Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) originated in the USA. It was developed by Melvil Dewey, a librarian from near New York, and first published in 1876.

The DDC has since been translated into more than 30 languages. More than 200,000 libraries in over 135 countries use DDC; more than 60 use DDC in their national bibliographies. This requires sound, ongoing international cooperation.

DDC in the USA

In the Anglo-American countries, Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC), "Dewey" for short, is the predominant universal classification system. It is well known in particular due to its use as shelving system in most public libraries and university libraries. Consequently, it is hardly surprising that every child there knows his or her favourite numbers: Where are the dinosaur books? At 567, of course!

Online Computer Library Center (OCLC)

OCLC in Dublin (Ohio) holds the rights to DDC and grants licenses for various purposes.

The DDC editorial team is made up of members of OCLC and the Library of Congress (LoC).

Current editions of DDC in English

• Print edition: The 23rd edition was published in 2011 in four printed volumes and as a web version in the classification application WebDewey.
• Abridged edition: Abridged Edition 15 appeared in print in 2012. A PDF version is integrated into WebDewey.

Dewey Services at OCLC
Wikipedia article on Dewey Decimal Classification

Melvil Dewey – the inventor of DDC

Melvil Dewey (1851–1931) is well known in the Anglo-American countries. His development of Dewey Decimal Classification and his commitment to the modernisation of the librarian’s profession at the end of the 19th century were a milestone in the development of US American librarianship.

More about Melvil Dewey

DDC committees

Editorial Policy Committee (EPC)

The international Editorial Policy Committee (EPC) represents the interests of DDC users; its members come from public, specialised and university libraries and from library training institutions. The EPC advises the editorial team and OCLC on changes in content and on the further development of the classification system in general.

European DDC Users Group (EDUG)

The European DDC Users Group meets every year to discuss issues relating to DDC usage and DDC translation. It is made up of members of the national libraries and other libraries and institutions that translate DDC or use it for cataloguing purposes.

What are the EDUG’s main concerns?

• The EDUG provides a platform for regular dialogue serving the interests of DDC users in Europe.
• It develops proposals and presents them to the EPC and OCLC so that European issues are appropriately taken into account when DDC is undergoing further development.
• It promotes the further development and distribution of translation, classification, DDC mapping and end-user retrieval applications.
• It fosters dialogue and cooperation when translating DDC and during DDC-related research projects.
• It promotes the use and further development of DDC in Europe.

You will find further information on the committee website; this includes the presentations given at the annual conferences and the results of joint workshops.

More about the Editorial Policy Committee (EPC)
Website of the European DDC Users Group (EDUG)

All about Dewey – tips for further reading