dewey Decimal System.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2003</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Library of Congress Adopts Dewey</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Library of Congress begins using the Dewey Decimal System for its Children's collection.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2013</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>23rd Edition Released</div><div class='timeline-text'>The 23rd edition of the Dewey Decimal Classification is published by OCLC.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Organize your library</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take some time and use the Dewey Decimal System to organize your home library. This will make it easier for you to find books when you need them.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Visit the library</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Head to your local library and explore the shelves. Learn more about the Dewey Decimal System and how it is used in libraries around the world.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create a book display</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Design a book display based on the Dewey Decimal System. Choose books from each category and arrange them in order using the DDS.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Go on a scavenger hunt</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Hide books around your house and have family and friends search for them using the Dewey Decimal System as their guide.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Start a book club</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Organize a book club based on the Dewey Decimal System categories. Each month, members can read from one of the 10 categories.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It Helps Librarians Make Informed Decisions</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>The Dewey Decimal System helps librarians organize and find books more quickly, which allows them to make better decisions about what materials should go in the library and where they should be placed. With this system, it's easier for librarians to ensure that patrons have access to the latest titles and niche topics as well as older, classic books.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It Keeps Library Shelves Organized</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>The Dewey Decimal System makes it easy to keep library shelves organized by placing books into logical categories. This helps library visitors easily find what they're looking for instead of wasting time trying to search through a disorganized shelf of books!</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It Improves Accessibility</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>By organizing libraries according to the Dewey Decimal System, accessibility for all types of individuals is improved. People with low vision or physical disabilities can more easily locate books on the correct shelves due to their familiarity with the organization scheme. The same goes for people who are unfamiliar with the Dewey system – because it’s laid out in an orderly fashion, even first time visitors can quickly and accurately find what they need.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Dewey Decimal System: A Global Classification Standard</h3><p class='facts-content'>With variants of the Dewey Decimal System used in more than 135 countries, it truly serves as a global standard to categorize human knowledge in libraries.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Melvil Dewey: An Advocate for English Spelling Reform</h3><p class='facts-content'>Melvil Dewey, inventor of the Dewey Decimal System, was also a lifelong advocate for a reform of English spelling system. He founded the Spelling Reform Association in 1886.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Dewey Decimal System is Regularly Updated</h3><p class='facts-content'>The system is not static but regularly updated. The latest full edition (23rd) was published in 2011, with supplements released periodically to ensure the system reflects changes in knowledge and society.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Dewey Decimal System Uses Numerical Notation</h3><p class='facts-content'>The Dewey Decimal System uses a combination of Arabic numerals and decimal notation. This allows for flexibility and expandability to cover new subject areas that emerge over time.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Dewey Decimal System: An Integral Part of Library Training</h3><p class='facts-content'>The understanding and use of the Dewey Decimal System is an integral part of the training for librarians, reflecting its significance in modern librarianship.</p></div></div>
Dewey Decimal System Day is celebrated on December 10 every year. In 2024 Dewey Decimal System Day will occur on a Tuesday.
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Dec 10
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