Use the Internet or ask your local librarian for help familiarizing yourself with the system. Book are organized in nine basic categories, but every number has three digits that place the books in subcategories such as specific languages in the literature section or branches of the art in the arts section. There may also be a decimal point followed by number that indicates information such as the author or place of publication. For example, .03 is generally used for dictionaries while .73 is used for books about America. Check the Dewey Index that most libraries keep for exact number designations.
Search the 000s if you're looking for general books. These include reference books, news media and special or rare books.
Find the 100s to look for philosophy and psychology books.
Search for social science books in the 300s. These include books such as economics and politics.
Try the 400s for all books on religion.
Scan through the 500s for all books on natural science and mathematics.
Look for books on technology in the 600s. The section also includes all applied sciences and topics such as manufacturing and agriculture.
Find books about the arts in the 700s.
Go to the 800s to find all fiction and literary books. Softcover paperbacks are often located outside of this section, and organized separately in alphabetical order.
Search the 900s for books about history and geography.
Scan through the books once you've found the appropriate section. You can often find your book by searching according to author. Once you've located the approprate section and subcategory, finding your book should be easy.