CLASSIFICATION

AN INTRODUCTION

DEFINITION

Classification is the meaningful grouping of persons, things, animals, and so forth in a systematic way. Examples in everyday life where systematic groupings are used include: * supermarkets * employees * schools * mails * personal papers

A classification scheme organizes subjects systematically and shows their relationships Our world is classified by an infinite number of schemes, from the organization of supermarket shelves to scientific classification of species and subspecies to the groupings and ranking of employees in the workplace, whether by qualifications, duties performed, salary and/or status and so on.

Library Classification
The basic principle of library classification is to group the items on the shelves according to their subjects content, or sometimes literary or bibliographic form. Works which are used together should be shelved together Literary warrant ie the volume of works which have been written, or likely to be written, on any topic should be a primary factor in the formation of a classification scheme.

Purposes of Library Classification

Library classification schemes serve to:

Bring related items together in a helpful sequence Provide formal orderly access to the shelves either through a direct search of the shelves (browsing) or via the catalogue Enable any reshelving of library materials Provide an order for the classified catalogue

Types of Classification

Enumerative classification attempts to spell out (enumerate) all the single and composite subject concepts required - eg Library of Congress, Dewey Decimal Classification Synthetic classification, also called facet classification, lists numbers for single concepts and allows the classifier to construct (synthesis) numbers for composite subjects eg Colon Classification, Universal Decimal Classification, some features of DDC.

 Hierarchical

classification is based on the division of subjects from the most general to the most specific eg Dewey Decimal Classification, Library of Congress.

Features of a Classifiction Scheme

Library

classification scheme generally have the following features:

Schedules Notation Index Number

building

* Tables

Schedules
The schedules are the printed, enumerated classess, divisions, etc of the scheme, number order. Schedules range from fairly sparse to extremely detailed. In general, the more enumerative the scheme, the more detailed the schedule, the more synthetic, the slimmer the schedules.

Schedules
The Library of Congress Classification schedules are much lengthier than the Dewey Decimal Classification schedules, since DDC relies more on number building, whereas LCC lists more of its numbers. In addition, schedules usually have: * a general class * form classes * form divisions

Schedules
The generalities class is used for very general topics, and comprehensive combination eg current affairs, general encyclopedias Form classes are used for literature. That is, the items are grouped not according to subject, but according to the literary form poetry, drama, prose, etc. in which they are written. These classes also include literary criticism.

Schedules
Form divisions are used for works on any subject which are presented in a particular bibliographic form eg dictionary, periodical.

Notation
The notation of a classification scheme is the series of symbols which stand for the classes, subclasses, divisions and subdivision of classes. Notation is used to: * indicate a subject * show its relationship to a class * provide a sequential order for arrangement

Notation
Pure notation is the use of only one type of symbol, such as numbers eg Dewey Decimal Classification 342.569

Mixed notation is the use of more than one type of symbol, such as numbers and letters eg Library of Congress Classification TK51011.H37 1994

Notation
Good notation should : * convey order clearly and automatically * be as brief and simple as possible * be easy to say, write and remember * be flexible, allowing insertion at any point without dislocating the sequence * facilitate the use of mnemonics (memory aids)

Index
The index is the alphabetical list of the terms used in the schedules, together with the corresponding notation. It provides verbal access to the schedules. It should include, as far as possible, all synonyms for the term and a breakdown of parts of the subject.

Index
There are two types of index: * specific - with only one entry for each topic mentioned in the schedules * relative enumerating all topics and synonyms, and showing the relation of each topic to all the disciplines in which it is found

Number Building
This is the ability of the scheme to allow the construction of notation to include items not specifically mentioned in the schedules.

Classification Policy and the User

Classification scheme are often modified by libraries to suit their users needs. Libraries need a local classification policy that may be used in preference to others. * Some equivalent numbers may be used in preference to others. * Location symbols may be used to group materials eg., fiction, reference, periodicals * Numbers from copy cataloguing records may require adjustments to be a certain length.

Classification Policy and the User

* Libraries may create their own local classification based on an existing scheme, or use another classification scheme for special collections. For example, some libraries locate their books and journals in separate collections for their users benefit, and may shelve the journals alphabetically by title.

Classification Policy and the User

The library of Congress assists other libraries by providing alternate classification numbers in its cataloguing records for works that can be appropriately classified at another class number. These are usually for incunabula, subject bibliographies, monographs in series and for works classified by the National Library of Medicine.