Some guidelines for design and construction of a library classification

system

W.A. Weerasooriya, Dept. of Library and Information Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri
Lanka, E-mail:- [email protected] Qualifications: - BA (Hons) Kelaniya; M.Lib.Sc.
Panjab; PhD. Pune

Abstract

Library classification is a system which could classify both printed and non-printed

sources in a library or information center with the prime intension of organizing those

sources in a most helpful order to assist library users and library staff to find and to locate

them efficiently and effectively. The intension of this paper is to study the different steps

related to design and construction of a library classification system. A classificationist or

an editorial committee of a library classification system has the responsibility and the

ownership of design, construction and maintenance of a system. The objectives of this

study are:

 to have a clear picture about a library classification

 to study different parts of a library classification
 to show a guideline for students, researchers and librarians how library
classification is formulated and structured scientifically
 to explore the theoretical and practical aspect of design and construction of a
library classification

Since a library classification is a scientific based system, one who prefers or the

organization involving the construction and development, should neatly adhere to

different concepts, principles, theories, techniques related to the process. This article

discusses the classification policy, types of library classification, and three planes of

work, notational system and models, characteristic of divisions, prescription, main parts

and the steps for construction of different parts of a library classification system.

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Keywords: Library classification; Classification theory; Classificationist; Notation;
Facet analysis; Helpful sequence

Some guidelines for design and construction of a library classification

system

Introduction

Knowledge is growing very fast. In library science context, the fact that accumulation of

knowledge in the forms of subjects is highly taken into consideration. The subjects are

one kind of groups that accrue knowledge for learning, teaching, education, research,

perception, argumentation, evidence and experimental purposes. Therefore the term and

context of the subject provide enormous help for theorists and practioners in library

classification. Before library classification, it is better to define what the subject is. “It is.

an organized or systematized body of ideas whose extension and intension are likely to

fall coherently within the field of interest and comfortably within the intellectual

competence and the field of inevitable specialization of a normal person is called a

subject” (Ranganathan,1990). The foundation of all library classification systems is

remained upon on the classificatory order of the subjects. The purpose of library

classification is the organization and maintenance of library collections. “Library

classification is a system or the arrangement of organizing the documents or the contents

according to their likeness and unlikeness. Those like materials or contents are placed

together while the unlike things are separated”. According to chronological development

of library classification, the word classification has been used in three terms. They are

library classification, book classification and the subject classification which indicate the

same meaning. On the other hand, library classifications are two types i.e. general and

2
special classification. General classification means a system which covers whole subjects

or universe of subjects, while special classification deals with only one subject e.g.

Computer science or Chemistry or Architecture. General classification systems,

developed by different experts are appeared in Table 01.

Table 01.Library Classification Systems (General System)

Name of Classification System Classificationist/Founder Country Year of

of Origin Establish
ment
1.Dewey Decimal Classification Dewey USA 1876
(DDC)
2.Expansive Classification (EC) Cutter USA 1893
3.Library of Congress Classification __________ USA 1902
(LC)
4. Universal Decimal Classification Otlet and Fontain Belgium 1904
(UDC)
5.Subject Classification (SC) Brown Britain 1906
6. Colon Classification (CC) Ranganathan India 1933
7. Bibliographic Classification (BC) Bliss USA 1935

Design and construction

Design and construction of a library classification is a step by step process which

involves sound planning and plan implementation. Any knowledgeable person can

commence the process but, its success totally depends upon a cooperative venture. Even

though, Melvil Dewey founded the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) in 1876, the

editorial history of DDC (Dewey, 1996) shows that complete success and development is

shouldered by the Editorial Policy Committee (EPC) of the DDC.

The term ‘Classificationist (Maltby, 1975) indicates one who found a classification

system, while who applies the system is called the ‘Classifier’ (Satija, 2004). The

editorial committee brings the success and development of the above classification

3
systems. The important point here is the classification policy maintained by the editorial

committees. This classification policy could be interpreted as classification editorial

policy. This policy covers the step by step approach of design, construction and

maintenance of a library classification system. Before going to discuss the design,

construction and maintenance, it is worthwhile to name the salient component of library

classification. They are History, Introduction and Instruction part, Tables, List of Main

Classes, Schedules (Divisions and Sub-divisions), Generalia Class, Notation, and the

Index. Both enumerative classification and faceted classification are generally comprised

of these major components. Enumerative classification indicates the classification scheme

which lists all possible class numbers whereas faceted classification is preoccupied with a

sound mechanism for building class numbers. Enumerative scheme is a ready made

system and it has built class numbers for subjects. In faceted scheme, the user, client or

the librarian has to follow a set procedure and has to work out for class numbers. Next is

the discussion of guidelines for design and construction of a library classification system.

The ownership and responsibility of the classification system

If an individual plans to design, he or she should decide who would take the ultimate

responsibility of the system which is going to be constructed. He or she should decide

future plans viz. design, construction, development and maintenance and how to involve

with the step by step approach. If the editorial committee takes the full responsibility, it

also has to follow the same procedure.

Type of the system and a collection of a library

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As discussed, the other step is the selection of the type of classification. Individual or

editorial committee has to pre-plan and decide to work out either general or special

classification system. For covering universe of subjects or for general collections in

libraries, it is better to decide a general classification system. If it is a special area or a

subject or a particular collection in a library, it is better to select a special classification

system. If it is a collection pertaining to a particular organization viz. UNO, UNDP,

UNESCO, WHO, WTO, UNIDO, FAO, it is better to use a special classification system

or to develop a new special classification system which is very applicable to the

collection. The criteria for this specially designed classification system for the

organizational publications have to be decided on the basis of books, monographs;

serials; reports (different); non-book and micro-media in the collection. A collection or

list of publications of a bibliography also could be classified using a general or special

classification system and sometimes bibliographers tend to design a special classification

system for their bibliographies.

Subject coverage

There are three kinds of subjects’ i.e. simple subject, compound subject and the complex

subject. Classification system should have the capability to accommodate these three

subjects. Simple subject is a representation of one unit of the totality of knowledge or

universe of subjects. Examples are Physics; Zoology; Economics; Archaeology.

Following illustration shows the idea of a simple subject.

Physics one level or single level or an aggregate

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Compound subject means one subject containing two or more consecutive and relative

constituents or ideas like Diseases of bones, or Teaching techniques for children.

Following illustration indicates the idea of compound subject.

Diseases of bones two level or two levels of an aggregate

Complex subject is a representation of different constituents or different elements or

different subjects or non-relative subjects at a time. When two or more subjects are

combined together, it leads to a complex subject viz. Physics and Chemistry; Economics

and political science; Western, Homoeopathic, Chinese and Ayurvedic medicinal

treatment of bone diseases. Following illustration denotes the idea of a complex subject.

Western, Homoeopathic, Chinese and Ayurvedic medicinal

treatment of bone diseases

multi level or four levels of an aggregate

Levels of the subject

There are two levels of subjects. Shallow subject and depth subject. Shallow subject is

the general subject viz. Economics, Sociology, Chemistry, while depth subjects are

investment or abortion or proteins. Figure 01 ensures the levels of subjects. The

classification system must accommodate these two levels of subjects.

Figure 01. Levels of the subject

1. Shallow subject Economics Sociology Chemistry

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2. Depth subject Investment Abortion Proteins

Knowledge and understanding of the subjects and subjective types

Knowledge of universe of subjects is a must for designing and developing a classification

system. The classificationist must know the extension and intention of a subject. The

extension is the width or surface of the subject. The extension of the subject of economics

is the totality or the whole subject areas of economics from beginning to the end. In other

words, all subjects belong to economics are an example for the extension of the subject

economics. The intension indicates one depth subject point in a subject. In this context,

“Rural credit” is an example for the intension of the subject of economics. Intension

specifies the depth of the subject. Moreover, the classificationist should know what are

subjects and the subject coverage, definitions, terms, concepts, history, modern trends

and the developments of the relevant subjects. For this purpose, it is necessary to collect

data and literature of the subjects or the subject areas. He or she will have to collect and

refer general and special encyclopedias, dictionaries, basic books, handbooks, manuals,

textbooks, vocabularies, terminologies, thesauri. Further, it is better to consult the

organizations devoted to subjects and their data, research, publications, periodicals,

experts and consultants in the field.

Collection of subjects and the development of Tables

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Next step is to collect the subjects, followed by the designing the list of main classes. The

collection of subjects and idea of a list of main classes and the design of list of Tables are

given in Table 02.

Table 02.Outline of construction of Table and Schedules

Construction of Schedule
Construction of Tables

Subjects Idea of Forms of subject Name of Tables List of main

generating classes
Tables
Library science Theory of Inner subject form Concept Generalia
Economics- Philosophy of Inner subject form Concept Social Sciences
Sociology- Dictionary of Outer subject form Source Social Sciences
Computer Bibliographies Outer subject form Source Generalia
science -
Botany in- Sri Lanka Location form Space Natural Sciences
Physics in- USA Location form Space Natural Sciences
Climate in - March Time form Time Natural Sciences
Tea plantation in 1980’s Time form Time Applied Sciences
Teaching - English Language Language Social Sciences
Grammar - German Language Language Humanities
Ethics of - Sinhalese Ethnic group Community Social Sciences
group
Customs of- Chinese people Ethnic group Community Social Sciences
group
English- Drama Literary form Literary form Humanities
Sinhala- Poetry Literary form Literary form Humanities
Weeding- machines Equipment and Equipment and Applied Sciences
materials form materials form
Eye operation- Tools Equipment and Equipment and Applied Sciences
materials form materials form

Tables in library classification consist of all types of subject forms. Column three of
Table 02 shows the generation of different subject forms of a subject or subjects. These
subject forms appeared in Table 02 could be categorized into total 8 Tables. Eight Tables

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are Concept, Source, Space, Time, Language, Community group, Literary form and the
Equipment and materials. Construction of schedules is very clearly shown in the first
column of the Table 02. Generation of different subjects are illustrated in the first column
of Table 02 and the design of main classes and depth schedules could be done based on
the idea of constructing a general or special classification scheme.

Construction of Tables

Individual table should be designed on the basis of subject forms and their variations.

Idea of construction of tables is fully described in the Table 02. Table 02 indicates the

forms of subjects and how to name each table on the basis of internal and external

phenomenon which is implanted in each subject form. Name given to each table is

decided on the basis of the phenomenon illustrated in the individual table i.e. Time,

Space, Point of view. Seven tables of DDC are given below.

Tables of DDC (Dewey, 1996) 21st edition

Table 1. Standard Subdivisions

Table 2. Geographic Areas, Historical Periods, Persons
Table 3. Subdivisions for the Arts, for the Individual Literatures, for Specific Literary
Forms
Table 3-A. Subdivisions for Works by or about Individual Authors
Table 3-B. Subdivisions for Works by or about More than One Author
Table 3-C. Notation to be Added Where Instructed in Table 3-B, 700.4, 791.4, 808-809
Table 4. Subdivisions of Individual Languages and Language Families
Table 5. Racial, Ethnic, National Groups
Table 6. Languages
Table 7. Groups of Persons

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Designing the main class list

Main class forms the first and mutually exclusive and exhaustive array of the division of

knowledge in classification (Satija, 2004). A main class is a one unit that divides the

whole universal knowledge or a branch of it which each unit has its own name, content

and value. Main class is a part of whole knowledge that divides or groups the same

knowledge into different constituents which contain an array relationship. If it is a

general classification, the classificationist or editorial committee has to divide the

universe of knowledge into few general categories based on the principle of helpful

sequence. Helpful sequence indicates that subjects are grouped based on the mutual

relationship (Krishan Kumar, 1988) among those subjects. Relative concepts and ideas

coined in different subjects help for grouping those subjects into subject bundles and

these subject bundles are called main classes. One subject bundle contains specific

subjects which include similar subjects. ‘Facet’ (Ranganathan, 1989) was used as a term

to denote the subject bundle. The above Table 02 shows the process of how subject

bundles are formed. The arrangement of main classes in the main class list should be

done on the basis of the helpful sequence. Helpful sequence is the arrangement of

documents according to their likeness and unlikeness. The like materials are put together

while unlike ones are placed according to their content and demand. For this purpose,

subjects which are mutually related are brought together, while the other contrasting

subjects are positioned in their relevant places in library classification systems. Therefore

helpful sequence should be preserved firstly in a library classification system i.e. in its

main classes, subdivisions and in the whole schedule. This will directly aid for preserving

the helpful sequence of both library shelves and the classified catalogue. The rationale of

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helpful sequence in main classes connotes that similar main classes are put together while

unlike main classes are separated and arranged in their constituent positions. There are

two types of modules when these main classes are arranged in the main class list. Two

modules are illustrated in next page.

Fixed Module Free Module

List of main classes Extrapolation

List of main classes
0 L
1 M
2 S
3 V
4 W Interpolation
5 2
6 4
7 5
8 7
9
Extrapolation

List of main classes of DDC List of main classes of Universal Decimal

(e.g. Fixed module) Classification (UDC) (e.g. Fixed module)

impossible Extrapolation (impossible)

000-Generalities 0-Generalities
100-Philosophy 1-Philosophy
200-Religion 2-Religion
300-Social Sciences 3-Social Sciences
400-Language 4-Relocated to 8 Interpolation (possible)
500-Natural Sciences 5-Natural Sciences
600-Applied sciences 6-Applied sciences
700-The Arts 7-The Arts
800-Literature 8-Language and literature
900-Geography and history 9-Geography.biography.history

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 impossible Extrapolation (impossible)

List of main classes of Colon Classification (CC)

(e.g. Free module)
Extrapolation (possible)
z-Generalia -Spiritual Experience and Mysticism
1-Universe of Knowledge MZ-Humanities and Social Sciences
2-Library Science MZA- Humanities
3-Book Science N-Fine Arts
4-Journalism NX-Literature and Language
A-Natural Sciences O- Literature
AZ-Mathematical Sciences P- Language
B-Mathematics Q-Religion
BZ-Physical Sciences R-Philosophy
C-Physics S-Psychology Interpolation (possible)
D-Engineering -Social Sciences
E-Chemistry
F-Technology T-Education
G-Biology U-Geography
H-Geology V-History
HX-Mining W-Political Science
I-Botany X-Economics
J-Agriculture Y-Sociology
K-Zoology YX-Social Work
KX-Animal Husbandry Z-Law (Ranganathan, 1960)
L-Medicine Extrapolation (possible)
LX-Pharmocognosy
M-Useful Arts

In DDC, above the 000 and below 900, outer- insertion (extrapolation) of any new main
class is impossible owing to the fact that finite order of main classes. This situation is
prevailed in UDC too. But in CC, both outer- insertion (extrapolation) and in-insertion
(interpolation) are sharply possible due to the flexible and non-finite order of main
classes.

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Order of Main classes

As discussed above, the order of main classes in the main class list should be made on the

basis of helpful sequence. The DDC violates this principle (Figure 02) and it separates

the related or similar subjects viz. Language and Literature and further dislocates

Geography, History from Social Sciences. But the UDC sticks to this principle (Figure

02) by relocating 4 Language into 8 Literature.

Figure 02.Violation of principle of helpful sequence (DDC)

DDC UDC
000-Generalities (Generalia) 0-Generalities (Generalia)
100-Philosophy 1-Philosophy
200-Religion 2-Religion
300-Social Sciences 3-Social Sciences
400-Language 4-Relocated to 8
500-Natural Sciences 5-Natural Sciences
600-Applied sciences 6-Applied Sciences
700-The Arts 7-The Arts
800-Literature 8-Language and Literature
900-Geography and history 9-Geography.Biography.History

The list of main classes can be arranged according to the principle of helpful sequence

which is illustrated below in Figure 03. It is better to compare the list of main classes of

DDC (Figure 02) with the following modified list (Figure 03).

Figure 03.List of main classes of DDC: modified according to helpful sequence

000-Generalities
(Generalia) Group 1-Generalities

100-Philosophy
Group 2-Humanities (One subject bundle)
200-Religion

300-Language
400-Literature

500-The Arts 13
 600- Social Sciences Group 3-Social Sciences
700- Geography and (One subject bundle)
History

Applied Sciences
800-Natural Sciences Group 4-Natural and Applied Sciences
900-Applied Sciences (Two subject bundles)

The helpful sequence should be preserved in ordering subjects in the schedule too, which

is discussed below.

Design of the Schedule

Schedule contains the detailed list of subjects which are summarized in the main class

list. In other words, the list of main classes is a summary of schedule, while its

descriptive or explanatory part is the schedule. The lengthiest part of any classification

system is the schedule. Under each main class, it should state the subdivisions.

Subdivisions here indicate the constituent subjects of a main class and their relative

subjects called sub-subdivisions. In the schedule, it should include main classes,

subdivisions, sub-subdivisions, notation for each subject and their subdivisions and

micro level subjects, certain instructions and guidelines for classification, example

numbers, techniques, principles, rules for classification, changes and modifications,

explanations, definition of terms, cross references and so on. Schedules could be

developed in two ways. One is to develop it, in single scheduling system and the other is

to develop multi-type scheduling system. Multi-type system specifies individual main

classes are developed as separate schedules. DDC follows single scheduling system,

while the UDC follows both systems in its different editions.

Decision of a generalia class

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Generalia class is an area which composes subjects and documents that contain

knowledge common to other subjects and disciplines. There are certain subjects and

documents which commonly apply to all other subjects viz. computer science, library

science, research methods, general knowledge and intelligence and the documents viz.

bibliographies, general encyclopedias, dictionaries and other general reference sources. It

is rather rigid to classify these subjects and documents into mass disciplines like social

sciences, humanities, natural sciences or applied sciences and therefore it is necessary to

classify them in a new mass discipline which is called generalia class or generalities in

any classification.

The composition of subjects in DDC generalia class

000-Generalities
010-Bibliography
020-Library and Information Science
030-General encyclopedia
040- …
050-General serial publications
060-General organization and museology
070-New media, journalism, publishing
080-General collections
090-Manuscripts and rare books

Selection of a suitable notational system

Notation is the translation of subjects or subject forms into a code system in the form of

symbols, numerals, and letters of alphabets, punctuation marks, digits or any linguistic or

scientific codes. Notation is the symbols or marks or code numbers used to represent the

15
subjects or their forms in a classification system mainly in schedules, moderately in

tables. Following illustration shows what is notation, according to DDC.

Subject form Notation Subject Notation

Sri Lanka- 5493 Economics-330

There are two types of notation. They are pure notation and mixed notation. Pure notation

implies the use of only one type of symbol i.e. only Arabic numerals while mixed

notation connotes the use of several types of symbol i.e. numerals, letters, and

punctuation marks. When designing a notation following qualities have to be preserved.

1. Brevity
2. Simplicity
3. Extendability
4. Expressiveness
5. Flexibility
6. Hospitality

Brevity indicates that notation should be brief as much as possible preserving the context
of the subject. Simplicity means that notation or class number must be quickly
understandable and legible to the reader or user. If a notation or class number has the
power to extend more of its numbers, it denotes the quality of extendibility. If any class
number has a facility to accommodate more numbers at the end of the class number as
additional portion, it is the extendibility. Expressiveness of notation illustrates the ability
to show individual roles of each constituent part of a class number. If a class number has
the ability to change its positions, or alter any location, it is called the flexibility.
Hospitality is identified as the power of notation or a class number to accommodate new
numbers or newly emerging subjects. It is better to maintain two values in notation, when
and where necessary. They are hierarchical and mnemonics values (Figure 04 and 05).
Hierarchical value or order means the preservation of relationship of constituent parts of

16
a subject or showing structural order of a subject. Mnemonic value means the ability to
memorize or to keep in mind the relevant class number or numbers. Both values are
illustrated in Figure 04 and Figure 05.

Figure 04.Hierarchical order of a class (Subject) (Subject familial relationship)

300-Social Sciences
330-Economics
332-Financial economics
332.1-Banks
332.11-Central banks
332.112-Issuance of currency

Figure 05. Mnemonic value or order of classes (Aid to memory)

891.43-Hindi Literature
891.431-Hindi poetry
891.432-Hindi drama
891.433-Hindi fiction
891.434-Hindi essays
891.435-Hindi speeches
891.436-Hindi letters
891.437-Hindi humour and satire
891.438-Hindi miscellaneous writings

891.48-Sinhala Literature
891.481-Sinhala poetry
891.482-Sinhala drama
891.483-Sinhala fiction
891.484-Sinhala essays
891.485-Sinhala speeches
891.486-Sinhala letters
891.487-Sinhala humour and satire
891.488-Sinhala miscellaneous writings

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Selection of a model of classification
Basically, there are two types of model of classification systems. Faceted/Analytico-

Synthetic Classification and Enumerative Classification. Faceted classification is a

system that provides a high-quality mechanism for constructing class numbers for

subjects. If a classification system maintain a sound methodology of preparing a class

number for a subject that system is called faceted model (Whitrow, 1983). Here role of

the classifier is to apply various techniques for building class numbers. Colon

Classification devised by S.R. Ranganathan is a real example for a faceted classification.

Application of five fundamental categories viz. Personality; Matter; Enery; Space and

Time to analyze the subject into these facets and to synthesize them into focal numbers is

the unique process of Colon Classification which is also called the Analytico-Synthetic

classification system. In faceted system, there is an inbuilt mechanism introduced for

preparing class numbers, while the enumerative system possesses the built class numbers.

Enumerative classification is a system which accumulates all possible class numbers and

here the role of the classifier is to find class number from the enumerative classification

system. Enumerative classification system does not contain pre-designed high-quality

mechanism like faceted system instead it tries to provide all possible built numbers in the

system itself. Library of Congress Classification System is an example for enumerative

classification. Faceted system follows the ‘bottom-upward approach’ in constructing

the classification system, while the enumerative system follows the ‘top-down

approach’. Bottom-upward approach denotes that the construction process of

classification starts when preparing class numbers and in other terms the system is being

built when making class numbers. Top-down approach purports that the construction of

the classification system starts before preparing class numbers. In top down approach, the

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arrangement of list of main class begins at first, so that preparation of classification

system is a pre-arranged process. Bottom up approach is ‘posteriori’ system, while top

down approach belongs to ‘priori’ system. These two approaches are illustrated through

Figure 06 and 07.

Approach to design of a classification: - Two approaches

Figure 06.Top- downward approach and bottom up approach

1 Top- downward approach e.g. DDC (Enumerative

model) (Priori)

000-Generalities (Generalia)
100-Philosophy
200-Religion
300-Social Sciences
400-Language
500-Natural Sciences
600-Applied Sciences
700-The Arts
800-Literature
900-Geography and history

2 Bottom –up approach e.g. CC (Faceted model)

(Posteriori)

PMEST connecting symbols

P-Personality- ,
M-Matter- ;
E-Energy- :
S-Space- .
T-Time- ‘

Example class number for bottom up approach using Colon Classification

E M P S T
Title of the document:- Classification of maps in college libraries in India in 2007

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 Process of Facet analysis

P M E S T
Class number for the above Title:- 233;17:51.44 ‘P07

Process of Facet synthesis

Bottom –up approach

Figure 07.Example of a classification system for the bottom up approach

Classification system:- The Classification System for Socks

Subject is Socks and the notation for Socks is = S

Facet 1 Facet 2 Facet 3 Facet 4 Facet 5 Facet 6

Sex Color Age Material Country Type
M Bl 0-1 (1) Co Us So= Soft
F Br 2-4 (2) Li Sl Th=Thick
Gr 5-7 (3) Si In Ro=Rough
Re 8-10 (4) Ra Cu Sm=Smart
Wh 11-12(5) Ya Ch
Ye 13-19(6) ca
Pi 20-33(7)
34- (8)

Notation

Citation order of the class number: - Subject, Sex, Colour, Age, Material, Country, Type.

A title: - Read smart silk socks for girls aged 10: - Class number: - SFRe(4)SiSm

Characteristic of division

Characteristic of division is basic or underpinning factor or element for grouping an array

or group terms in a classification system. It is a term used for dividing or grouping

different categories in an array. It is illustrated below. Characteristic of division is

required when preparing classes and divisions in schedules, and generating tables.

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 Characteristic of division

Array: - Babies, Children, Youth, Adults Persons by age

English, German, Urdu, Sinhala Languages

Poetry, Fiction, Drama, Essays Literary forms

Sri Lanka, India, USA, Countries

Prescription

Prescription includes rules, methods, techniques, orders, principles, canons, laws,

formulae, definitions, notes, instructions and guidelines in a library classification system.

Classificationist or the editorial committee has to develop, maintain and revise or to add

new items or the different items in the prescription when and where necessary. The items

in the prescription could be used when designing and constructing a classification system.

Three planes of works

The whole work of a classification system could be categorized into three planes, viz.

idea, verbal, and notational plane. When a person or an editorial committee is ready to

work out for a classification, the first step is the planning stage. Firstly, he or she has to

think and sharply contemplate about the classification system which is going to be

prepared. Therefore, idea plane involves the type and model of classification system,

how to design the list of main class and subdivisions and how to start the work of

different parts of the system. Idea plane chiefly deals with the thinking stage of design

and the idea of universe of subjects, how they are arranged, categories, subject

relationship etc. Idea plane is the mental stage. Verbal plane involves how to adopt and

use the best terminology in the classification system. How to put the subject concepts to

21
more useful, current and opportune demanded terms or subjects or terminology is focused

in verbal plane. The verbal plane is the linguistic stage. The rationale behind the

notational plane is the construction of a sound notational system for accommodating or

representing the term or subjects in the system. Notational plane is the codifying stage.

There is a cyclical process in three planes of work. On the other hand, three planes of

work are visible in the classification process too. It is illustrated Figure 08.

Figure 08.Illustration of three planes of work

Idea plane Verbal plane Notational plane

Chemical substances and processes Chemistry 540 (DDC number)

Biological elements, organs and processes Biology 570 (DDC number)

Major parts/components/essentials of a Classification System

There should be seven major components in a classification system. They are mentioned

below. When constructing a classification system, it is necessary to accommodate the

following components in the system. Except History, introduction and instruction part

and the Index, other parts are exclusively discussed in the above paragraphs. These two

particular parts are compiled after the work of the other main parts from Table to

Notation is over.

1 History, Introduction and Instruction Part

2 Tables
3 List of Main Classes
4 Schedules ( Divisions and Sub-Divisions)
5 Generalia Class
6 Notation
7 Index

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History, introduction and instruction part does not contain any design. It is a mere
narration of how the historical development of the scheme takes place and the overall
introduction of the system. There must be instruction on how to make class numbers with
sharp examples when and where necessary. Index needs some design and must be pre-
planned. Index is a list of terms, names, topics and concepts arranged mostly
alphabetically, along with their class numbers or item numbers where they are placed.
Indexes are two types. They are direct and indirect or relative. Examples of both indexes
are given below. Direct index does not show the subject relationship. It only arranges a
list of subjects, terms and topics on alphabetical order. Conversely, the relative index
shows the subject relationship. While arranging subject, terms and topics on alphabetical
order, the relative index tries to show different hierarchical and symmetrical relationships
of a subject. The subject ‘women’ in Figure 09 demonstrates its different subject
relationships.

Figure 09. Direct and Relative index

Direct Index Relative Index (Indirect Index)
(Women in different subjects)
Agriculture-630 Women-305.7
Animal husbandry-636 arts-700.452 042
Archetecture-720 biography-920.72
Astronomy-520 drawing-743.44
Biochemistry-572 education-371.822
Chemistry-540 psychology-155.633
religion-200.82
Buddhism-294.308 2
Christianity-270.082
One subject relationship Islam-297.082
(Alphabetical) Judaism-296.082

23
 ------------------
.
Poly subject relationship
It is better to examine how a general classification is composed its different parts or
components. Table 03 gives you an idea about what are the principal parts and how they
are organized in DDC 21st edition.

Table 03.How DDC arranges its main parts

Components/Parts of DDC 21st edition Pages Volume

number
1 History, Introduction and Instruction Part i- lxix ( 69pages) +901- 01+04
1207(in vol.04)
2 Tables 1-515 01
3 List of Main Classes ix 02
4 Schedules ( Divisions and Sub-Divisions) 000-599 1-1200 03
4 Schedules ( Divisions and Sub-Divisions) 600-999 1-1005 03
5 Generalia Class 3-90 02
6 Notation continuing 01,02,03,04
7 Index 5-899 04

Conclusion

When design and construction of a classification system, a classificatinist or an editorial

committee should follow some guidelines or methodology (Ranganathan, 1964). The

above is a discussion of a methodology for design and construction of a classification

system. Most of all steps in the design and construction process are included and the

exposition of the major parts of a classification system along with the guidelines helps the

students, novices, and academic and library professionals in constructing and

understanding a classification system.

24
References

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Bombay, 82.

Dewey, Melvil 1996. Dewey Decimal Classification and relative index 21st ed., Forest
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Maltby, A. 1975. Sayer’s manual of classification for librarians, Andre-Deutsche,

London, 16.

Satija, M.P. 2004. Exercises in the 22nd edition of the Dewey Decimal Classification, Ess
Ess, New Delhi, 16.

Satija, M.P. 2004. A dictionary of knowledge organization, Guru Nanak Dev University,
Amritsar, 137.

Krishan Kumar 1988. Theory of classification, 4th rev.ed. Vikas Publishing, New Delhi,
9.

Ranganathan, S.R. 1989. Prolegomena to library classification, 3rd ed. Sarada

Ranganathan Endowment: Bangalore, 88.

Ranganathan, S.R. 1960. Colon classification, 6th ed. Sarada Ranganathan Endowment,
Bangalore, 2.4.

Dewey, Melvil op.cit, viii.

Whitrow, Magda 1983. Historical studies in documentation; an eighteenth-century

faceted classification system, Journal of Documentation, 39, 88-94.

Ranganathan, S.R. 1964.Design of depth classification, Library Science, 1, 1-42.

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