Dewey, Melvil (1851-1931), an American librarian, began the decimal library-classification system. He founded the American Library Association and Library Journal in 1876. He became chief librarian of Columbia University in 1883 and established the first library school there in 1887. He served as director of the New York State Library from 1889 to 1906. Dewey was born in Adams Center, N.Y.