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Dewey Training Courses

We are developing an online set of DDC training materials focused on the needs of experienced librarians who need Dewey application training. (We hope they will also be useful as supplementary materials in other Dewey training contexts, e.g., teaching Dewey to LIS students.) The materials will include a basic course on the structure and use of the DDC, plus a series of short modules based on special topics (including a general overview).

We are planning to make all course materials available on the Dewey web site at no charge. The presentations and exercises assume the availability of the latest version of the DDC database (i.e., WebDewey), and a professor, trainer, and/or experienced Dewey user for offering explanations and fielding questions. Other interested parties may have access to course materials, but may need to consult an expert directly for background information and additional assistance. Note that WebDewey access is provided without cost as part of OCLC's Library and Information Science Education Program. Others currently without access to WebDewey can sign up for access on a 30-day trial basis.

The tables below contain links for modules and related materials that are available for immediate review. We expect to make additional modules and related materials available shortly. The tables also contain links to the descriptions of each module on the Dewey blog. We welcome comments directly on the blog entry for each module. If you prefer to send us comments privately, please send them to dewey@loc.gov with the subject line of the module and we will summarize them on the Dewey blog.

Basic course

Module and related materials Blog entry Duration
Technical Introduction to the DDC
Exercises for Technical Introduction		 link 2.5 hour
1 hour
WebDewey: Basics link 1 hour
Introduction to Table 1
Exercises for Table 1		 link 1 hour
1 hour
Introduction to 000, 100, 200
Exercises for 000, 100, 200		 link 1 hour
1 hour
Introduction to 300 and Table 5
Exercises for 300 and Table 5		 link 2 hours
1.5 hours
Introduction to 400 and Tables 4 and 6
Exercises for 400 and Tables 4 and 6		 link 1 hour
1 hour
Introduction to 500 & 600
Exercises for 500 & 600		   1 hour
1 hour
Introduction to 700
Exercises for 700		 link 1 hour
1 hour
Introduction to 800 and Table 3
Exercises for 800 and Table 3		 link 2 hours
2 hours
Introduction to 900 and Table 2
Exercises for 900 and Table 2		 link 1 hour
1 hour

Short modules

Module and related materials Blog entry Duration
Introduction to the DDC
(Includes general overview of the DDC, use of the system, tools, latest research. Updated frequently to include latest DDC information.)		   1 hour
Technical Introduction to the DDC* (Refresher)
Exercises for Technical Introduction		 link 2.5 hours
1 hour
Choice of Number Review
Exercises for Choice of Number Review		 link .5 hour
.5 hour
Number Building: Add Tables
Exercises for Number Building: Add Tables		 link 1 hour
1 hour
Classifying Special Types of Materials with Dewey*
(Biographies, editions, serials, conferences, etc.)
Exercises for Classifying Special Types of Materials with Dewey		   1 hour

1 hour
WebDewey: Advanced   1 hour
Notation in Call Numbers
(Cutter numbers [arrange alphabetically, main entry], basic shelflisting, MARC coding)		   1 hour

* Also addressed in Basic Course