The Caveman’s Guide to the Dewey Decimal System

The Story of the Numbers Used for Nonfiction Books In 1873 Mr. Melvil Dewey devised a system of classifying books which is used in many libraries.  He chose certain main subjects and numbers, so that all nonfiction books on the same subject would be together on the shelf.   

The Dewey Decimal System The Dewey Decimal Classification is the most widely used library organization system in the world. The system groups books by topic by dividing them into 10 basic categories, and each of those categories is further split into 10 categories, and so on.

Dewey’s Plan He chose these subjects by imagining himself to be a Caveman.  He asked himself questions he thought such a man would have asked.

000s “How do I begin?” Generalities Information I need to know before I begin. These are books which contain information on many subjects such as encyclopedias and other reference books.

PHILOSOPHY AND PSYCHOLOGY Man thinks about himself. 100s “Who am I?” PHILOSOPHY AND PSYCHOLOGY Man thinks about himself.

RELIGION AND MYTHOLOGY Man thinks about God. 200s “Who made me?” RELIGION AND MYTHOLOGY Man thinks about God.

300s “Who is the person in the next cave?” SOCIAL SCIENCE Man thinks about other people.

400s “How can I communicate with the person in the next cave?” Language Man learns to communicate using sign language and words.

500s “How can I explain nature and the world around me?” NATURAL SCIENCE Man learns to understand nature on the land, in the sea, and in the sky.

600s “How can I use what I know about nature?” APPLIED SCIENCE AND USEFUL ARTS (Technology) Primitive man learned about fire and how to make weapons.  He learned through the ages about the wheel, about medicine, planting crops, cooking food, building bridges, and how to make all the things we use.

700s How can I enjoy my free time? FINE ART AND RECREATION or (Arts) By this time, primitive man had more time to do the things he enjoyed.  He learned how to paint pictures and create music.  He also learned how to dance and play games.

800s “How can I tell my children all that I have accomplished?” LITERATURE Man became a storyteller.  He created stories, poems, and plays about his ancestors and the people he knew.  Later, man recorded these stories for all people to read.

900s “How can I leave a record for the people of the future?” GEOGRAPHY, HISTORY, BIOGRAPHY Man began to write about events that had occurred everywhere, and about people who had participated in these events.

Dewey Decimal System 000 General Knowledge 100 Psychology & Philosophy Almanacs, Encyclopedias 100 Psychology & Philosophy Feelings, Emotions 200 Religion Bible Stories, Beliefs, Mythologies 300 Social Sciences & Folklore Careers, Customs, Holidays, Fairy Tales 400 Languages Grammar, Sign Language, English, Foreign Language

Dewey Decimal System 500 Natural Science Planets, Weather, Wild Animals 600 Applied Science, Technology Space Travel, Alternative Energy, Domesticated Animals 700 Arts & Recreation Drawing, Crafts, Games, Sports 800 Literature Poetry, Plays, Classic Literature 900 Geography & History Travel, Countries, States, Biographies

Works Cited Complete Library Skills Activities Program by Arden Druce who cited it from School Library Journal, February 1961. Copyright R.R. Bowker Company/Cahners Magazine Division. Originally created by: http://mte.anacortes.k12.wa.us/library/dewey/deweystory.htm Updated by http://www.grandviewlibrary.info 09/25/12