Module LIS/KOP C/4: Classification and its components 1. Glossary Automated classification system: As contrasted from usual print systems automated library classification systems are in a machine readable data format. Their standard for formatting in MARC21 Concise Format for Classification Data (2003). Book numbers: A device to sub-arrange documents in a library having the same ultimate class number. Mostly two opposing systems are popular for book numbering, namely alphabetical by author, and chronological by the year of publication. For Alphabetical system mostly Cutter tables are used, whereas chronological method was invented by W.S. Biscoe, but perfected by S.R. Ranganathan. Apart from these two there are other numerous well known but less used system designed for special materials such as literary works, periodicals, biographies, fiction etc. In the Library of Congress Classification book number is an integral part of the Call number. These are also known as author or cutter numbers Call number: A composite number comprising of class number, book number and collection number which provides a unique and complete shelf address of the document. Common auxiliaries: Known by various names in different classification systems these are non-subject recurring features of documents. These are Subdivisions commonly applicable to the class numbers in the main schedules. Their name and notation remains the same wherever applied. In the CC these are known as common isolates, and in the DDC, standard subdivisions. These make the system synthetic and notation mnemonic.over the years their number and variety have increased. In the DDC there are now six such tables. Ranganathan once envisaged to convert all the special isolates (subject divisions) into a few common isolates. Indeed in the CC-7 the tables and number of various common isolates is amazing. Form classes
A non-fiction publication has a subject and form (of its presentation). In Journal of Commerce journal is the form, and commerce is the subject. But sometimes the form itself becomes the subject, then it is a form class.in History of Journals, journals is the subject, whereas history is its form. Cyclopediology is the subject on the form cyclopedias. All the library classifications reserve a place, usually among the generalia class for such subjects. In the DDC 030, 050, 060 and 090 are form classes. In the CC formmain classes are denoted by a/y. Generalia class: In the universe of knowledge, there are no generalia subjects, each subjects has its unique place there.but there are generalia documents which cover topics across many subjects. A newspaper covers everything under the sun. Limca book of facts is not confined to one subject. A Library Classification has to provide a place to such subjects which usually precedes the disciplinary classes. It is termed as Generalia class. In the DDC, the Division 010-090 is reserved for such documents. It is knowledge in general class which also includes form classes. Index: The alphabetical key to all the terms and concepts in the schedules and auxiliary tables along with their class numbers. A good index, as of the DDC, is not only an alphabetical approach but also presents a supplementary or alternative structure of knowledge. Literary forms: A book of creative literature is read for its form and aesthetic pleasure, rather than for its subject, whatever it could be. Literary forms such as Poetry, Fiction, Essays are the primary firms whereas documentary forms such as dictionary, encyclopedia are secondary or auxiliary forms of the documents. Literary warrant: In library classification, a term introduced in 1910 by Sir Wyndham E Hulme (1859-1954). It means that a scheme of library classification should be based on and guided by the published literature, i.e. should be only empirical in listing classes and their sub-divisions. It also means that it should not include those classes on which there is no published literature.
The Library of Congress Classification is the best example of a system based on literary warrant. Main class: It is a conventional area of knowledge carved into an accepted, coherent broad field of specialization which gives context to a topic from a specialization aspect of the field. Forming the first array of the division of knowledge in any library classification, the main classes are postulated conveniences to control the universe of knowledge and study it in parts. Notation: An adjunct of library classification to denote classes and their subdivisions and their auxiliary aspects by a series of symbols: a system of brief symbols to translate subjects and their subdivisions into ordinal numbers for mechanization of the classified arrangement of subjects. Knowledge classification doesn t need notation. Notes: A variety of explanations, suggestions or instructions appended to an entry in the classification schedules or auxiliary tables. Notes guide and aid the classifier in clear interpretation of the entry for uniformity and consistency in application of the system. Notes enhance inter-indexer consistency in using the system. Schedules: A printed or otherwise recorded ( asan electronic databases)is a series of lists of subjects and their subdivisions arranged in a systematic, usually general to specific order with unique notation for each entry. Considered as core of a classification system the other parts such as index are considered adjunct to classification. In the UDC, it is called main tables. Semantic relations: Subject and substantive relations in library classifications and other controlled vocabularies which are mostly controlled by hierarchical or collocative relations. These are relations among classes in arrays or in chains Syntactic relations:
Citation orderof components in a compound subject which are mostly determined by the logical principle of dependency of facets. PMEST is the grand model for such relations. 1. Do you know Library classifications are knowledge classifications with additional features to organize knowledge as recorded in documents. A library classification tool like the DDC or CC is a system having standard components, call them subsystems. Every classification has the core components and a few additional ones unique to itself. 2. Points to remember Till now there have been about a dozen general library classification schemes since 1876 including the BBK, BSO and ICC. Out of these only three, namely the DDC, UDC and LC are popular. These days web based classification systems are becoming popular due to their useful features and facilities. Major components of a library classifications are schedules, index and introduction to operate it. An established governing body and a sound machinery for its regular revision are vital for any library classification system. Schedule is the terrafirma of a library classification system. The schedule comprises of ordered main classes and their subdivisions in standard terms arranged in arrays and chains and each term getting its notation. Schedules also have additional auxiliary tables to supplement the class numbers in the schedules. Should have a generalia class in the beginning. There should be provisions for number building. Should have a system of book numbers. Alphabetical index should provide an additional (complementary) approach to subjects and knowledge organisation. Notation should have provision for future additions and deletions both horizontally and vertically downward.