Episodes
| First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| 20071023 | 20120211 (BBC7) 20131005 (BBC7) 20171206 (BBC7) 20171207 (BBC7) 20260320 (BBC7) 20260321 (BBC7) 20080323 (R4) |
A Dewey Decimal
Shaun Wallace visits his local library to see how the Dewey Decimal System works.
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. The 2004 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
Shaun Wallace investigates Melvil Dewey's 19th century book organisation system.
Shaun Wallace investigates Melvil Dewey's book organisation system at his local library - and the internet's impact. From 2007.