Your Guide to
Dewey Decimal
Numbers @ Your Library
Smithfield Library
The aim of this guide is to assist you in your search for knowedge
and information at Cairns Libraries. The guide may be used as
you browse our library shelves for your chosen topic or to assist
you once you have searched the library catalogue and are ready
to look for items on the shelves.
Non-fiction items in Cairns Libraries are organised using the
Dewey Classification Decimal (DDC) System, which categorises
books according to the subject matter, so that similar topics are
shelved close together.
The DDC, which was introduced in 1876, divides books into ten
main subject classes, each represented by Dewey call numbers:
000
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1
General works, Encyclopaedias, Bibliographies, Library Science, Computer Science, Journalism
Philosophy, Logic
Religion, Bible, Theology, World Religions
Social Sciences, Politics, Economics, Law, Education, Customs
Language, Linguistics, English, Foreign Languages
Pure Science, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Zoology, Astronomy, Geology
Technology, Medical Sciences, Building, Engineering, Home Economics, Business, Agriculture, Aviation
Arts, Landscaping, Architecture, Painting, Sculpture, Music, Photography, Recreation
Literature, Prose, Poetry, Drama
History, Travel,Geography, Biography, Ancient and
Modern History
Broad topic areas have a short call number which generally
comprises of 3 digits. There are always 3 numbers before the
decimal point. The numbers before the decimal point tell you
the main subject area or class and indicate where to start
looking for the item on the shelf.
Each main class is further divided into ten divisions and each
division into ten sections.
The numbers after the decimal point give you more details
about the subject of the item and its location on the shelf.
Longer numbers indicate a more specific subject.
For example - the number for Natural Sciences is 500. This is a
main subject topic.
Animals are found on the shelves at 591. Animals living in
Australia are 591.994, and more specifically Animals in Far
North Queensland are at 598.99436.
Birds are found on the shelves at 598, however Birds of
Prey are at 598.9 and Birds of Prey living in Australia are at
598.90994.
As well as a Dewey Number each item is assigned three letters
to be placed after the Dewey Number. These letters indicate
either the first three letters of the author’s surname or the title
of the item.
Once items have been assigned a call number they are then
placed in order on the shelves according to that number.
This guide contains a listing of some of the more commonly
requested topics and their Dewey Decimal Numbers.
Points of interest in this guide will be highlighted by the
following:
LOCAL/REGIONAL TOPICS HIGHLIGHTED IN BLUE
TEN MAIN SUBJECT AREAS CAPITALISED, AND HIGHLIGHTED
IN ORANGE.
2
A
3
Aborigines 306.08
Aborigines - Art 709.011
Aborigines - History 994.0049915
Aborigines - Social Conditions 305.89915
Aborigines, Australian – QLD –
Cairns Region – History 994.0049915
Abortion363.46
Accounting 657
Addiction362.29
Adolescence305.235
Adoption362.734
Adult Education 374
Advertising 659
Aircraft 629.133
Aging571.878
Agriculture 630
AIDS (disease)362.196
Alcoholism 362.292
Allergies 616.97
Alzheimer Disease362.196
Alternative Medicines 615.5
America, North 917
America, South 918
Anatomy571.3
Ancient History 930
Animal Husbandry636
Animal Behavior 591.5
Animals 590
Animals - Australia 591.994
Animals – Endangered 591.68
Animals – Queensland, Northern 591.99436
Antarctica 998
Antiques 745.1
Anxiety 616.8522
Aptitude Tests 153.9
Architecture 720
Architecture, Domestic 728
Art 709
Art, Australia 709.94
ARTS700
Asia 915
Asia - History 950
Asthma 616.238
Astrology 133.5
Astronomy 520
Atlases 912
Australia - Description & Travel 919.4
Australia - Discovery & Exploration 994.02
Autobiography & Biography 920
Aquariums 639
Architecture 720
Australia - Economic Conditions 330.994
Australia - History 994
Australia - Politics & Government 320.994
Australia - Social Life & Customs 994.04
Australian Literature 823.3
Australian Poetry 821.821
4
B
Baby names929.44
Beauty (Personal) 646.7
Bible 220
Biodiversity333.95
Biography & Autobiography 920
Biology 570
Bisexuality 306.765
Biotechnology 660.6
Birds 598
Birth573.67
Birth Defects 616.043
Boats 623.8
Bodybuilding 613.713
Books002
Botany 581
Brain573.86
Breast Cancer (Medicine)616.994
Britain 914.1
Britain - History 941
Buddhism 294.3
Building 690
Bushwalking - Cairns Region 919.436
Bushrangers - Australia 364.155
Business – Technology 650
Business Management 658
5
C
Cabinetmaking684.104 Cairns - Description &Travel 919.436
Cairns - Economic Conditions 338.99436
Cairns - History 994.36
Cairns - Planning 711.5
Cairns Region - Statistics 338.99436
Cairns - Road Maps 912.94
Cake Decorating 641.864
Calligraphy745.61
Cancer 616.99
Cape York Peninsula - Travel 919.438
Cape York Peninsula - History 994.38
Card Games 795.4
Cardiovascular Diseases573.139
Careers 331
Carpentry 694
Cars 629.222
Catholic Church282
Cats 636.8
Cells (Biology)571.6
Censorship363.31
Ceramics 738
Chemistry 540
Chess 794.1
Child Abuse 613.6
6
Childbirth618.24
Child Care 649.1
Child Development 649.1
Child Psychology 155.4
Child Rearing 649.1
Child Health 618.82
China 915.1
China - History 951
Computers 001
Chinese - Language495.1
Christianity 230
Civil Rights 323.4
Civilisation909
Climate (Weather) 551.5
Coins 737.4
Comics/Cartoons 741.5
Communications 384
Commerce 380
Computers 001
Conservation 639.9
Cooking 641.5
Costumes 391
Craft 745
Creative Writing808
Cricket 796.358
Criminology 364
Culture 306
Cults209
Customs 392
Cyclones - Queensland, North 363.3492
7
D
Daintree Region 333.78
Dance 793.3
Death & Dying (Psychology) 155.93
Debt management (Personal) 332.024
Democracy321.8
Depression, Mental 616.8527
Design and Decoration 729
Dictionaries 413
Diabetes 616.462
Diet & Nutrition613.2
Digestion573.3
Dinosaurs 560
Digital Photography 775
Discrimination305
Disease Prevention 614
Diseases 616
Disability 362.4
Divorce306.89
Djabugay - History 994.36
Djabugay Language 499.15
Dogs 636.7
Do-it-Yourself Manuals 643.7
Drama, English 822
Drawing 740
Dreams 135
Drug Abuse 362.29
Drugs615
8
E
9
Earth Sciences 550
Eating Disorders 616.8526
Ecology 577
Economics 330
Education 370
Electronics 621.381
Emotions 152.4
Encyclopaedias 030
Engineering 620
English - Grammar 425
English - Language 421
English - Literature 820
English – Plays 822
English – Poetry 821
Environment 333
Environmental Degradation
363.7
Equestrian Sports 798
Ethics 170
Etiquette (Manners) 395
Etymology 412
Europe 914
Europe - History 940
Evolution 576.8
Exercise 613.71
Explorers 910.92
Explorers - Australia 994.02
Extraterrestrial life576.839
F
Fairy Tales 398.2
Family History 929
Family Law - Australia 346.94
Farming 630
Far North Queensland - Travel 919.436
Far North Queensland - History 994.36
Fashion 391
Feminism 305.42
Feng Shui 133.333
Fertility 613.9
Film/Movies 791.43
Finance (Personal) 332.024
First Aid 616.0252
Fishes 597
Fishes - QLD - Great Barrier Reef 597.099436
Fishing, Hunting and Shooting 799
Fitness 613.7
Folklore 398
Food & Drink 641.1
Food Allergies616.975
Foreign Relations 327
Forests 577.3
Fossils 560
France 194.4
France – History 944
French – Language 440
10
G
11
Gambling306.482
Games 793
Gardening 635
Gay & Lesbian issues306
Genealogy 929
GENERAL WORKS 000
Genetics 576.5
Genocide354.151
Geography & Travel 910
Geology 550
Geology - QLD - Cairns 559.436
Geometry 516
German – Language 460
Germany 914.3
Germany – History 943
Ghost Stories 133.1
Global Warming 363.738
Gluten Intolerance641.563
Gold Mining 622.1841
Golf 766.352
Government 320
Graphic Design 741.6
Great Barrier Reef 574.5263
Great Barrier Reef - Conservation 333.709943
Greece - History (Ancient) 938
Grief & Loss 155
Guns683
Gynaecology618.1
H
Haircutting646.724
Handicraft 745.5
Health 613
Heart Disease 616.12
Heraldry927.7
Herbert, Xavier 823.3
Herbs (Medicine) 615.321
Hereditary diseases 571.948
HISTORY & GEOGRAPHY 900
History, Ancient 930
History, Modern 909
HIV 616.9792
Hobbies 790.13
Homebrewing 641.23
Homosexuality 306
Home Ownership 363.583
Home Schooling 649.68
Homeless Persons 305.569
Hormones 612.405
Horses 636.1
Houses 728
Houses - Far North Queensland 728.37
Houses - Maintenance & Repair 643.7
Human Anatomy 611
Human Race 572
Human Resource Management 658.3
Humour/Satire 817
Hydroponics 631.585
12
I
Immigration 304
Indian Religions 294
Industrial Relations 331.8
Infectious diseases 571.98
Infertility618.178
Insects 595.7
Instruments (Music) 784.19
Intelligence 153.9
Interior Decoration/Design 747
International Relations 327
Internet 004.678
Internet Searching 025.04
Interpersonal relations302
Inventions 608
Investments 332.6
IQ tests 153.93
Islam 297
Italian Language 450
Italy 914.5
Italy - History 945
13
J
Japan 952
Japanese - Language495.6
Jewelry (Making) 739.27
Job Hunting 650.14
Jobs 331.7
Jokes 808.882
Journalism 070
Judaism 296
Justice (Ethics) 172.2
Justice (Law) 340.11
Juvenile Delinquency 364.36
K
Knitting 746.432
KukuYulanji - Customs 398.2099436
KukuYulanji - History 266.94943
KukuYulanji Language 499.15
14
L
Landscape Gardening 712
LANGUAGE 400
Law 340
Law - Australia 349.94
Leadership 303.34
Learning 153.15
Learning Disabilities 371.926
Legends 398.2
Life Sciences 570
Linguistics410
Literacy 302.224
LITERATURE 800
Locomotives 385.36
Low-calorie Food 641.302
Low-carbohydrate Cooking 641.563
Low-fat Cooking 641.563
Low-sodium cooking 641.563
M
15
Magic tricks 793.8
Mammals 599
Management 650
Manners390 Manufacturing 670
Marine Biology 578.77
Marketing 658.8
Martial Arts 796.8
Massage 615.822
Mathematics 510
Medicine 610
Meditation 158.12
Men’s Health 613.0423
Mental illness 362.2
Metabolism 572.4
Metalwork 739
Microbiology 576
Middle Ages 909.07
Middle East 956
Midwives (Medicine) 618.2
Military Science 355
Mines & Minerals 622
Money 332
Motivation (Psychology) 158.1
Motor Cars 629.222
Motor Car Manuals 629.287
Motor Cycles 629.2275
Movies/Film 791.43
Music 780
Mythology 398.2
16
N
Names (Personal) 929.44
Natural History 508
Natural Disasters 363.3492
Natural Resources 333.7
NATURAL SCIENCES 500
Navigation 623.89
Needlework 746.4
New Age Movement 133.9
New Zealand - Travel 919.3
New Zealand - History 993
News, Media, Journalism070
North Queensland - Travel 919.436
North Queensland - History 994.36
Nuclear Energy 333.792
Nuclear Warfare 355.02
Nursery Rhymes 398.8
Nutrition 613.2
O
17
Obesity 616.398
Occultism 133
Oriental & Ancient Philosophy 180
Outer Space520
P
Pacific Islands 996
Painters - Australia 759.994
Painting750
Paleo Cooking641.563
Papua New Guinea 995.3
Paranormal Phenomena140
Parenting 649
Personnel Management 658.3
Pets 636
PHILOSOPHY 100
Photography 770
Photography – Digital 775
Physics 530
Plants 580
Plants - QLD, Northern 581.99436
Plays, English 822
Poetry, English 821
Poetry, Australian 821.821
Political Science 320
Pollution 363.73
Pottery 738.1
Pregnancy & Childbirth 618.2
Pre-history 930.1
Print-making 760
Pregnancy 618.2
Prospecting 622.1
Psychology 150
18
Puberty 612.661
Public Relations 659
Publishing070
Public Speaking 808.5
Q
Queensland - Travel 919.43
Queensland - History 994.3
Quotations080
R
19
Racism 305
Rain Forests 577.34
Rain Forests - Australia 577.340994
Rain Forests - QLD, Northern 581.99436
Recycling 363.728
Reincarnation 133.901
Relationships 306
Relaxation 155.9
RELIGION 200
Reptiles 597.9
Resumes & Interviews 650.14
Retirement (Financial Planning) 332.024
Running S
Safety (Personal)613.6
Sailing 797
Satire/Humour 817
SCIENCE 500
Sculpture 730.9
Self Esteem 158.1
Self Help150
Sewing 646.2
Sex 613.96
Sexual Abuse 362.76
Sexuality 306.7
Ships & Boats 623
Sign Language 419
Smart devices (tablets, phones) 001
Social Science 300
Soccer 796.334
Social Media 006
Social Services 360
Space, Planets, Astronomy 520
Sports 796
Stress (Psychological) 158.7
Suicide 362.28
Supernatural133
Surgery 617
Survival 796.5
Sustainable Living640
Swimming 797.2
20
T
Tai Chi 613.7148
Tattooing 391.65
Taxes (Income)343.65
Teenagers 305.235
TECHNOLOGY 600
Terrorism 363.32
Theatre 792
Time Management 650.11
Tools 621.9
Tourism 338.47
Toys 790.133
Trains 625
Transportation 385
Travel Guides 914 – 919
Trees 582.16
Tropical Fish 639.34
True Crime 364
U
21
UFOs 001.94
United States (Government) 320.473
United States (History) 973
VW
Vaccination 614.47
Vietnam War 959.7
Viruses 579.2
Vitamins 613.28
Walking - Cairns Region 919.436
Warfare 355
Weddings395.22
Weather (Climate) 551.5
Welfare 362
Weight Loss 613.25
Wildlife 591
Wildlife management 333.954
Wildlife - Australia 591.994
Wills 346.730
Wine 641.22
Witchcraft 133.4
Wit & Humour 827
Women 305.4
Women’s Health 613.0424
Woodwork 684.08
World History 909
World War I 940.4
World War II 940.53
Writing808
22
XYZ
Yoga 613.7046
Zoology 590
23
24