About the Center

The Center for Dewey Studies is located in the Morris Library on the Basement Level. After entering the library, head down one level and look for signs pointing towards the Center. (N.B. the "Dewey Books" refer to books catalogued using the Dewey Decimal System created by Melvil Dewey and have nothing directly to do with John Dewey.) The room number of the Center is 0044.

The Center provides access to various published and archival materials by and about John Dewey. From the Center or the SIU network, you will be able to access The Collected Works of John Dewey (paper or electronic), the The Correspondence of John Dewey, 1858-2011 (Comprehensive Edition), and The Class Lectures of John Dewey (2nd Release). The Center also houses various archival materials. The Center houses thousands of secondary works about Dewey, the titles of which can be found in the Works About Dewey. The Center also has audio/visual media, photographs, biographical and bibliographical materials, and newspaper articles that deal with Dewey's life and work.

Dewey's papers, original versions of his manuscripts, his professional library, photographs, and memorabilia are housed in the Special Collections Research Center at Morris Library on the SIUC campus. If you would like to view items in Special Collections during your visit, you will need to contact Special Collections for an appointment. Visit the Special Collections website.

Guest Resources

Visit the Center
Traveling to the Center
Archival and research materials available in the Center

Contact Us

Center for Dewey Studies
Matthew J. Brown, Director
Morris Library, Room 0044
605 Agriculture Drive
Mail Code 6822
Carbondale, IL 62901

Hours of Operation

Although there will be activity at the Center for Dewey Studies this Summer, we will not hold regular drop-in hours for visitors. We welcome visitors by appointment. The Center will have open office hours again starting in Fall semester.

Please email us to make an appointment to visit the Center.

Phone:: (618) 453-4347
Email:: deweycenter@siu.edu

Information

Dewey Center Reading Group

The Center for Dewey Studies hosts a Reading Group on works by and about John Dewey and related figures and topics. The meetings are hybrid, in person at the Center and via Zoom. Please email DeweyCenter@SIU.edu if you would like to join the group and receive emails about future meetings.

In Fall 2025, the reading group will focus on Reconstruction in Philosophy.
Join our Email List

You can sign up for our mailing list for announcements by sending an email or by visiting the SIU Listserv website.
Collection Access

Please consult the John Dewey Research Guide for information about Critical Editions and Archival Collections. For questions concerning access to the SIU Archival Collections, including the John Dewey Papers, Photograph Collection, and Personal Library, please visit the Special Collections Research Center website. The Dewey Center also holds a small number of archival materials.
Planning to visit the Center?
The Center for Dewey Studies is located in the Morris Library on the Basement Level. After entering the library, head down one level and look for signs pointing towards the Center.

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