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LIS 653, Session 7: Classification and Categorization
This document provides an overview of classification and categorization systems for organizing library collections. It discusses key components like authority control, encoding, subject headings, and classification schemes. The two main classification schemes, Dewey Decimal and Library of Congress, are enumerated and compared. Dewey is used widely in public and school libraries while Library of Congress is more common in academic libraries. The anatomy of a call number is also explained, breaking down its components.
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LIS 653, Session 7: Classification and Categorization
- 1. Classification & Categorization LIS 653 Starr Hoffman
- 2. How it AllFits Together Record Authority control (standardized author name: J. R. R. Tolkien) (representation of bibliographic information) Encoding (MARC, XML) Code (rules: AACR2, RDA) Structure (ISBD, XML) Subject headings (LCSH, Sears, AAT) Classification (shelving: LC, Dewey) Model (FRBR, trad. model) Record is displayed in an OPAC, online database, etc. Format (MARC, Dublin Core)
- 3. Overview of Classification One form of subject access (a controlled vocabulary) Enumerative vs. faceted Classification shows relationship between objects Collocation manifests this on the shelf Enables browsing One-dimensional, linear order (single class/relationship) Taxonomy = grouping things together based on similarities Enables subject-driven browsing in an OPAC Classification differs from assigning subject headings Classification: single assignment Subject headings: may assign multiple Filing order of classified objects: general to specific
- 4. Parts of aclassification scheme Schedule Lists the division of classes Instruction on which subdivisions take precedence Notation A code applied to objects to fix their arrangement within the classification scheme Exhibits the classification scheme Hospitality: able to accommodate new subjects Unassigned notation Subdivision of notation Expressiveness: able to express the hierarchical structure of the scheme, or to express the facet structure of compound topics Alphabetical index
- 5. Types of ClassificationSchemes Enumerative Can only describe hierarchical relationships Repetition of subordinate topics Danger of cross-classification of similar works Structure is easy, intuitive Faceted (analytico-synthetic) Form compound topics through synthesis All facets may be expressed Structure a bit harder to grasp Compact schedules Schemes can more readily be kept up to date
- 6. Dewey vs. Libraryof Congress Dewey Decimal Classification DDC Public libraries, school libraries Enumerative Indirect numeric system based on subject matter (rather than a shelving location, which is direct)—thus able to change shelf labels as-needed 10 main classes Extensible, scalable (able to add new subjects into the system) Dewey consolidated ideas of others (including Cutter) into one system consistent subclassifications and mnemonics (regardless of category); fewer categories & subclasses compared to LCC Library of Congress Classification LC or LCC Academic libraries Enumerative 21 main classes Basics taken from Cutter's "Expansive Classification” Subdivisions are often by country, rather than subject more highly subdivided with no mnemonic/structural consistency between disciplines
- 7. Main Classes forDDC, LCC DDC Main Classes 000 = General Works 100 = Philosophy 200 = Religion 300 = Social Sciences 400 = Languages 500 = Pure Sciences 600 = Technology (Practical Arts) includes medicine, engineering, business accounting, agriculture, salesmanship, etc. 700 = Fine Arts (includes music, photography, etc.) 800 = Literature 900 = History, Geography, Biography LCC Main Classes A = General Works B = Philosophy and Religion C = Auxiliary Sciences of History D = Universal History E & F = American History G = Geography, Anthropology, Recreation H = Social Science I = Political Science K = Law L = Education M = 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
- 8. Anatomy of aCall Number Z678.9 .L43 1985 co.2 Classification number (this example is LCC) Cutter numbers (or book numbers) are used primarily to maintain alphabetization as needed, usually based on the first letter of an author’s last name, but can also signify a corporate name, geography, title, etc. Cutter numbers are a letter followed by numbers, ordered like decimals in order, so .M395, .M4, .M47, .M5, etc. Publication years are sometimes added to further distinguish a work, particularly if an author has published multiple works with the same subject classification Work marks or copy numbers are added if there are multiple copies or other features that need to be distinguished (this particular example indicates that the book is “copy 2”)
Editor's Notes
- #3 Bibliographic record = record with descriptive information about a work (information object) that it represents Catalog = a group of records, a list of objects in a collection Model = determines how records are organized and created in a catalog (FRBR) Cataloging codes = rules for creating catalog records (AACR2, RDA) Structure = rules that help determine the order of elements & punctuation/spacing in a record (ISBD, XML) Format = format in which a record is created and/or encoded (MARC, Dublin Core) Subject heading = terms from a topical controlled vocabulary that describe the content of a work (LCSH, Sears, AAT) Authority control = term from a controlled vocabulary chosen to uniquely identify an author, corporation, book title, or series (so that all records for one author can be accessed easily) Classification scheme = assigns a unique descriptor to a work (usually based on subject), often used to indicate a work’s physical location (LC, Dewey)
- #4 In Dewey’s day, books fixed on shelves—he allowed for easier collection growth and patron browsing. It’s just one form of subject access Uses controlled vocabulary Natural vs. bibliographic classification Enumerative vs. faceted Classification shows relationship between objects (for the library world, this is done in terms of subject matter—combinations of topics) Collocation– aids in patron browsing One-dimensional, linear order—shelf arrangement may display only one classification/relationship at a time Taxonomy = grouping things together based on similarities Enables subject-driven browsing in an OPAC (catalog) Classification is different than subject cataloging (assigning subject headings) Filing order of classified objects: general to specific
- #5 Schedule Lists the division of classes (main classes or primary facet, plus subdivisions or subfacets) Instruction on which subdivisions take precedence Notation A code applied to objects to fix their arrangement within the classification scheme Exhibits the classification scheme Hospitality: able to accommodate new subjects Unassigned notation Subdivision of notation Expressiveness: able to express the hierarchical structure of the scheme, or to express the facet structure of compound topics Alphabetical index
- #7 Find (a specific work, works by a certain author, or on a certain topic) Identify (find a specific edition of a work) Select (evaluate work to determine if it meets the user need) Obtain/Access (find the object on the shelf) List (inventory all objects in the library)