How Non-Fiction is Organized

The Dewey Decimal System

All Non-Fiction books are ordered on the shelves using the Dewey Decimal System. For information on how the Dewey Decimal System works, click here.

Categories of Non-Fiction Books

Biographies

Biographies are shelved using a classification system different from other Non-Fiction books. For information about biographies, click here.

000-900 Classes

All other Non-Fiction books are found in the 000-900 Classes, as explained in the Dewey Decimal System Guide. Below is a list of where each class of book can be found in the library.

000-400 - Computer science, information, philosophy, psychology, religion, social sciences, languages

These books are found in the room with the plaque 000-499 over its entrance. This room is by the two glass front doors. Because it also serves as an office, we ask that you request assistance from a staff member if you need to retrieve items from this room.

500 - Science and Mathematics

These materials are found on the top floor. With your back to the Circulation Desk, climb the stairs to your left. You will see a sign at the top of the stairs pointing you to your left for the 500's.

600 - Technology and Applied Science

These materials are found on the top floor. With your back to the Circulation Desk, climb the stairs to your left. You will see a sign at the top of the stairs pointing you straight ahead for the 600's. Because of the volume of cooking books, some of these titles are on a rolling cart located in the cooking section.

700 - Arts and Recreation

These materials are found on the top floor. With your back to the Circulation Desk, climb the stairs to your right. The 700s comprise all of the shelving on this side of the top floor. The numbers grow in number as you move away from the Circulation Desk towards the front doors. Oversized art books (Quartos and Folios) are located at the end of this area and flow into the Art Room. The Art Room is locked. If you need access to this room, please see a staff member.

800 - Literature

Literature is found downstairs. This section includes literary criticism, essays, and poetry. The early 800s begin in the far right corner of the room (with your back to the stairs). They continue around the perimeter of the downstairs. After wrapping around the entire room, Call Numbers 850-870 are on the movable shelving units located near the bottom of the staircase. Call Numbers 871 and higher are in the Bound, which is behind the doors on the farside of the room from the bottom of the stairs. The Bound is occasionally locked if being used for other purposes. Please see a staff member for help if this is the case.

900 - History

The History section begins upstairs (Call Numbers 900-939) and concludes downstairs in the main room (Call Numbers 940-999). For the upstairs portion of the 900's, with your back to the Circulation Desk, go up the left-hand stairs. At the top of the stairs, the section will start on the wall to your right. The first floor area of the 900's begins beside the Circulation Desk and continues until the start of the Mystery fiction collection.