In 1876, Melvil Dewey invented a system to classify non-fiction materials into ten major classes of human knowledge. Before this time, there was no system to let library patrons find the materials they needed. This meant that librarians had to memorize the location of every book in their collections! If the librarian was sick or not available, library patrons couldn't even tell if the book they needed was in the library collection!

His system assigned each of ten major classes one hundred numbers for expansion. Later, when he discovered that 100 numbers weren't enough, he added a decimal point to expand the system!

This system, called the Dewey Decimal System of Classification, is used in most school libraries. It helps us find non-fiction materials. This web quest will provide you with a basic understanding of the Dewey system so you can easily find materials in your own library.

Your assignment is to study the system, observe the logic used as you progress through each of the ten major classes and create a PowerPoint presentation that tells a story explaining the Dewey Decimal System!

For a sample story click HERE.