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WebDewey/Abridged WebDewey August 2005 Quarterly Update

WebDewey and Abridged WebDewey are updated quarterly. Both services contain the latest version of the schedules, tables, Manual, and Relative Index entries from their respective enhanced DDC databases. The hierarchical displays in WebDewey and Abridged WebDewey feature updated main class and division captions (e.g., 700 Arts & recreation; 790 Sports, games & entertainment).

The following interface change is available after the August 21, 2005 release:

  • Link to your OPAC - easily send a DDC search from WebDewey (and Abridged WebDewey) to your web-based OPAC. See below for details.

WebDewey is a web-based version of the enhanced DDC 22 database. This August 2005 release includes:

  • Updated PPT mappings to Edition 22 numbers in the religion class (200s)
  • all updates to Dewey Decimal Classification, Edition 22, through June 2005 (corrections, new developments, new built numbers, and additional electronic index terms)
  • thousands of Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) that have been statistically mapped to Dewey numbers from records in WorldCat (the OCLC Online Union Catalog) and intellectually mapped by DDC editors (through LCSH Weekly List no. 37, 2004)
  • thousands of Relative Index terms and built numbers not available in print
  • links from mapped LCSH to the LCSH authority records
  • selected mappings from Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)

Abridged WebDewey is a web-based version of the enhanced Abridged 14 database. This August 2005 release includes:

  • all content from Abridged Edition 14, through June 2005
  • LCSH that have been intellectually mapped to Dewey headings by DDC editors, including mappings to Abridged Edition 13 numbers from the OCLC publication, Subject Headings for Children
  • links from mapped LCSH to the LCSH authority records
  • mappings between abridged Dewey numbers and the 2005 update to the 18th edition of H.W. Wilson's Sears List of Subject Headings

Link to OPAC Enhancement

What this feature does—Links to your OPAC and sends a DDC number, allowing you to search library catalogs for DDC numbers from within WebDewey.

How to set up this feature—Your OPAC must recognize a DDC number within the URL syntax. Example: the OPAC URL for a call number search at Capital University ( Columbus , Ohio ) is http://charli.capital.edu/search/c. To search for the DDC number [DDC#], WebDewey sends: http://charli.capital.edu/search/c[DDC#]. Your system may require more complex syntax. If you need help with setup, contact your system administrator for the URL, index identifier, and syntax required for call number searches in your OPAC.

To make use of this feature, you must first set your preferences. To do this, while logged on to Connexion, go to the General tab -> Preferences -> Dewey Services Options -> OPAC Options.

  1. In the input box, paste or type the URL that's used in your OPAC for a call number search. If you frequently search more than one OPAC, you can store up to two URLs in preferences; the feature routes to the call number index of the OPAC you've selected as your preferred default OPAC. Because the URL may be rather long, the text you enter is repeated below the input box so that you can check the accuracy of the URL in its entirety.
  2. Before you save the URL, you can enter a DDC number that you expect to find in your OPAC and test the feature in preferences. If you have trouble, you may want to consult with your systems administrator to determine which URL to use for a call number search. Please see General WebDewey Frequently Asked Questions for details on troubleshooting.


  3. After clicking the "Test" button, a new window appears that automatically sends your test search (372.87) to the catalog you defined at the OPAC Options input box (in this case, Vancouver Island Regional Library's online catalog).


  4. After you set your preferences, click on the OPAC button, and Dewey Services automatically sends a search from any schedule record to your OPAC. You can also use the keystroke, <Alt></>.


  5. The search for 995.601 was automatically sent to the call number index of the database specified in preferences (in this case, the University of Newcastle, Australia).


  6. When you search WebDewey for valid built numbers that are not found in the DDC authority file (WebDewey or Abridged WebDewey), you can now easily check the number in another OPAC database. For example, you search WebDewey for 796.3320973, but the number isn't found. You know it's a valid built number, so you decide to check your local OPAC to see if the number has been used there. Use the keystroke <Alt></> or click the "Search OPAC for Dewey Number Above" button.


  7. The search for 796.3320973 was automatically sent to the database you defined in user preferences (in this case, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where the number has been used in the catalog).

The next Dewey Services quarterly release is scheduled for November 2005. Details about WebDewey enhancements are available here.

Our WebDewey tutorial was recently improved: it's easier to access, it loads faster, and you can even print it. For details, see our Try the Tutorial tip.