The document summarizes the Dewey Decimal System, which was created by Melvil Dewey in 1873 to classify nonfiction books in libraries. Dewey envisioned a Caveman asking questions to come up with the main categories. The system divides knowledge into 10 broad classes, which are further divided into 10 decimal categories each. It has become the most widely used library organization system worldwide.

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. 000's
Before 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. 100's
Who am I?
PHILOSOPHY AND PSYCHOLOGY
Man thinks about himself.

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

8. 300's
Who is the man (or woman) in
the next cave?
SOCIAL SCIENCE
Man thinks about other people.

9. 400's
How can I make that man
understand me?
Language
Man learns to communicate with others
through words.

10. 500's
How can I understand nature
and the world about me?
NATURAL SCIENCE
Man learns to understand
nature on the land, in the
sea, and in the sky.

11. 600's
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. 700's
How can I enjoy my leisure 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 to
create music.
He also learned how to dance
and play games.

13. 800's
How can I give my children a
record of man's heroic deeds?
LITERATURE
Man became a storyteller. He created fables, poetry,
and plays about his ancestors and the people he knew.
Later, man recorded these stories for all people to read.

14. 900's
How can I leave a record for
men 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
• Almanacs, Encyclopedias, Dictionaries
100 Psychology & Physiology
• Feelings, Emotions
200 Religion
• Bible stories
300 Social Sciences & Folklore
• Careers, Environment, Family, Fairy Tales
400 Languages & Grammar
• Grammar, Sign Language, English, Foreign Language

16. Dewey Decimal System
500 Math & Science
• Animals, Dinosaurs, Fish, Planets, Plants, Weather
600 Medicine & Technology
• Computers, Farming, Health, Nutrition
700 Arts & Recreation
• Drawing, Crafts, Jokes, Sports, Games
800 Literature
• Poetry, Plays
900 Geography & History
• Biographies, Countries, States, Travel, Native Americans,
Wars

17. 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.
 http://mte.anacortes.k12.wa.us/library/d
ewey/deweystory.htm