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Library Journal Review

Billed as the most popular classification in the world, the DDC 21 works hard to merit its preeminent status. The overarching philosophy of this edition, updated and revised from 1989's DDC 20, is user convenience. More understandable terminology and simpler subdivision practice will be appreciated by classifiers and patrons alike. New faceting makes many subject areas more flexible and expandable. Visible efforts to reduce U.S. bias in wording and structure are welcome. The most extensive revisions (other than updating for changed jurisdictions) occur in Religion, Public Administration, and Life Sciences. In an effort to lessen Christian bias, the standard subdivisions of Christianity have been relocated from 201-209 to Christianity (230-270). A new option puts Old Testaments books in the original Jewish order, and 296 Judaism and 297 Islam have been expanded. Numbers for Public Administration are the same (350-354), but the citation order is changed from jurisdiction/ topic to topic/jurisdiction and subdivision is faceted. The citation order in Biology (570s) also is flipped to process/organism for internal biological processes. Other changes include updated terminology and new topics (rap music, Internet, virtual reality, in-line skating, etc.). The CD-ROM version, Dewey for WindowsTM, has additional index terms and historical notes for changed numbers. If implemented properly, DDC 21 will make browsing more satisfying and classifying easier. Recommended. [The CD-ROM is available separately for a single workstation license of $400 or for an additional $200 in combination with the print edition.‘Ed.]‘Sheila S. Intner, GSLIS, Simmons Coll., Boston (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.