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