Classifying Toy Collections:

Using the Dewey Decimal System

Using a pre-existing classification system like Dewey has its advantages. The main advantage is that it already exists.  There's no reason to invent a code.  The cataloguer can look at the toy, determine its aboutness: "this is a red barn" and look in the Relative Index for the corresponding number: 631.  This is a relatively easy task.  Toys will be located by topic, i.e. all the "farm" toys, puzzles, games, etc., will be found together.  Call numbers will be similar to others found in the library.  The cataloguer can use subject headings to specify the type of toy it is (i.e. puppet, dramatic play, manipulatives). 

A disadvantage of using a topic-based system like Dewey is trying to fit a toy into the "right" topic.  Although toys have less to be "about" sometimes determining the right place for a toy can lead to much agonizing. According to librarians at Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library it can take up to two hours to process a toy even if there is a MARC record already available. 

Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library (New York)

Middle Country Public Library (New York)

Call numbers are: TOY (Dewey Number) (first word from the title)
example:  TOY 796.323 BABY for Fisher-Price's Baby Basketball
 

Classifying by Format

Lethbridge Public Library

Ashtabula Public Library

Montreal Public Library

Most resource centers use a classification system that is based on how the child uses the toy. This method makes the most sense as that's how most children approach play.  This means playing with the toy yourself, which can be fun, but very time-consuming.  When selecting toys for your collection take note of how the manufacturer describes the toy.  Many toy catalogues have sections such as: dramatic play, manipulatives, or motor skills, which can assist when classifying your collection. 

There is no one way to build a "way to play" classification system.  Some centers use major headings with accession numbers; others use a numerical system to indicate the type of toy.  Some use a combination of letters and numbers to specify the class. Here are a few examples of "way to play" classification:

Connections Resource Center (Austin, Texas)

The Connections program uses Library of Congress Subject Headings when possible but has also added some headings created specifically for their own use:
 

Auditory	Fitting and shapes	Movement
Balancing	Foods and kitchen	Sea life
Block Play	Gross motor	Sensory
Concentration and Memory	Group time	Social studies
Coordination	Infant and toddler	Sorting
Construction	Language and cognitive	Stacking and nesting
Differing abilities	Magnification	Tactile
Dramatic play	Manipulative	Visual
Families and people	Matching	Wild life

Toy classification is done by childcare specialists at the Connections Center but the toy records are included in the library's database.  To access these records click on: 

**special thanks to Toma Iglehart for sharing the Connections classification system and toy collection procedures.
 

St. Clair Toy Library

The St. Clair toy collection is divided according to the child's interests:
 

Construction	(blocks, dump trucks, Tinkertoys, DUPLO)
Quiet	(puzzles, games for sorting, decoding)
Motor	(push, pull, ride, roll, hammer)
Pretend	(pretend play: food, dishes, houses, vehicles, puppets, etc.)
Rhythm	(musical instruments, tape players)
Sand/Water

An example of toy numbers using this system would be:

Acadia Toy and Resource Library

The classification system helps to classify the type of toy and gives each item a unique identifying number which includes the total number of pieces. 

The ATRL collection is divided as follows:
 

Infant toys	F
Board Games	G
Imaginative Toys	Y
Large Equipment	Q
Manipulative Toys	T
Musical Equipment	M
Puzzles	Z
Ride-On Toys	R
Science and Sports Equipment	E

Each category has:
 

items	001 to 999
duplicates indicated with	.1 to .9
the number of pieces in brackets	(  #  )

Examples of this system are:
 

Little Tikes Workbench  Q-002.1 (13)   Q   Large Equipment Toy  002 item number  .1   first copy  (13)  it has 13 pieces.

Thumb Piano  M-003.2  M  Musical Toy  003  item number  .2   second copy There are no pieces.

The ATRL uses a photo catalogue and doesn't worry about assigning subject headings.
 

Community Disability Network Toy Library

The collection is broken into the following categories:
 

Self-help	100s
Cognitive	200s
Social	300s
Fine Motor	400s
Gross Motor	500s
Language	600s

The library uses a photo catalogue to assist in selection.  They do not worry about subject headings.
**special thanks to Melinda Hartel for her information about the CDN Toy Library.