025.431: The Dewey blog

“We’re all born naked and the rest is drag”—RuPaul

Here in the DDC editorial office, we periodically receive questions looking for classification clarification, suggestions for a change in classification descriptions, and requests for a new classification to be added.  We received one of these requests for a specific DDC number for drag, so of course we looked into it and agreed it was a needed classification.

Literary warrant was apparent, but how to best classify a subject with many interpretations? Drag performances and performers have recently moved into the mainstream of American culture but depending on your definition of “drag” has been part of cultures worldwide in various forms.  Common folklore holds that the term started with Shakespeare’s cross-casting of actors performing women’s roles, and it is suggested that the term came from the acronym “dressed as girl”, although this is unproven.   Some consider impersonation drag, but often this is without any exaggerated costuming.

We needed a clear definition and turned to Homosaurus.org for theirs.  Homosaurus describes drag as “a performance genre involving dressing and/or using makeup to produce, emphasize, and/or exaggerate traits associated with a certain gender, which typically (but not always) is not the gender the performer primarily identifies with.”  This definition helped us move forward in our work.

We began to explore current classification entries on where the best home for drag would be.  Ultimately, we chose 792 Stage presentations, and from 792.7 Variety shows and theatrical dancing, we continued drag to a newly authorized number at 792.72. 

So to all of the drag queens and drag kings out there, welcome to the DDC.  We’re happy to have you!

Results of EPC Meeting 144

Meeting 144 of the DDC Editorial Policy Committee (EPC) was held last month. All proposals were approved in full or with amendments, and many of the changes are already live in WebDewey. As usual, the versions of the exhibits at oc.lc/DeweyExhibits remain in their proposed form; once they’re approved, our focus is publishing the changes to WebDewey rather than retroactively marking up any of the proposals.

Of note, the development for Afghanistan from EPC 144-T2.2 has been split from the other Central Asian countries (which have already been published). In response to some comments, we think we have a better way of handling Afghanistan. Also, we’re going to work out some kinks in EPC 144-S27.1, on Christian persecutions, but there will probably not be a separate exhibit on it.

Expect to see some more posts on some of the specific changes from EPC 144 in the coming weeks. Although Kathryn Becker has completed her term as Editor in Residence and moved on to a full-time position at the Library of Congress, you’ll also be seeing some posts she wrote about her work.

Register for September 2023 eCourse: Using WebDewey and Understanding Dewey Decimal Classification

We're a month out from another class of Using WebDewey and Understanding Dewey Decimal Classification, brought to you by ALA Publishing in cooperation with OCLC. Dewey Senior Editor Alex Kyrios will serve as the instructor for this 4-week facilitated eCourse starting on Monday, September 11, 2023.

Participants will gain a comprehensive grounding in Dewey Decimal Classification® (DDC) principles and practices. Starting with the basics, this eCourse will teach you how to:

• Navigate within WebDewey to determine appropriate DDC numbers
• Build numbers using the WebDewey number building tool
• Apply numbers that help patrons browse your library

Plus, experienced users will benefit from guidance building more complex numbers and learn how to make more effective use of WebDewey. Lessons are asynchronous so you can review course materials and complete exercises as your schedule allows.

To learn more and register for this eCourse, please see this page. You may also consider the three-course Practical Classification and Subject Access Cataloging Bundle, which adds courses on Library of Congress Classification (LCC) and Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH), with a savings of 25% compared to the three courses individually.