LS 500 Lecture 12 Classification of Information Resources II: Public Library Schemes AKA - The "Dewey Decimal Classification" Lecture Steven L. MacCall, Ph.D. Associate Professor School of Library and Information Studies The University of Alabama

Classification Definitions The act of organizing a body of knowledge into a systematic order. In libraries: The systematic arrangement by subject of books and other materials on shelves, or of catalog and index entries, in a manner that is most useful to those who read or those who seek a definite piece of information: Shelving device Organization device

The act of organizing a body of knowledge into a systematic order.

In libraries: The systematic arrangement by subject of books and other materials on shelves, or of catalog and index entries, in a manner that is most useful to those who read or those who seek a definite piece of information:

Shelving device

Organization device

Characteristics of a Classification System Inclusive as well as comprehensive. Systematic. Flexible and expansive. Employ terminology that is clear and descriptive. Indexed.

Inclusive as well as comprehensive.

Systematic.

Flexible and expansive.

Employ terminology that is clear and descriptive.

Indexed.

The Nature of Book Classification Collocating objective: Bringing like things together on library shelves: Subject criterion: What about books on multiple topics? Author criterion: What about books by multiple authors? Subject/author criteria: What about books by the same author, but on different topics? Solving the need for a system of unique identification in open stack libraries through notational systems and call numbers.

Collocating objective: Bringing like things together on library shelves:

Subject criterion: What about books on multiple topics?

Author criterion: What about books by multiple authors?

Subject/author criteria: What about books by the same author, but on different topics?

Solving the need for a system of unique identification in open stack libraries through notational systems and call numbers.

Notation Types Classmarks are notation that represent a subject class, including its relation to other classes in the scheme. Most common types: Pure – e.g., DDC employs Arabic numerals Mixed – e.g., LCC employs an alpha-numeric notation Mnemonics: Repeating class notation patterns throughout classification This technique is also used in the MaRC system

Classmarks are notation that represent a subject class, including its relation to other classes in the scheme.

Most common types:

Pure – e.g., DDC employs Arabic numerals

Mixed – e.g., LCC employs an alpha-numeric notation

Mnemonics:

Repeating class notation patterns throughout classification

This technique is also used in the MaRC system

Shelf Arrangement and Sub-arrangement Library classification schemes provide: A systematic method for shelf arrangement in open stack libraries A systematic method for sub-arrangement within each class To accomplish this goal, catalogers synthesize (i.e., create) class numbers to represent the subject of a book. This process remains transparent to the user, i.e., the user is more interested in the fact that books are collocated on the shelf rather than how the numbers were determined.

Library classification schemes provide:

A systematic method for shelf arrangement in open stack libraries

A systematic method for sub-arrangement within each class

To accomplish this goal, catalogers synthesize (i.e., create) class numbers to represent the subject of a book.

This process remains transparent to the user, i.e., the user is more interested in the fact that books are collocated on the shelf rather than how the numbers were determined.

Historical Development of DDC First published 1876 – “A Classification and Subject Index for Cataloging and Arranging the Books and Pamphlets of a Library:” Current edition: 22 nd Electronic version available Most widely used classification scheme in the world (135 countries – translated into 30 languages). Innovations: Relative index Integrity of numbers (with 2 nd edition)

First published 1876 – “A Classification and Subject Index for Cataloging and Arranging the Books and Pamphlets of a Library:”

Current edition: 22 nd

Electronic version available

Most widely used classification scheme in the world (135 countries – translated into 30 languages).

Innovations:

Relative index

Integrity of numbers (with 2 nd edition)

Conceptual Framework of DDC Basic classes are organized by discipline (i.e., fields of study). Divisions of DDC: Ten main classes (0XX, 1XX, 2XX, etc), which together cover the entire world of knowledge Each main class is divided into ten divisions (100 total divisions in DDC) Each division is divided into ten sections (1000 total sections in DDC)

Basic classes are organized by discipline (i.e., fields of study).

Divisions of DDC:

Ten main classes (0XX, 1XX, 2XX, etc), which together cover the entire world of knowledge

Each main class is divided into ten divisions (100 total divisions in DDC)

Each division is divided into ten sections (1000 total sections in DDC)

Conceptual Framework (cont.) Class 000 is most general: Used for works not limited to any on specific discipline (e.g., encyclopedias, newspapers, general periodicals) Used for certain specialized disciplines that deal with knowledge and information (e.g., library science, computer science, journalism) Each of the other main classes (1XX to 9XX) comprises a major discipline or group of related disciplines. DDC IS ARRANGED PRIMARILY BY DISCIPLE AND NOT BY SUBJECT; therefore, a given subject is likely to appear under more than one class numbers.

Class 000 is most general:

Used for works not limited to any on specific discipline (e.g., encyclopedias, newspapers, general periodicals)

Used for certain specialized disciplines that deal with knowledge and information (e.g., library science, computer science, journalism)

Each of the other main classes (1XX to 9XX) comprises a major discipline or group of related disciplines.

DDC IS ARRANGED PRIMARILY BY DISCIPLE AND NOT BY SUBJECT; therefore, a given subject is likely to appear under more than one class numbers.

Relative Index Disciplinary focus of DDC causes subjects to be scattered across the classification; therefore, a centralized subject index (the Relative Index) to the schedules is needed. Relative index relates subjects to the various disciplines to which they may belong: Journalism – generally found at 070.4 Journalism – civil rights issues at 323.445 Journalism – sociology at 302.23 Dewey’s theoretical contribution to library classification.

Disciplinary focus of DDC causes subjects to be scattered across the classification; therefore, a centralized subject index (the Relative Index) to the schedules is needed.

Relative index relates subjects to the various disciplines to which they may belong:

Journalism – generally found at 070.4

Journalism – civil rights issues at 323.445

Journalism – sociology at 302.23

Dewey’s theoretical contribution to library classification.

Principle of Hierarchy Structural hierarchy (inheritance): Whatever is true of the whole is true of the parts This is termed “hierarchical force” Example: All classmarks under 5XX are related to the natural sciences and/or mathematics All classmarks under 612.1… are related to blood and circulation Notational hierarchy (relationships between concepts): Subordinate: 621.4 is subordinate to 621 Coordinate: 621.4 is coordinate with 621.6 Superordinate: 621 is superordinate to 621.4

Structural hierarchy (inheritance):

Whatever is true of the whole is true of the parts

This is termed “hierarchical force”

Example:

All classmarks under 5XX are related to the natural sciences and/or mathematics

All classmarks under 612.1… are related to blood and circulation

Notational hierarchy (relationships between concepts):

Subordinate: 621.4 is subordinate to 621

Coordinate: 621.4 is coordinate with 621.6

Superordinate: 621 is superordinate to 621.4

Revision Procedures for DDC Suggestions sent to Library of Congress. Reviewed by: LC – Decimal Classification Division OCLC – Forest Press 6 DDC editors Editorial Policy Committee (EPC)

Suggestions sent to Library of Congress.

Reviewed by:

LC – Decimal Classification Division

OCLC – Forest Press

6 DDC editors

Editorial Policy Committee (EPC)

DDC EPC ( Editorial Policy Committee) Works closely with Dewey editors to: Suggest changes Facilitate innovations Monitor general development of the Classification EPC reviews all versions of the Classification: Print WebDewey Full edition Abridged edition

Works closely with Dewey editors to:

Suggest changes

Facilitate innovations

Monitor general development of the Classification

EPC reviews all versions of the Classification:

Print

WebDewey

Full edition

Abridged edition

EPC Membership 10 member international committee. Elected membership represents Dewey users worldwide. Members comes from all types of libraries. Current representation: American Library Association Australian Committee on Cataloguing Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals Library of Congress National Library of Canada OCLC

10 member international committee.

Elected membership represents Dewey users worldwide.

Members comes from all types of libraries.

Current representation:

American Library Association

Australian Committee on Cataloguing

Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals

Library of Congress

National Library of Canada

OCLC

Types of DDC Revisions Expansion: Introduction of new subject as part of a class scheme Provides more minute subdivisions Blood and Circulation example (612.1) in WebDewey (100055258; slis) Reduction: Rarely used subdivisions are deleted and marked by brackets ([]) in the class scheme listing “ Starvation policy” allows DDC to phase out the deleted numbers with the next edition printed

Expansion:

Introduction of new subject as part of a class scheme

Provides more minute subdivisions

Blood and Circulation example (612.1) in WebDewey (100055258; slis)

Reduction:

Rarely used subdivisions are deleted and marked by brackets ([]) in the class scheme listing

“ Starvation policy” allows DDC to phase out the deleted numbers with the next edition printed

Types of Revisions (cont.) Relocations: To rectify an improper placement To eliminate duel provisions To make room for new subjects when there is not available number room To realign fields of knowledge Reconstructed schedules (“Phoenix schedules”): An entire schedule is reconstructed without regard to previous divisions Rarely used due to integrity of numbers practice

Relocations:

To rectify an improper placement

To eliminate duel provisions

To make room for new subjects when there is not available number room

To realign fields of knowledge

Reconstructed schedules (“Phoenix schedules”):

An entire schedule is reconstructed without regard to previous divisions

Rarely used due to integrity of numbers practice

Classifying with DDC First, determine subject of work. Second, determine discipline of work. Third, translate findings into appropriate DDC class.

First, determine subject of work.

Second, determine discipline of work.

Third, translate findings into appropriate DDC class.

Determining Subject of a Work Subject analysis is central to library classification. Must determine the intent of the author by examining: Title – never the sole source (Who Moved my Cheese?) Table of contents – lists main topics discussed Preface and introduction – can indicate author’s intent Scanning text, itself – provides guidance and confirmation Bibliographic references – can also list topics discussed Outside sources – helpful for verifying advanced subject

Subject analysis is central to library classification.

Must determine the intent of the author by examining:

Title – never the sole source (Who Moved my Cheese?)

Table of contents – lists main topics discussed

Preface and introduction – can indicate author’s intent

Scanning text, itself – provides guidance and confirmation

Bibliographic references – can also list topics discussed

Outside sources – helpful for verifying advanced subject

Determining Discipline of a Work Guiding principle is that a work is classed in the discipline for which it is intended rather than in the discipline from which the work is derived. This enables works that are used together to be shelved together. Example: Zoologist’s book on agricultural pest control would be classed with other books on pest control rather than with other books on zoology.

Guiding principle is that a work is classed in the discipline for which it is intended rather than in the discipline from which the work is derived.

This enables works that are used together to be shelved together.

Example: Zoologist’s book on agricultural pest control would be classed with other books on pest control rather than with other books on zoology.

Multiple Subjects/Same Discipline Class works covering interrelated subjects with the subject that is being acted upon (rule of application): “ Shakespeare’s Influence on Keats” with Keats “ Great Depression’s Impact on American Art” with American Art Class works covering two subjects with the subject that is given the fuller treatment.

Class works covering interrelated subjects with the subject that is being acted upon (rule of application):

“ Shakespeare’s Influence on Keats” with Keats

“ Great Depression’s Impact on American Art” with American Art

Class works covering two subjects with the subject that is given the fuller treatment.

Multiple Subjects/Same Discipline (cont.) Class works covering two subjects equally with the subject whose number appears first in the schedules (first-of-two rule): There may be exceptions in instructions in the schedules (see note at 598) Class works covering three or more subjects that are all subdivisions of a broader subject with the first higher subject that includes them all (rule of three): “ History of Portugal [946.9], Sweden [948.5] and Greece [949.5]” is classed with the history of Europe at 940.

Class works covering two subjects equally with the subject whose number appears first in the schedules (first-of-two rule):

There may be exceptions in instructions in the schedules (see note at 598)

Class works covering three or more subjects that are all subdivisions of a broader subject with the first higher subject that includes them all (rule of three):

“ History of Portugal [946.9], Sweden [948.5] and Greece [949.5]” is classed with the history of Europe at 940.

More than One Discipline These works are examples of interdisciplinary research. Interdisciplinarity is predictable; therefore, there may already be a place in the schedules for works that are interdisciplinary: Check for interdisciplinary numbers, such as 305.231 Class works not give an interdisciplinary number in the discipline given the fullest treatment

These works are examples of interdisciplinary research.

Interdisciplinarity is predictable; therefore, there may already be a place in the schedules for works that are interdisciplinary:

Check for interdisciplinary numbers, such as 305.231

Class works not give an interdisciplinary number in the discipline given the fullest treatment

Key Features of Schedules and Tables Summaries. Entries. Notes.

Summaries.

Entries.

Notes.

DDC Summaries Summaries provide an overview of the structure of a class. “ Birds eye view” of a section of the DDC to help classifier to focus in on the possible classes numbers for a work. Because of hierarchical force, summaries at main class, divisional and sectional levels hold for all subordinate class numbers.

Summaries provide an overview of the structure of a class.

“ Birds eye view” of a section of the DDC to help classifier to focus in on the possible classes numbers for a work.

Because of hierarchical force, summaries at main class, divisional and sectional levels hold for all subordinate class numbers.

Entries in the DDC Schedules Each entry contains a Dewey class number and descriptive information: Heading Notes Additional Dewey class numbers may be: In parentheses – these numbers provide alternatives to standard practices In brackets – these numbers represent subjects that have been discontinued or relocated

Each entry contains a Dewey class number and descriptive information:

Heading

Notes

Additional Dewey class numbers may be:

In parentheses – these numbers provide alternatives to standard practices

In brackets – these numbers represent subjects that have been discontinued or relocated

Notes in the DDC Schedules Notes provide additional information that is not obvious from a class’s position in the notational hierarchy. Classes of notes: Notes that describe what is found in a class Including notes Notes that describe what is found in other classes Notes that explain changes or irregularities

Notes provide additional information that is not obvious from a class’s position in the notational hierarchy.

Classes of notes:

Notes that describe what is found in a class

Including notes

Notes that describe what is found in other classes

Notes that explain changes or irregularities

Notes that Describe What is Found Scope notes – see 700 Number-built notes – see 353.13263 Former-heading notes – see 659.1315 Variant-name notes – see 332.32 Class-here notes – see 371.192 Used to indicate interdisciplinary numbers – see 391 Used to instruct on comprehensive works – see 641.815

Scope notes – see 700

Number-built notes – see 353.13263

Former-heading notes – see 659.1315

Variant-name notes – see 332.32

Class-here notes – see 371.192

Used to indicate interdisciplinary numbers – see 391

Used to instruct on comprehensive works – see 641.815

Including Notes Identify subjects that have “standing room,” i.e., subjects that are likely to grow in the future, thus eventually requiring their own Dewey class numbers – see 362.16

Identify subjects that have “standing room,” i.e., subjects that are likely to grow in the future, thus eventually requiring their own Dewey class numbers – see 362.16

Notes Pointing to Other Class Numbers Class-elsewhere notes – see 791.43 See references – see 577.7 See-also references – see 584.3

Class-elsewhere notes – see 791.43

See references – see 577.7

See-also references – see 584.3

Notes that Explain Irregularities Revision notes used to indicate when a subdivision or class has been completely or extensively revised (did not occur in 22 nd Ed.) Discontinued notes – see 306.853 Relocation notes – see 624.5 and 624.23

Revision notes used to indicate when a subdivision or class has been completely or extensively revised (did not occur in 22 nd Ed.)

Discontinued notes – see 306.853

Relocation notes – see 624.5 and 624.23

Number Building The synthesis of two numbers to create a complex Dewey class number. Can be multiple Dewey numbers synthesized into a single number: Book on advertising in libraries  619.1902 Use 619.19 for advertising in special organizations 02 for libraries (dropping the trailing 0 from 020) Can also be synthesized using one of seven Dewey tables.

The synthesis of two numbers to create a complex Dewey class number.

Can be multiple Dewey numbers synthesized into a single number:

Book on advertising in libraries  619.1902

Use 619.19 for advertising in special organizations

02 for libraries (dropping the trailing 0 from 020)

Can also be synthesized using one of seven Dewey tables.

DDC Tables – Overview Table 1 – Standard Subdivisions: Contains mnemonics for standard subdivisions Used to add facets to the class number (education is 072, geographical is 09, etc) Table 2 – Geographic Areas, Historical Periods, Persons: Contains mnemonics for geographical areas, etc Used to add geographic facets to the class number: United States is 973 Southeastern states is 975 Alabama is 976.1 Tuscaloosa County is 976.184

Table 1 – Standard Subdivisions:

Contains mnemonics for standard subdivisions

Used to add facets to the class number (education is 072, geographical is 09, etc)

Table 2 – Geographic Areas, Historical Periods, Persons:

Contains mnemonics for geographical areas, etc

Used to add geographic facets to the class number:

United States is 973

Southeastern states is 975

Alabama is 976.1

Tuscaloosa County is 976.184

DDC Tables – Overview (cont.) Table 3 – Subdivisions for the Arts, for Individual Literatures, for Specific Literary Forms: Contains mnemonics for subdivisions for the arts, for individual literatures, for specific literary forms Tables 3A-3C needed to determine specific notation to be used Table 4 – Subdivisions of individual languages and language families. Table 5 – Racial, ethnic, national groups. Table 6 – Languages. Table 7 – Groups of persons.

Table 3 – Subdivisions for the Arts, for Individual Literatures, for Specific Literary Forms:

Contains mnemonics for subdivisions for the arts, for individual literatures, for specific literary forms

Tables 3A-3C needed to determine specific notation to be used

Table 4 – Subdivisions of individual languages and language families.

Table 5 – Racial, ethnic, national groups.

Table 6 – Languages.

Table 7 – Groups of persons.

Using Table One Used to connect a subject with a standard facet: – 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/description w/ respect to kinds of persons – 09 Historical, geographic, persons treatment

Used to connect a subject with a standard facet:

– 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/description w/ respect to kinds of persons

– 09 Historical, geographic, persons treatment

Using Table One (cont.) When analyzing Table One numbers (and Table One numbers ONLY), looking for the connecting “0” between subject and facet. Look up subject class in the schedules. Look up facet class in Table One. Most of the time, the connecting “0” is the first occurrence: 635.13074 = 635.13 for Carrots and 074 for catalogs But not always: 020.25 = 020 for LIS and 025 for Directories

When analyzing Table One numbers (and Table One numbers ONLY), looking for the connecting “0” between subject and facet.

Look up subject class in the schedules.

Look up facet class in Table One.

Most of the time, the connecting “0” is the first occurrence:

635.13074 = 635.13 for Carrots and 074 for catalogs

But not always: 020.25 = 020 for LIS and 025 for Directories

Coding DDC in MaRC Records Tag 082 See 082 entry . Note indicators and subfields for Dewey edition used.

Tag 082

See 082 entry .

Note indicators and subfields for Dewey edition used.