How to Code DVDs With the Dewey Decimal System
The Dewey Decimal System is a way of classifying information. There are ten broad topics that are broken down into specialized subtopics. The system is widely used and most people are familiar with it from the library. The Dewey Decimal System can be used to classify things besides books, and it can be used outside of the library. With some work and initial organization, you can use the Dewey Decimal System to classify your DVDs.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- DVDs
- Complete listing of the Dewey Decimal System with topics and subtopics
- Sticky notes
- Pen or pencil
- Small labels
- Computer
- Printer
Instructions
-
-
1
Categorize your DVDs according to the ten broad topics in the Dewey Decimal System. For a complete list of the topics, check the resources section of this article. Create a pile of DVDs for each of the ten topics.
-
2
Classify each DVD into a sub-topic. Begin with the first stack of DVDs and work through them, finding a subtopic that fits the DVD's theme. For example, the movie "All The President's Men" about the reporters who broke the Watergate scandal could be classified in the "0" topic for general knowledge and then placed in the "070" subtopic for journalism.
-
-
3
Write the number for each DVD on a sticky note and place it on the DVD case. You will write the number of the topic first, followed by a period and the number of the subtopic. In the example of "All The President's Men," you would write 0.070. If you have multiple DVDs with the same classification, you add a second period and then the number "1" for the first one and "2" for the second. Continue this process until all of your DVDs have been classified.
-
4
Type your numbers into a word processing program on your computer and print out the numbers on labels. Use a label template if your word processing program has one. You can also choose to handwrite the labels using a pen.
-
5
Put the labels on the DVD cases. The traditional location for a Dewey Decimal System label is on the bottom of the DVD case's spine, but you can choose a different location if you desire.
-
6
Arrange your DVDs in numerical order. The titles should first be categorized by the topic number and then arranged in numerical order by the subtopic number. As you add new DVDs to your collection, categorize them by the Dewey Decimal System and place them in the correct location.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
In many libraries, fiction is not categorized using the Dewey Decimal System. Because so many movies are fiction though, you will most likely want to still use the system for fictional DVDs. Just use the categories the same way you would for a nonfiction book or DVD. This will allow you to quickly pick a movie based on the theme.
References
- Photo Credit Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images
