Classification

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Classification
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Classification
Literary warrant
Dewey Decimal Classification
DDC
Cutter numbers
Call numbers
Pure notation classification
Mixed notation classification
Library classification
Library of Congress Classification
LCC
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Classification

• "... the act of organizing the universe of
  knowledge into some systematic order." - Chan

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Library classification

• the systematic arrangement by subject of books
  and other materials on the shelves or of
  catalogue and index entries in the manner which
  is most useful to those who seek a definite piece
  of information. - Maltby

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Library classification - uses

• Gathering material by subject for browsing
• Shelf
• Digital
• Providing location for finding

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Classification basics

• Classification schemes are
• either Enumerative
• or Faceted (Synthetic)
• Classification schemes are
• either based on Structure of knowledge
• or Literary warrant

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A good classification must

• Be comprehensive
• Allocate space in accordance with the literature
  of each discipline
• Place related subjects in proximity
• Allow for change
• Extension
• Reordering

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Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC)

• Dewey Decimal Classification provides us with a
  way of organizing knowledge.
• Devised by Melvil Dewey in 1876.
• It is used in 200,000 libraries worldwide in more
  than 135 countries
• Used in 59 national bibliographies

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DDC Dewey Decimal Classification

• Classification by discipline
• Pure notation (only numbers)
• Hierarchical structure (reflected in the
  notation) from the broadest to the most specific
  topics
• Structure of knowledge

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DDC Classes

• 000 Generalities 100 Philosophy
  Psychology 200 Religion 300 Social Science 400
  Language 500 Natural Science Mathematics 600
  Technology (applied sciences) 700 The Arts 800
  Literature rhetoric 900 Geography History.

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DDC hierarchy
Decimal
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Hierarchy of 677.391

• 6 Technology (applied sciences)
• 7 Manufacturing
• 7 Textiles
• 3 Textiles of animal fibers
• 9 Silk
• 1 Cultivated silk

6 7 7 . 3 9 1
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DDC versions

• DDC available in Printed, 22nd edition 2003 (four
  volumes)
• The electronic version WebDewey
• OCLC is the publisher of the DDC

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Library of Congress Classification System

• originally developed by Herbert Putnam with the
  advice of Charles Ammi Cutter in 1897
• It was influenced by Cutter Expansive
  Classification and DDC, designed for the use by
  the LC

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LCC Library of Congress Classification

• Highly enumerative with mixed notation
• Literary warrant
• Revised continuously
• 21 Classes developed by subject specialists
• Example LCC number for Christmas GT4985

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Library of Congress Classification

• The 21 categories (labeled A to Z, but missing I,
  O, W, X and Y) are further divided by adding one
  or two additional letters and/or a set of numbers
  
• The letters identify the subject of the work

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LC Classes

• A -- GENERAL WORK
• B -- PHILOSOPHY. PSYCHOLOGY. RELIGION
• C -- AUXILIARY SCIENCES OF HISTORY
• D -- HISTORY (GENERAL) AND EUROPE
• E -- HISTORY AMERICA
• F -- HISTORY AMERICA
• G -- GEOGRAPHY. ANTHROPOLOGY. RECREATION
• H -- SOCIAL SCIENCES
• J -- POLITICAL SCIENCE
• K -- LAW
• L -- EDUCATION

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LC Classes (cont.)

• M -- MUSIC AND BOOKS ON MUSIC
• N -- FINE ARTS
• P -- LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE
• Q -- SCIENCE
• R -- MEDICINE
• S -- AGRICULTURE
• T -- TECHNOLOGY
• U -- MILITARY SCIENCE
• V -- NAVAL SCIENCE
• Z -- BIBLIOGRAPHY. LIBRARY SCIENCE.
  INFORMATION RESOURCES

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Subclasses of Class L (education)
Class L Education (General)
Subclass LA History of education
Subclass LB Theory and practice of
education Subclass LC Special aspects of
education Subclass LD Individual
institutions - United States Subclass LE
Individ. Instit. - America (except US) Subclass
LF Individual institutions - Europe
Subclass LG Individ. instit. - Asia,
Africa, New Zealand Subclass LH College
and school magazines and papers Subclass
LJ Student fraternities and societies,
US Subclass LT Textbooks
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LCC Hierarchy

• QD Chemistry
• 23.3-26.5 Alchemy
• 71-142 Analytical chemistry
• 146-197 Inorganic chemistry
• 241-441 Organic Chemistry
• 450-731 Physical and theoretical
  chemistry
• 901-999 Crystallography

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Biography of Wayne Gretzky

• GV Recreation and leisure
• 848.5 Number indicating biography associated
  with hockey
• .G73 Cutter number for Gretzky

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Cutter numbers

• Alphabetical device
• DDC
• create item/book number (main entry Cutter) D556
  (Dickens), D557 (Dickenson)
• LCC
• further extend classification number (topical
  Cutter)
• create item/book number (main entry Cutter)

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Example of a book number

• Z class
• 8587 integer 1 to 9999
• .8 possible decimal extension
• A46 Book number
• 1991 year of publication

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Call numbers

• Call classification shelving device
• Typically includes
• Classification number
• Main entry Cutter number
• Date
• Identifies and locates an item

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LC Example

• Redmond, Gerald. 1993. Wayne Gretzky the great
  one.
• GV 848.5 G73 R318 1993
• GV 848.5 Recreation and leisure. Hockey.
  Biography.
• G73 -- Gretzky (biographee) about
• R318 -- Redmond (main entry)
• 1993 -- Date of publication

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Comparing LCC and DDC

• LCC is more specific than DDC
• DDC is more flexible than LCC
• What kind of library would benefit from DDC? From
  LCC? Why?

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Classification schemes (basics)
DDC
LCC
Faceted Synthetic
Structure of Knowledge
Enumerative
Literary warrant
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