A Subject Analysis of Pentecostalism in the Dewey Decimal Classification System

Abstract

Suggestions for classifying works on the subject of Pentecostalism in the most recent edition of the Dewey Decimal Classification System reveal a number of existing definitional and historical errors that could cause confusion for cataloguers as well as diminish access to works on Pentecostalism for users of libraries that rely on the Dewey Decimal Classification System. In the following article, I identify the sources of these errors, offer suggestions to remedy them, and argue for the importance of regular consultation between librarians and subject specialists in order to maintain both the accuracy and social responsibility of a classification scheme.

Keywords

• Dewey Decimal Classification
• classification
• subject headings
• Pentecostalism
• religious studies