Library management system (LMS) is

an enterprise resource planning for a library , used to track items owned, orders made, bills paid, and patrons who have borrowed.

Modules include:
ACQUISITIONS (ordering, receiving, and invoicing materials) CATALOGING (classifying and indexing materials)

CIRCULATION (lending materials to patrons and receiving them back)

SERIALS (tracking magazine and newspaper holdings) OPAC(public interface for users)

Call number
The number used to identify and locate a resource, e.g. Dewey number and/or first three letters of authors surname.

Cataloguing
The process of creating a bibliographic description, including subject headings and classification numbers, for resources being added to the library collection. Details of resources are recorded as catalogue records on the librarys Integrated Library System (ILS) providing access for all users.

Circulation
The systems used to issue and return items from the librarys collection.

Classification
Selecting a Dewey Decimal Classification number for an item that most closely matches the main topic of the resource.

Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC)

Dewey is a classification system that organizes books on library shelves in a specific and repeatable order that makes it easy to find any book and return it to its proper place. The system is made up of ten main classes or categories, each divided into ten secondary classes or subcategories, each having ten subdivisions.

The Dewey Decimal Classification is a general knowledge organization tool that is continuously revised to keep pace with knowledge. The system was conceived by Melvil Dewey in 1873 and first published in 1876.

DDC - How it works

Code of three digit numbers

First digit the main DDC group Second digit is the subdivision of the main group Third digit allows more specific subject information Additional digits after the decimal point allow for further specificity

DDC Main Categories

Subdivisions Example
700 Arts (general)

710 Civic and landscape art

720 Architecture 730 Sculpture 740 Decorative arts 750 Painting 760 Graphic Arts 770 Photography 780 Music 790 Recreation

Benefits of DDC

Helps find the book quickly

Allows for browsing on the shelves Helps shelve the book in the appropriate place again

Used worldwide (over 135 countries in 2004)

Format is easy to understand & use Drop-Back Theory & other tricks can help one's search Can continually expand

What do you think?

Do We Keep Dewey?