Guide to the Dewey Decimal System

For visitors to the NYPL,  all books (including large-print and reference collections as well as Andrew Heiskell Library materials, such as braille and special format audio books) are shelved in simple Dewey Decimal System classification order. The following is a listing of the general subjects and a few of the more popular subdivisions.

The Dewey Decimal System: An Overview

000 – Computer science, information & general works (includes encyclopedias and almanacs)

• 005 Computer programming, programs

100 – Philosophy and Psychology 

• 150 Psychology

200 – Religion

• 220 Bible

300 – Social Sciences

•  320 Political Science
•  330 Economics
•  340 Law
•  350 Public Administration
•  360 Social Services
•  370 Education
•  380 Commerce
•  390 Customs, Etiquette, Folklore 

400 – Language (including dictionaries)

500 – Natural Sciences

•  510 Mathematics

600 – Applied Sciences and Technology 

•  610 Medicine
•  635 Gardening
•  640 Home Economics
•  641 Cooking

700 – Arts and Recreation 

•  780 Music
•  790 Sports

800 – Literature

900 – History, Geography, and Biography 

•  910 Geography and Travel
•  920 Biography
•  930 Ancient History
•  940 European History
•  950 Asian History
•  960 African History
•  970 North American History
•  973 United States History
•  980 South American History