Religion in Dewey Decimal classification. The expansion of class 200

Abstract

The article examines the historical evolution of class 200, dedicated to Religion, within the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) bibliographical classification system, created by Melvil Dewey in 1876, which produced its 22nd Edition in 2003. Available at the present time are Edition 22 printed in a complete version in 4 volumes, Edition 14 in abbreviated form for libraries with a bibliographical patrimony that does not exceed 200,000 pieces, a web version based on the use of a browser, WebDewey, updated three-monthly. The Dewey Decimal Classification is used in 200,000 libraries in 135 countries and by 62 national bibliographies for classifying documents with a notation that briefly summarizes their content. Class 200 is adopted by libraries that specialize in religious topics and is often flanked by an abbreviated edition that is applied to subjects other than religion. Starting from Edition 16 of 1958, an independent reprint in the form of a booklet was produced. This has a specific Index starting from Edition 19, first for the types of the Broadman Press, editor with a protestant baptist inclination, and subsequently by the OCLC Forest Press itself, producer of the complete work.