1. The Caveman’s Guide to the Dewey Decimal System

2. 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. 

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

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

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

8. 300s “Who is the person in the next cave?”
SOCIAL SCIENCE Man thinks about other people.

9. 400s “How can I communicate with the person in the next cave?”
Language
Man learns to communicate using sign language and words.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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

16. 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

17. Works Cited
Complete Library Skills Activities Program by Arden Druce who cited it from School Library Journal, February Copyright R.R. Bowker Company/Cahners Magazine Division.
Originally created by:
Updated by 09/25/12