Goldsmiths Library Answers

Each book is assigned a classmark/ shelfmark number, usually found on the spine of the book. The Goldsmiths University Library uses the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) system to arrange it's books on the shelves, making them logical and easy to locate.

The Dewey system is subject based, which means that books are organised in numerical order according to their subject. The ten broad subjects are:

000  Computer science, information and general works
100  Philosophy and psychology
200  Religion
300  Social sciences
400  Language
500  Science
600  Technology
700  Arts and recreation
800  Literature
900  History and geography

A classmark or shelfmark consists of three parts:

1. Three numbers before the decimal point
2. Numbers after the decimal point
3. Three letters, usually the first three letters of the author’s or editor’s surname

The first three digits indicate the broad subject area and are shelved in numerical order. For example, 701 is shelved before 702.

The numbers after the decimal point indicate a more specific subsection of the subject and are also shelved numerically. For example, 701.36 is shelved before 701.4631.

Once books are in the correct numerical position, those with the same classmark are arranged alphabetically by the three letters following the Dewey number, which also help you to locate the exact book on the shelf. The Dewey Decimal number is listed in the catalogue and is sometimes called the class number, so it is important to note both the number and the letters, for example 909.0496 MAN.