Introduction to Classification

Introduction to Classification

Definition • Classification • The process of organization knowledge into some systematic order (Chan, 2007).

• Library classification • The systematic arrangement by subject of books and other materials on the shelves, or of catalog and index entries in the manner that is most useful to those who read or who seek a definite piece of information (Maltby, as cited by Chan, 2007).

Purposes of Library Classification (Mortimer, 2007) • Bring related items together in a helpful sequence • Provide formal orderly access to the shelves either through a direct search of the shelves or via the catalog • Enable easy reshelving of library materials • Provide an order for the classified catalog

Types of Classification (Dittmann & Hardy, 2007; Mortimer, 2007) • Enumerative classification • Attempts to enumerate all the single and composite subject concepts required

• Synthetic classification • A.K.A. faceted classification • Lists numbers for single concepts and allows the classifier to construct numbers for composite subjects

• Hierarchical classification • Based on the division of subjects from the most general to the most specific

Components of a Classification Scheme (Chan, 2007) • Schedule – the entire sequence of class numbers and captions arranged in class number order • Tables – consists of additional numbers used in conjunction with numbers from the schedule • Index – a list of terms with corresponding class numbers • Additional documentation – includes the manual or instructions on use, etc.

Notation • A system of symbols to represent classes and divisions of a classification scheme • Purposes: • To provide a brief designation of subjects • To provide an order for arrangement of library resources

• Types: • • • •

Pure notation Mixed notation Hierarchical notation Expressive notation

General guidelines for choosing a number (Chan, 2007) 1. 2. 3. 4.

Consider usefulness Make topic the primary consideration Use the most specific number available Do not classify from the index alone

General guidelines for choosing a number for multitopical works (Chan, 2007) 1. Determine the dominant topic or the phase relations 2. Class under first topic 3. Class under broader topic

Dewey Decimal Classification

Introduction • Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) was conceived by Melvil Dewey in 1873 and was first published in 1876. • A Classification and Subject Index for Cataloguing and Arranging the Books and Pamphlets of a Library

• Versions: • Full • Abridged (1894-)

• Formats: • Print • Electronic • Electronic Dewey • Dewey for Windows • WebDewey • Abridged WebDewey

• Latest edition: 23rd (2011) • Abridged edition: 15th (2012)

Major Parts of DDC (23rd ed.) • Volume 1 • • • • • • •

New features Introduction Glossary Index to the Introduction and Glossary Manual Tables Lists which compare Editions 22 and 23

• Volume 2

• Schedules: 000-599

• Volume 3

• Schedules: 600-999

• Volume 4

• Relative Index

Basic Principles • Classification by discipline • Structural hierarchy • Ten main classes • Each class is divided into ten divisions • Each division is divided into ten sections

• Notational hierarchy • Expressed by length of notation

Ten Main Classes of DDC • • • • • • • • • •

000 – Computer science, information & general works 100 – Philosophy & psychology 200 – Religion 300 – Social sciences 400 – Language 500 – Science 600 – Technology 700 – Arts & recreation 800 – Literature 900 – History & geography

Tables of DDC • Table 1 – Standard subdivisions • • • • • • • • •

-01 – Philosophy and theory -02 – Miscellany -03 – Dictionaries, encyclopedias, concordances -04 – Special topics -05 – Serial publications -06 – Organizations and management -07 – Education, research, related topics -08 – History and description with respect to kinds of persons -09 – Historical, geographic, persons treatment

• Table 2 – Geographic areas, historical periods, persons • Table 3 – Subdivisions for the arts, for individual literatures, for specific literary forms • Table 4 – Subdivisions of individual languages and language families • Table 5 – Ethnic and national groups • Table 6 – Languages

Some rules on assigning class numbers for works with more than one subject in the same discipline • Rule of application • Class a work dealing with interrelated subjects with the subject that is being acted upon

• First-of-two rule • If two subjects receive equal treatment, and are not used to introduce or explain one another, class the work with the subject whose number comes first in the schedules

• Rule of three • Class a work on three or more subjects that are all subdivisions of a broader subject in the first higher number that includes them all.

• Rule of zero • Subdivisions beginning with zero should be avoided if there is a choice between 0 and 1–9 at the same point in the hierarchy of the notation. Similarly, subdivisions beginning with 00 should be avoided when there is a choice between 00 and 0. • Example: A biography of an American Methodist missionary in China • 266.0092 biography of a missionary • 266.02373051 foreign missions of the United States in China • 266.76092 biography of a United Methodist Church missionary

Library of Congress Classification

Introduction • The Library of Congress Classification (LCC) was developed by James C. M. Hanson and Charles Martel. • First schedule developed was Class Z, but was published in 1902. • First schedule published was Class E-F in 1901. • Consists 20 main classes; 39 schedules

Formats of LCC • Print • Online version (http://www.loc.gov/aba/publications/FreeLCC/freelcc.html

• Electronic • Classification Web

Main Classes of LCC • A – General works (1) • B – Philosophy, Psychology, Religion (3) • C – Auxiliary Sciences of History (1) • D – History: General and History of Europe, Asia, etc. (2) • E-F – History: America (1) • G – Geography, Anthropology, Recreation (1) • H – Social Sciences (1) • J – Political Science (1)

• K – Law (12) • L – Education (1) • M – Music (1) • N – Fine arts (1) • P – Language and literature (9) • Q – Sciences (1) • R – Medicine (1) • S – Agriculture (1)

• T – Technology (1) • U – Military science (1) • V – Naval science (1) • Z – Bibliography, Library science, Information resources (1)

1. After initial vowel For the second letter: Use number: 2. After initial letter S For the second letter: Use number: 3. After initial letters Qu For the second letter: Use number: For initial letters Qa-Qt, use 2-29 4. After other initial consonants For the second letter: Use number: 5. For expansion For the second letter: Use number:

b 2

d 3

l-m 4

a 2

ch 3

e 4

a 3

e 4

a 3

e 4

a-d e-h 3 4

r 7

s-t 8

u-y 9

h-i m-p 5 6

t 7

u 8

w-z 9

i 5

o 6

r 7

t 8

y 9

i 5

o 6

r 7

u 8

y 9

t-v 8

w-z 9

i-l 5

n 5

p 6

m-o p-s 6 7

References: Chan, L. M. (2007). Cataloging and classification: An introduction (3rd ed.). Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press. Dittmann, H., & Hardy, J. (2007). Learn Library of Congress Classification (2nd North American ed.). Friendswood, TX: TotalRecall Publications. Mortimer, M. (2007). Learn Dewey Decimal Classification (edition 22) (First North American ed.). Friendswood, TX: TotalRecall Publications.