A method for caching information needed by application programs from a secondary storage in which the cache memory is organized in multiple levels, each level having multiple entries, the entries of each level receiving information of a predetermined category, each entry being accessible independently. Links are defined between entries of one level of the cache memory and entries at another level of the cache memory, the links corresponding to information relationships specified by a user of information stored in the secondary storage. The use and reuse of the cache entries is based on the links. In response to a request to a file system from an application for needed information, the needed information is fetched into the cache, and in connection with fetching the needed information, other information is prefetched from the system of files which is not immediately needed. Quotas are established on information which may be fetched from a secondary storage into the cache, the quotas being applicable to file contents within a file and to the number of files within a directory. The fetching of information from secondary storage into the cache is regulated based on the quotas. Upon a request from an application program to open a file, an entry is created in a cache corresponding to the file, the entry including file header information. The file header information is retained in the cache so long as the file remains open, whether or not any file contents of the file remain in cache. The entries of three level of the cache respectively receive directory information, file header information, and file contents information.