Devices in Library Classification

1. LIBRARY CLASSIFICATION
UNIT III , Lesson 10
DEVICES IN LIBRARY
CLASSIFICATION
DR. BABITA GAUR
UNIVERSITY OF DELHI

2. Devices in library classification
 Devices in library classification as components
used for forming or sharpening a facet in an
analytico-synthetic classification scheme. Based
on the characteristic used for this purpose, they
are called as chronological device, geographical
device, etc.
 These devices are used by classification systems
wherever helpful and possible and are applicable
both in the idea plane as well as in the notational
plane.

3. What are mnemonic devices in library
classification?
 In library classification, the mnemonics
means the power of adding the memory
that means some of its notational symbols
have more or less the same significance
through out the classification
schedule. Colon classification scheme is
best example of mnemonics.

4. How many devices are in a colon
classification?
 The four major devices used in CC are: 1)
Chronological device 2) Geographical
device 3) Subject device 4) Alphabetical
device We will discuss each of these in
brief.

5. MEANING OF THE TERM DEVICE
 According to the Dictionary meaning or the term
Device it is understood as
 something invented and constructed for a special
purpose; a design or pattern; a dramatic plot to
meet the challenge of problem situation; a tool or
apparatus by means of which new things are
formed or sharpened according to the purpose
and needs.

6. CONT…
 Regarding Devices, Ranganathan observes When new
subjects come in to existence and call for the formation of
new isolates or the sharpening of existing once and the
foregoing of number co-extensive with them, the devices
will enable the Classifier to meet the situation without
waiting for guidance from the classificationists. Correct
Employment of the devices will generally lead to the same
Isolate Idea (II and the same Isolate Number (IN) whoever is
the classifier. This is a measure of the addition to the
autonomy to the classifier, going with analytic synthetic
nature of colon classification (ColonClassification Ed.6. 129)

7. What is what in classification?
What is facet in classification?
A system for organizing materials into categories based on
a systematic combination of mutually exclusive and
collectively exhaustive characteristics of the materials
(facets) and displaying the characteristics in a manner
that shows their relationships.
Analytico-synthetic scheme, according to Ranganathan,
is used 'to denote any scheme in which a compound
subject is first analyzed into its facets in the idea plane
and later synthesized in the verbal plane and in the
notational plane respectively'.

8. The important rule of devices adopted in
library classification schemes is to form:
 1. Foci in an array of a facet in an analytic-synthetic
classification
 2. A class number in an enumerative classification
(Prolegomena Ed3 P.343)

9. TYPES OF DEVICES ADOPTED IN LIBRARY
CLASSIFICATION
 The following devices are adopted in different schemes for
library Classification;
 (a) Chronological Device (CD)
 (b) Geographical Device (GD)
 (c) Subject Device (SD)
 (d) Alphabetical Device (AD)
 (e) Enumerative Device
 (f) Superimposition Device (SID)
Let us discuss the application of the above devices in colon
classification

10. Chronological Device (CD)
 Ranganathan observes, Chronological Device is for forming the focal
ideas in an array for (1) forming or sharpening a facet in an
anaiytico-synthetic classification or (2) sharpening a subject in an
enumerative classification; on the basis of the chronological
characteristic.
 In the notational plane, the device implements it by using a
chronological number as the focal number in an array, to (1) form or
sharpen a facet number in an analyticosynthetic classification or (2)
sharpen a class number in an enumerative classification
(Prolegomena Ed,3 P.344)

11. ADVANTAGES
 To avoid enumeration and thereby shorten an
array in a schedule, and thus,
the schedule itself;
 To give autonomy to the classifier; and
 To secure automatic conformity to the canons of
consistent sequence, helpful sequence,
mnemonics, hospitality in array, and hospitality in
chain. Hospitality in chain refers to that characteristic of a notation
which allows unimpeded vertical intercalation of new classes.

12. Geographical Devices
 The Geographical devices (GD) consist in using the
appropriate characteristic like continent , country , state
, district etc.
 History of indian V44
 American Law Z7
 British law Z56

13. Chronological devices
 This devices used for epoch of origin(Date of
origin)
 DDC Scheme 2 :51M
 Bibliography classification scheme 2:51N34
 Colon classification Scheme 2:51N3

14. Subject Devices
 The subject devices consist in using the
appropriate class (subject) for the of an isolate
 Medical library 24(L)
 Agriculture library 24(J)
 Computer D6, 8 (B)

15. Alphabetical Devices
 The alphabetical Devices (AD) consist in using the
first or the first two or the first Three etc. initial
letter (all in caps ) of the name of an entity ,
existential or Conceptual , for the formation or
the subdivision of an isolate
 Maruti Car D5133M
 Mercedes Car D5133ME
 Mahindra Car D5133MAH

16. Super-Impositon Devices
 When an isolate is not scheduled in facet but can be
regarded as the mutual (Denudation. It is Progressive decrease
of extension and Increase of intention or with of a basic subject or
isolate Idea.) Of two of the scheduled isolate it is called
super-imposition devices
 National science library 213-4(A)
 National Medical library 213 – 4(L)
 National Agriculture library 213- 4 (J)