The Librarian's Internet: Dewey Made Fun

Each fall, teachers and librarians face the same problem: how to make library skills—especially the Dewey Decimal Classification system (DDC)—more interesting. Thanks to these cool Web sites, kids will not only have fun learning about how the books in the library are organized, but they'll also be able to use those same numbers when searching the Web. The last two sites include WebQuest templates to let you create your own "DeweyQuest" this school year.

This simple, animated introduction to the DDC is an ideal self-discovery tutorial for kids, or use it as a library-based presentation. Grades: 4–8. Created by: Forest Press, OCLC Inc., Dublin, OH. Software: Shockwave/Flash player.

A nice introduction to the DDC created by 6th graders. Grades: 4–6. Created by: The ThinkQuest Team, Nettleton Intermediate Center, Jonesboro, AR. Don't miss: "Dewey and the Alien" and the fun tests and games in the the "Quizzes and Puzzles" section. The "Ultimate Challenge" provides a nice overview of the geography and history categories.

Here's a basic guide to Dewey for older kids, teenagers, and adults. Grades: 4–12+. Created by: Robert Tiess, librarian, Middletown (NY) Thrall Library. Don't miss: The "Test Your Knowledge" quizzes; they range from easy to difficult. They are really tough! Software: Javascript-enabled browser.

Check out this "Dewey-ized" version of the KidsClick index. Use it to teach kids about Dewey and help them locate sites by DDC number. Grades: 4–8. Created by: Ramapo Catskill Library System, Middletown, NY.

This comprehensive list of sites arranged by DDC number is a great resource for homework help. Grades: 4–12. Created by: Gail Grainger, media specialist, Chesterfield (NH) K–8 School.

Another DDC-arranged index, recently updated and expanded. Great for high school homework assignments. The "About" section includes useful DDC facts. Grades: 9–12. Created by: David Mundie, Polymath Systems, Pittsburgh, PA.

Creative ideas for teaching kids about the DDC, submitted by librarians. Grades: 1–5. Created by: Various posters to LM_NET. Compiled by Carl Dellutri, librarian, Mt. Erie Elementary Library, Anacortes, WA.

Kids help get books back where they belong in this creative WebQuest involving a library construction accident. Grade: 4. Created by: Sara Ferris, Wolf Swamp Road Elementary School, Longmeadow, MA.

This basic WebQuest teaches kids about the DDC and shares the story of its creator, Melvil Dewey. Grades: 4-6. Created by: Karen Cooperman, librarian, Richland Elementary School, Memphis, TN.