This document discusses the normative principles and canons of classification. It defines different levels of principles - basic laws, fundamental laws, canons, and principles. It then describes six basic laws proposed by Dr. S.R. Ranganathan to govern the basic process of thinking in classification: the laws of interpretation, impartiality, symmetry, parsimony, local variation, and osmosis. It also discusses the meaning of a canon, and provides examples of the canons for characteristics and differentiation.

1. CANONS OF
CLASSIFICATION
Dr. YESAN S
Assistant Professor, DLIS

2. Normative
Principles of
classification
:
(scientific
basis to the
field of
classification)
Purpose
– Functions as Basis for a scheme
for classification
– To carry out critical study of a
given scheme
– Helpful in comparing different
schemes
– Interpretation of the rules and
schedules of a scheme
– Guidance to the classifier
– Helpful to develop a theory and
provide a scientific basis to
theory

3. Normative Principles
Levels Name of Normative
Principles
Basic Process of
Thinking
Basic Laws
Library Science Fundamental Laws
Classification Canons
Helpful Sequence in
array
Principles
Work of Classifying Postulates and principles
for facet sequence

4. Contd.,
■ The term ‘Basic law’ is used at the level of a
basic process of thinking
■ ‘Fundamental Law’ is applied at the level of
library science as a discipline
■ ‘Canon’ – used in the context of divisions of the
first order of the discipline of library science
■ ‘Principle’ - applied in the context of the second
order of library science, such as helpful
sequence in array and facet sequence.

5. Levels of
Plane of
work
Dr. S.R.
Ranganathan
formulated three
levels/ planes of
work to explain the
design and
application of work
• All aspects of the universe of
knowledge are analyzed by a
structure, dimension, quality,
characteristics, kind of relationship,
and bond of strength among each
item of knowledge
Idea Plane
(aka invisible
plane)
• Expression of Concepts in a natural
language or in technical
terminology provided in the
schedule of classification
Verbal Plane
• Verbal Plane are transformed into
Classificatory language – ordinal
numbers used to represent various
subjects and isolate ideas.
Notational
Plane

6. Basic Laws (to govern the basic process
of thinking)
1. Law of Interpretation
2. Law of Impartiality
3. Law of Symmetry
4. Law of Parsimony
5. Law of Local Variation
6. Law of Osmosis

7. 1. Law of Interpretation
■ According to S.R. Ranganathan, Canons, principles,
postulates, and rules of classification / or cataloguing
code – can be considered as a legal document, requires
interpretation. With the aid of the laws of interpretation,
they can be modified to solve the conflicts
■ S.R. Ranganathan suggested that Colon Classification
should be scrutinized from the angle of these laws.

8. 2. Law of Impartiality
■ The law states that between two or more claimants
(Example: In case of joint authorship in cataloguing or
choice of position among two facets of subjects in
classification) preference to be given only on sufficient
grounds and not arbitrarily.
■ The law of impartiality directs that the sequence of
facets in different subjects or choice of heading in
authorship. The sequence should be based on some
guiding principles of general nature, equally applicable
to all subjects or headings.
■ SRR suggested for equal weightage to the names of all
the authors for choice of headings.

9. 3. Law of Symmetry
■ Symmetry Means ‘correct proportions’ or ‘balance’ or
‘equal weightage’
■ This law advocates equal weightage to two entities in an
entry.
■ Eg. In case of a joint authorship work, law of symmetry
suggests that in the heading of the Main Entry, we
should write the names of the both authors in the
sequence in which they occur on the title page.

10. 4. Law of Parsimony
■ Parsimony literary means “thrift, or quality of being stingy or
using money and other resources carefully and not wastefully”.
■ Achieve overall economy in all library affairs
■ The law advocates that between two or more possible alternatives
relating to a particular phenomenon, the one leading to overall
economy of manpower, material, money and time, considered
together with proper weightage, is to be preferred.
■ Eg. Reclassification of library materials
– Reclassify only those part of the collections that are known to
be in much use
– Full or Short description in catalogue entry
– Printed or Handwritten catalogue

11. 5. Law of Local Variation
■ The law of local variation says that in any discipline and
technique, there should be provision for users of them to
secure, for strictly local use, results alternative to those for
general use
■ This law guides in case of problems of local variations and
directs towards the formation of special collections of
documents separate from the general collection.
■ The word ‘local’ refers to a geographical area of any size
– American Interests
– Indian Interests
– Tamil interests

12. 6. Law of Osmosis
■ Osmosis means ‘the process of gradual or unconscious
assimilation of ideas, knowledge’
■ The law suggests that if there is a change in the cataloging
code or in the scheme of classification as advocated by the
canon of context, the library should gradually start
catalogue or classify newly acquired material according to
the new code and scheme. Then gradually classify the old
collections which is known to be in much use and so on.
■ This approach is practicable, can be done without affecting
the budget and routine service of the library and also cost-
effective

13. Meaning of Canon
Canon of Classification is an established general law, rule,
principle, or criterion by which something is judged of the
classification
First use of “Canons of library classification” by WCB Sayers
Dr. S.R. Ranganathan – in his book Prolegomena to Library
Classification (1937) presented this Canon as a classification
method

14. Canon for Characteristics
■ Arranging according to their likeness, or dislike-
ness.
■ Different principles that recommended certain
characteristics to be selected for the process of
classification called Canons for Classification

15. Canon of Differentiation