Working with Dewey 600s

Greetings!

We are more than halfway through our Dewey weeding project. Let’s move on to the 600s.

This section is all about putting to use the things that are in the 500s. We often call this section the ‘how-to’ section. A few examples include:

1. 500 – Information about minerals; 600 - Man used minerals and made machines (cars, trucks, airplanes, etc.)
2. 500 – Information about animals; 600 – Man domesticates animals for work and for pets (horses, dogs, cats, gerbils, etc.)
3. 500 – Information about plants; 600 – man prepares plants for food (cookbooks)

This also helps us explain to children why the dog books aren’t in the 599s, but in the 636s instead.

In the first two subdivisions, 600 – 610, you will find general technology, inventions, medicine, health, diseases, the human body, survival, and first aid books.
The 620s include subjects on mining, railroads, trains, cars, ships, boats, knots, airplanes, automobiles, space exploration, rockets, and moon missions. One area you likely don’t have anything on would be geocaching. This is a wonderful family friendly activity and I would encourage you to put books in the library on this subject.

In the 630s, we have agriculture and related areas such as farming, forestry, hunting, fishing, conservation, and gardening. Specifically in the 636 section are animal husbandry and all our domesticated animals go here. Look for books on aquariums, and turtles and fish as pets for your library. Check with your students and see what kinds of animals they have as pets and try to get books for those particular pets for your library.

The 640s include home and family management subjects so expect to see cooking, sewing, housekeeping and home repair books here. I love cookbooks for children and we have a lot of them in our library. They are kept circulating most of the time, too. One subject that would be good to have is a book on babysitting.

In the 650s, you might not have much. It is office services, shorthand, accounting, and similar topics.

The 660s also might be slim since the topics are chemical engineering. Explosives, fuels, food technology, and industrial oils, fats, waxes, and gases, and metallurgy are included here.

The 670s section is manufacturing in a more general way. Lumber processing, wood products, leather and fur processing, pulp and paper technology, metalworking iron and steel would be here.

The 680s m might be more interesting. This is manufacture for specific uses. Include blacksmithing, household appliances, printing, clothing, leather, fur goods, and related products here. Also, include books on Legos and other toys such as Barbie and other dolls. Another great addition to your library would be building tree houses and forts. Check out books by David R. Stiles for this subject.

David Stiles’ books might also go into the 690s since that section is on construction, building materials, wood construction and carpentry, roofs, utilities, and heating and cooling. However, since books about tree houses are really kind of like toys, so that is where they really belong.

Weeding in the 600s would include taking a look at the books on medical information. Make sure that your books have current medical practices in them or else discard them. Outdated information here can be dangerous. Check out the books on cancer, AIDS, and other topics that change quickly. This is another place that up-to-date information needs to be accurate.
Check the pets section. Look at the books and make sure the pictures are current photos and the books are in good condition.

As much as I love cookbooks, discard any that are old and not being used. Check the physical condition and make sure all pages are intact. If you have any books on nutrition and food preparation, make sure that these are also current. Replace books that talk about the four food groups with information about the food pyramid.

Mostly you will weed according to use and condition of the book. If a book is used, but is in poor condition try to replace with a newer updated copy. If a book is not being used and is in poor condition, get rid of it. If a book is not being used, but is in good condition, figure out why it isn’t being used, and either promote it in some way, or get rid of it. Pretty new books that no one reads are useless. Get someone to read them or get rid of them.

I put some old weeded books on a table in our hall last week with a sign that said “FREE – Do Not Bring Back”. Ten minutes later after all the students were out of school, nearly all the books were gone. I was shocked, but pleased. I put more books out and the same thing happened. I mention this so you know what might be an option for you and your weeded books. If anyone begins to criticize you for throwing away perfectly good books, just tell them that you are updating the library to reflect the current curriculum.

I hope this week goes well for you.

Audrey