The Fei Tian Academy of the Arts California Library uses the Dewey Decimal System to organize its books. This is one of two major organizational systems typically used by libraries in the United States. The Dewey Decimal System is typically used in public libraries and in primary and secondary school libraries. The other system, established and named after the Library of Congress, is usually used by libraries at colleges and universities, in addition to many special-interest research-oriented libraries.

The Dewey Decimal System is divided into two major sections: fiction and non-fiction.

Works of fiction are based principally on imaginary places, people, and/or events, though they may sometimes be partially based on something real. Many of the books for your English class are likely to come from this section. Fiction books are indicated by the letters “FIC” on their spine. The other part of their call number consists of the first three letters of the author's last name. So for example, the call number for Mathilda by Roald Dahl would be “FIC DAH.” Books in the fiction section should always be in alphabetical order. Some fictional books for younger or less advanced readers are labeled “E” for “easy.” These are placed in their own section.

Non-Fiction

It uses numbers 000 to 999, and every 100 is assigned a broad subject. Within each 100, every set of ten numbers (such as 000 to 009.99, or 320 to 329.99) is assigned a more specific topic within the broad topic. Within each set of 10, topics become even more specific. For instance, the broad category for 500 to 599 is mathematics and natural sciences, and the specific category for 550 to 559 is earth sciences. In this way, books on similar topics stay together on the shelf.

Sometimes, non-fiction books that are frequently referenced are placed in a separate reference section. These books, labeled REF, may not be checked out and must always be used in the library. Books commonly found in the reference section are encyclopedias, dictionaries, thesauri, and almanacs, although these types of books are not always found here.

The subjects associated with each hundred can be found below:

000 – Generalities. This includes computers information (004 through 006.9). Bibliographies, encyclopedic works, magazines, and newspapers can also be classified here. Selections of books from this section are often placed in the reference section.

100 – Philosophy and Psychology. This includes subtopics such as metaphysics, logic, persuasion, paranormal phenomena, the self, the subconscious, and the unconscious.

200 – Religion. For historical reasons, the Dewey Decimal System still makes much more room for Christianity than for other religions. The system is periodically updated to reflect the needs of current information demands and availability.

300 – Social Science. Subtopics include (but are not limited to) education, culture, civil rights, economics, government, law, transportation, and etiquette. Folklore is also included in this section (398) and not in the literature section (the 800s) or the contemporary fiction section (FIC).

400 – Language. Go here for dictionaries, thesauri, grammar, and foreign language galore. Often, a few good books from this section will be kept in the reference section.

500 – Natural sciences & mathematics. Math, physics, and astronomy are here. Most books on biology are also here, but if you’re looking for books about humans and human anatomy, you’ll have better luck looking under medicine, which is in the technology (600) section.

600 – Technology. This includes subjects like engineering, medicine, farming and gardening, crafts, textiles, and cooking. Look in medicine (starting around 610) for information on humans and human anatomy.

700 – The arts. This includes sculpture, dance, drawing, painting, music, architecture, and landscape.

800 – Literature and rhetoric. Usually famous works of literature written more than about a century ago are classified in this section. More recent works tend to be classified under contemporary fiction (FIC). Some works are classified in either one or both, depending on the library.

900 – Geography and history. If you want to see a map or find out about a certain time period or historical event, look here. Sometimes a few good maps are also placed in the reference (REF) section.

Fei Tian Academy of the Arts California        101 15^th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103        Tel: (415) 431-3161        Fax: (650) 963-3585
© Fei Tian California. All Rights Reserved.