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. Consider usefulness
2. Make topic the primary consideration
3. Use the most specific number available
4. 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: b d l-m n p r s-t u-y
Use number: 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
2. After initial letter S
For the second letter: a ch e h-i m-p t u w-z
Use number: 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
3. After initial letters Qu
For the second letter: a e i o r t y
Use number: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
For initial letters Qa-Qt, use 2-29
4. After other initial consonants
For the second letter: a e i o r u y
Use number: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
5. For expansion
For the second letter: a-d e-h i-l m-o p-s t-v w-z
Use number: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
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.