Leveraging the Dewey Decimal Classification for online subject access: Three use cases of WebDewey Search

The national libraries of Germany, Norway and Sweden each offer an openly accessible end-user tool with which to leverage data from their respective translations of the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) for use in search and navigation of selected catalogs: WebDewey Search Deutsch, Norsk WebDewey Search and Svenska WebDewey Search. The tool allows users to search for DDC classified documents by either browsing the hierarchical relationships displayed with the class captions of the system or by searching with natural language for Relative Index terms leading to DDC classes. This paper addresses the strengths and weaknesses of the tool while highlighting the differences between the three versions. We conclude with suggestions for areas of further development.