DEWEY SERVICES
WebDewey is the electronic version of the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) system. It is a full representation of all published numbers, plus other mappings and new terms that have been approved by the Dewey Editorial Policy Committee (EPC). It puts the power of the world’s most widely used library classification system in the hands of metadata managers to efficiently organize their collection(s).
WebDewey is the easiest way to use the DDC to organize and classify library collections. With WebDewey, metadata managers have the most-up-to-date DDC numbers available that are based on an array of continually evolving topics and languages. WebDewey also includes:
• searching or browsing DDC numbers, Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) and mapped MeSH headings
• adding your own notes and displaying them in context
• an easy-to-navigate, simple user interface that is suitable for the novice as well as the power user
WebDewey provides functions to make Dewey classification and cataloging efficient and accurate:
- associations between Dewey numbers and Library of Congress subject headings as additional access points to the DDC
- access to many pre-built numbers that are found only in the web version, especially in the literature area
- awareness of the latest changes to the Classification via the frequent updates made to WebDewey
- easy annotation of the DDC with the Comments feature
- thousands of additional Relative Index terms as additional access points to the DDC
WebDewey database
The WebDewey database, which is updated regularly, includes the most current version of the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC 23 and all updates since its publication in 2011), plus supplemental data. Major components are:
- records for Dewey entry numbers in the schedules and tables
- records for entries in the DDC manual
- DDC Relative Index
- Library of Congress subject headings associated with Dewey class numbers
- for details on the latest update to the database, check the Dewey Decimal Classification Newsletter.
Searching, browsing, and linking
- Basic searching lets you search the entire database.
- Search functionality includes limiting by index, combined-term searches in one or multiple indexes using Boolean AND/OR/NOT operators, proximity searches, truncation, and character masking (wildcards).
- Browsable sequential indexes of DDC numbers, the Relative Index, and LCSH.
- Hierarchical displays that show the position of each class number in relation to broader and narrower classes.
- Extensive use of hyperlinks for convenient access to related records and manual entries cited in notes.
- Links from LCSH listed in a record to the corresponding subject authority records.
- Displays of the ten Main Classes and the DDC tables that enable top-down navigation through the DDC.
Workspace elements
- Basic search – Appears on the WebDewey opening screen or click Search in the header
- Advanced search – Click Advanced Search in the header
- Browse – Click Browse in the header
- Search results – Single record or list of retrieved records
- Browse results – List of terms in an area of an index
