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A Dewey Decimal

Shaun Wallace investigates Melvil Dewey's book organisation system for libraries - and the impact of the internet. From 2007.

The Dewey Decimal System has organised books in libraries for 140 years.

Its inventor, Melvil Dewey, was so obsessed with efficiency, he had specific pockets for different times of the day.

2004 麻豆社 Mastermind winner, Shaun Wallace, goes to his local library to see how the system works and wonders whether, thanks to the dominance of the internet, we have lost something precious.

Taking part:

* Prof Wayne A Wiegand - biographer of Dewey - Irrepressible Reformer - A Life of Melvil Dewey
* Caroline Kent - of the British Library and also member of the Dewey Decimal editorial policy committee
* Rita Carter - author of Mapping the Mind
* Michele Roberts - author and ex librarian
* Mike (Michael) Jackson - Birmingham City University
* Bernie McManamon - reader development and marketing manager - Brent Libraries
* Sarah Smith - Children and young people's manager - Brent Libraries
* John Humphrys

Reader Kerry Shale

Producer James Cook

First broadcast on 麻豆社 Radio 4 in October 2007.

30 minutes

Last on

Sat 21 Mar 2026 00:30

Broadcasts

  • Tue 23 Oct 2007 11:30
  • Sun 23 Mar 2008 13:30
  • Tue 25 Jan 2011 14:30
  • Sat 11 Feb 2012 07:30
  • Sat 5 Oct 2013 07:30
  • Wed 6 Dec 2017 06:30
  • Wed 6 Dec 2017 13:30
  • Wed 6 Dec 2017 20:30
  • Thu 7 Dec 2017 01:30
  • Fri 20 Mar 2026 10:30
  • Fri 20 Mar 2026 16:30
  • Sat 21 Mar 2026 00:30