The Secrets of the 600s

Do you remember learning the Dewey Decimal System when you were in school? The library uses it to organize our nonfiction collections, but it can be a tricky beast. Outwardly simple, it organizes books by subject matter, and each subject has a number assigned so you know what order everything goes on the shelf. There are 10 large groups: history and geography in the 900s, literature in the 800s, arts and recreation in the 700s, et cetera. Each large group is broken into smaller groups; for example, the 780s section has books on all different kinds of music. Those small groups are divided again and again into even more specific groups until you pinpoint the exact spot on the shelf where a particular book should go.

While it is a helpful system, organizing the vast array of human knowledge is complicated. Some things don’t fit neatly into a single category, so related books sometimes end up spread across the library based on their different approaches to the same topic. Some books are so niche that they wind up next to seemingly unrelated subjects just because there’s nowhere better for them to be. Some books fit perfectly where they’re at, but their small section is overshadowed by a hugely populous neighbor, so no one even notices they’re there.

Many people beelining for the 600s are aiming for the cookbooks, found around 641.5. These take up the lion’s share of Applied Sciences, but they’re far from the only books around. Just to the north in our shelving scheme is a little section that contains a few sewing guides, though the majority of those are in the 740s with other textile arts. At the other end, you’ll find books on cheesemaking and beekeeping, which transition into exotic pet care at the end of the 630s.

The medical books in the 610s also take up a ton of shelf space. Nestled within are subsections on various afflictions and parts of the body, as well as assorted methods of treatment. It might slip your notice that between those two behemoths of medical books and cookbooks are crowd favorites like car repair and gardening. Those points of interest are deceptive, too. Among the planes, trains, and automobiles are knot-tying and kite-flying guides. You can find books on robotics alongside tractor manuals, and an orphaned section on spaceflight that are slotted more neatly into engineering than astronomy, where the majority of the books are located.

Close to the arts in the 700s, the subject matter turns toward construction and manufacturing. This is the place to look if you want to build your own deck, or get into soapmaking, blacksmithing, or lockpicking! Come explore our aisles and see what unique information you can find! As always, if you need help navigating, just stop at our Information Desk for help, and we can lead you to what you need.

Check out what’s happening on our website at crawfordsvillelibrary.in.gov or call us at 765-362-2242. The library is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 1-5 p.m. Sunday.