Melvil Dewey, Founder of the Library Bureau

Among Melvil Dewey's many significant accomplishments, in 1876 he founded Library Bureau library supply company in Boston, Massachusetts... "for the definite purpose of furnishing libraries with equipment and supplies of unvarying correctness and reliability."

Other accomplishments: (source: ALA, January 1996)

• 1876: Published the Dewey Decimal classification system.

• 1876: Organized the first conference for librarians in Philadelphia at which ALA was born.

   

• 1876: Was one of the original founders of the American Library Journal, a publication for librarians. Served as the managing editor of the publication until 1881.

   

• 1885: Founded the New York Library Club, the first of many similar local clubs.

   

• 1886: Founded the Spelling Reform Association.

   

• 1890: Elected President of ALA. Elected again in 1892.

   

• 1897: Served as the official delegate of the US Government to the International Library Conference in London.