An occurrence of a seemingly perennial enquiry about Dewey Decimal Classification on a social media group recently, brought to mind many discussions over the years while running Coventry Schools Library Service. The enquirer had inherited a library where they had discarded Dewey in the past, but was now considering reinstating it and asking for opinions.

To my mind there is a vast difference between a room full of books on shelves and a library! A library as defined by the American Library Association is “a collection or group of collections of books and/or other print or nonprint materials organised and maintained for use (reading, consultation, study, research, etc).” In my experience the work involved in that organisation and maintenance is often underestimated and yet this work is crucial if a school wants to get the best use out of what can be an expensive resource. Proper systems may not be as glamorous as decorative features but will have far more impact upon learning and upon reading for pleasure.

The Dewey Decimal system of classifying information books was invented by Melvin Dewey in 1876 and divides all the world’s knowledge into 10 major categories, from 000 to 999. Each class is then subdivided into 10 divisions which can be further divided – the more numbers, the more specific the subject. Inevitably something created that long ago has had to adapt to accommodate new areas of knowledge like computing and to reflect modern politics and awareness. All this sounds a lot more complicated than it really is and a lot more complicated than it needs to be in a primary school! All we want or need to achieve is for all the books on the same subject to have the same number and to be next to each other on the shelves where they can easily be found. The other thing to remember is that numbers are a universal language and accessible to all no matter what language they speak and keeping books organised in a numerical sequence is readily understandable and navigable.

A student’s ability to find the right book or resource they need will be dependent upon clear labelling of the books or resources and clear signage on the shelves and around the library but will not require children to “know” or learn the Dewey categories beforehand. But they will inevitably become more familiar with this organisation over time and in doing so will be equipped with a life skill they can carry into secondary schools and beyond. The Dewey Decimal system is used in all public libraries and most universities and equipping a child to be able to systematically search and find the information they need is essential at all stages of education and throughout life. First to have identified the topic/ subject or keyword they are looking for and then via a subject index either in a printed guide or the online catalogue of your library management system or even on a subject poster, to find the number for that topic and then to use that number to locate the book or resource on the shelf.

Labelling your school library books is key to ensuring books are shelved for ease of use and reshelved efficiently.

Fiction book labels: A label should be printed on the spine of the book in landscape with the first three letters of the author's surname. We recommend that this be placed 1cm up from the base of the spine. If the spine is too narrow to read the label, it is rotated to run along the spine. Non-Fiction book labels: We recommend that the non-fiction labels show Dewey numbers up to three decimal places.

The primary objective, which you should not lose sight of, is trying to develop and encourage independent learners by making their task easier. One common strategy in primary schools is to use a simplified Dewey. Where possible this would be classification using just three figures, without the need for a decimal point. But where subdivisions are helpful, they can be added. For example, all British History would come under 942 and you may well need to subdivide that so 942.5 for Tudors and 942.8 for Victorians etc. The classification you use can be moulded to your users and your curriculum. For example, a book on food and drink in Victorian times would technically be classified under food in the 600’s, but is likely to be of more use shelved with Victorian history. A further strategy is to combine simplified Dewey with colour labels which then make it much easier to maintain the library in the right order when each major category has a different colour.

Unfortunately, there is not one standard colour scheme in place – see below for some options. The important thing is to be consistent after your initial choice is made,

This may still sound like a daunting task and so the main objective of this feature is to signpost where you can get help. First stop would always be your local Schools Library Service, who can offer advice, resources and, in some cases, the manpower to help with your library organisation or at least the training of your staff or volunteers recruited for the task. Not sure if you have a local service? sls-uk.org will find your best option from their UK wide network.

With a useful introduction to everything you need to know about running a successful library, you will find inspiration from The Great School Libraries campaign greatschoollibraries.org.uk or from The Primary School Library Alliance literacytrust.org.uk/policy-and-campaigns/libraryalliance

The Schools Library Association has a range of useful publications and online and in person training. For example, The Learning about Libraries course will lead candidates through the processes involved in organising and running a primary school library with the aim to provide the best possible resource for the school. sla.org.uk/learningaboutlibraries

As indicated above there is no universally adopted colour coding scheme but again you may find that your local schools library service can also provide all the labels and posters you need, as this example shows sls.warwickshire.gov.uk

More general library stationery can be sourced from companies such as shop.wf-education.com or thedesignconcept.co.uk. Whatever you do don’t forget Label Protectors, it is very much a false economy not to use them!

Once you have your information books classified and labelled and in order on the shelves you then have to keep it that way for optimum efficiency! This will inevitably need pupil librarians to play their part as well as designated staff to oversee and self-sufficient class teachers and assistants trained in good library housekeeping habits! There is an annual competition for the Pupil Library Assistant of The Year which has some very useful advice. libpupilaward.wixsite.com.

As I have said already, school libraries are a significant investment for schools and I think it is important to see them well used to demonstrate value for money. But also, the knowledge that you are sending confident, independent learners out into the world beyond your school.