BIBLIOGRAPHIC CONTROL

GST 06106
NTA LEVEL 6
MODULE 1: DESCRIBE IMPORTANT TERMS USED IN BIBLIOGRAPHIC
CONTROLLING LIBRARY AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
Introduction

In this introductory part, the main focus will be on describing important terms used in bibliographic
control in library and information management. These terminologies are bibliography,
bibliographic control, descriptive cataloguing, classification system, authority control, and filling
system.

DEFINITIONS OF THE KEY TERMS

1. Bibliography
This means a comprehensive list of references, providing information about the various sources
of information such as books, articles, research papers), journals, websites, etc., obtained in
information units (library, archives, documentation centers, etc. It includes essential details about
each source, such as Author name, title, publication date, edition, place of publication, etc.

2. Bibliographic control
Bibliographic control is the process of creating, managing, and preserving information about
resources. It also involves making information resources accessible and usable. Skills or art of
organizing knowledge or information for retrieval. It comprises the creation, development,
organization, management, storage, and manipulation of records and information prepared to
describe items held in libraries or on the database. It facilitates users access to information. Skills-
ability to do things properly.
3. Catalogue
Defined as an organized set of bibliography records that represents the collection in a particular
location.
The collection is made up of information packages (information resources). The aim of the library
The catalogue is to locate items in the library collection. The user can find the object using the
author, category, topic or format.
4. Descriptive cataloguing
Describes an item, identity and format access point eg, names of persons or corporate bodies
considered responsible for or associated with a resource.
People also can create access points for a person or the organization using guidelines that have
been given. In descriptive cataloguing, the characteristics of a library book are registered, such as
the author's name, cover page, number of pages and size, edition publisher, etc. It helps an
individual know a book using information such as the author, title, and different names.

5. Classification systems

These systems organize books and other materials in libraries/information units. They assign
unique numbers or codes to each item, making it easier to locate and retrieve specific materials eg.
DDC, LC, CC etc.

6. Authority control

Authority control is a process that organizes information by establishing a single, consistent

spelling for names, terms, and identifiers. It's used in library catalogs and other systems to create
and maintain index terms. It is all about ensuring consistency in the access points provided by the
catalogue. The most obvious part is ensuring that all the people adding data to the catalog are using
subject headings and creating name headings similarly. Authority control applies to access points
(heading) in the library catalog. The elements of a catalog record that need authority control are
personal names, corporate names, conference names, subjects, serials titles, uniform titles, etc.

7. Filling System

The Filling System is the policies and procedures directing how files should be stored and indexed
to ensure their retrieval, use, and disposition. Filing system can be defined as the process of
arranging and keeping documents in files for easy access and retrieval when they are needed
 MODULE 2: ANALYSE FUNCTIONS OF BIBLIOGRAPHIC CONTROL IN LIBRARY
AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
1. CORE FUNCTIONS OF BIBLIOGRAPHIC CONTROL
Bibliographic control is essential for the efficient and effective management of library collections,
enabling users to access and use the resources they need. It involves various activities, from
selecting materials to providing access and maintaining the quality and integrity of bibliographic
data.

❖ Selection and acquisition: Determining which materials should be acquired or included

in a library's collection. This involves assessing the library's mission, user needs, and
available resources to decide what to acquire.
❖ Description: Creating detailed bibliographic records for each item in the collection. This
involves capturing essential information, such as author, title, publication date, and edition.
Standardised cataloging rules and formats, such as MARC (Machine-Readable
Cataloging), are often used to ensure consistency.
❖ Organization: Organizing bibliographic records systematically and logically to facilitate
efficient retrieval. Libraries typically use classification systems (e.g., Dewey Decimal,
Library of Congress) and subject headings to arrange materials by topic and make them
easily accessible to users.
❖ Indexing: Assigning subject headings or descriptors to materials to enable users to search
for and locate items related to specific topics. This helps users find relevant materials based
on their research needs.
❖ Accessibility.
Making bibliographic records and associated materials accessible to library users. This
includes providing search tools, such as catalogs and online databases, as well as offering
reference assistance to help users find the information they need.
❖ Cataloging: Creating catalogs or databases containing bibliographic records, which serve
as finding aids for library users. These catalogs can be in various formats, including card
catalogs, online catalogs, or digital databases.

Other Core Functions

1. Identifies the existence of all types of information resources as they are made available.
 2. Identifying the works contained within those information resources or as parts of them

3. Systematic pulling together of information resources into collections in the library

4. Provide access point to the resources i.e. name, title, subject and other useful access to
these information resources

5. Producing lists of information resources available in the library

6. To promote the use of books and other materials by the publications of subject
bibliographies and author bibliographies.

7. To provide quick and easy access to information contained in documents to user or scholar,
to keep him update.

8. To save the time of the scholar by providing him the comprehensive list of documents on
his subject of research.

9. To serve as a tool for book selection.

10. To help in inculcating reading habits, publication of relevant reading list is a must.

2. TYPES OF INFORMATION RESOURCES

Varieties of information resources has been included in information units because of the character
they have which enable a user to acquire information according to their

(i) Ability

(ii) Interest and

(iii) Needs

Information resources can be classified into various types;

1. Primary Source.

2. Secondary Source

3. Tertiary Sources

4. Electronic Resources/Digital Sources

1. Primary Source

It is information that is shown for the first time or original materials on which other research is
based. Primary sources display original thinking, report on new discoveries, or share fresh
information.

These include

Theses, dissertations, scholarly journal articles (research-based), some government reports,

conference proceedings, original artwork, poems, photographs, speeches, letters, memos, personal
narratives, diaries, interviews, autobiographies, and correspondence.

2. Secondary Sources

These sources offer an analysis or restatement of primary sources. They often try to describe or
explain primary sources. They tend to be works which summarize, interpret, reorganize, or
otherwise provide added value to a primary source.

These include

Textbooks, edited works, books and articles that interpret or review research works, histories,
biographies, literary criticism and interpretation, reviews of law and legislation, political analyses
and commentaries.

3. Tertiary Source

These are the sources that index, abstract, organize, compile, or digest another source. Reference
materials and textbooks are considered tertiary sources when their chief purpose is to list,
summarize, or simply repackage ideas or other information.

These are like,

Dictionaries, encyclopedias, directories, bibliographies, guidebooks, Wikipedia, handbooks,

manuals, etc.

4. Electronic Resources/Digital Source

Electronic resources include digital content like e-books, online articles, websites, etc. Multimedia
sources information presented through various media such as audio like a cassette, tape real,
gramophone records, compact disks (CDs’), and DVDs.’
 3. WORKS CONTAINED WITHIN THE RESOURCES
(ii)Visual works

Information resources can contain visual works like images, photographs, diagrams, etc. Visual
content can enhance understanding and communication.

(iii)Audio works

Audio resources encompass recordings of spoken language, music, podcasts, lectures and other
forms of audio content. These works can be essential for conveying information through sound.
IV) Video works

Videos are combination of visual and audio works. They include movies, documentaries, video
lectures, tutorials and various multimedia presentations.

(v)Multimedia presentations

These include multimedia slideshows, interactive e-learning modules and presentation that
combine various forms of media to convey information effectively.

vi) Software and interactive media

Some information resources contain software applications, interactive simulations and multimedia
experiences designed to educate or engage users

These include works of fiction, poetry, music, art, and other forms of creative expression that may
be included in information resources for various purposes.

(vii)Educational and instructional materials.

These are textbooks, instructional manuals, online courses and other educational materials. These
are often part of information resources designed to convey knowledge and skills.
MODULE 3: EXPLAIN TOOLS FOR BIBLIOGRAPHIC CONTROL IN LIBRARY AND
INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

TOOLS FOR BIBLIOGRAPHIC CONTROL

1. Bibliographies

Systematic list of written works by a specific author or a given subject or that share one or more
common characteristics such as language, form, period, place of publication etc.

2. Indexes

An alphabetical arranged list of headings consisting of the personal names, places, and subject
treated in a written work with page number to refer the reader to the point in the text at which
information pertaining to the heading is found)

3. Catalogs

A comprehensive list of the books, periodicals maps, and other materials in a given collection
arranged in systematic order to facilitate retrieval e.g., book catalogue, card catalogue, OPAC, CD-
ROMS.

4. Bibliographic Database

a large, regularly updated file of digitized information like, online databases e.g. full- text
documents, directory entries, , Tools like PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and academic
databases that provide bibliographic records for journal articles, conference papers, and other
scholarly publications. Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC): This is an online interface to the
library's catalog that allows users to search for and access library materials remotely

5. Classification Systems:

These systems are used to organize books and other materials in libraries/information units. They
assign unique numbers or codes to each item, making it easier to locate and retrieve specific
materials example;

Dewey decimal classification (DDC): Commonly used in public and school libraries, DDC
organizes materials by topic using numerical codes.
Library of Congress Classification (LCC): Used in many academic libraries, this system assigns
unique call numbers to books and arranges them by subject.

6. Descriptive Cataloging Rules:

- AACR2 (Anglo-American Cataloging Rules These were widely used for bibliographic control,
although they have been largely replaced by

RDA (Resource Description and Access).

- RDA (Resource Description and Access) These are the current cataloging rules for
bibliographic control, providing guidelines for creating Consistent and detailed bibliographic
records.

WHAT DOES BIBLIOGRAPHIC CONTROL INCLUDE?

• Identifying resources: Identifying all types of information resources, including works

within those resources

• Organizing resources: Organizing resources into bibliographic records

• Maintaining resources: Maintaining bibliographic records to ensure they are accurate and
up to date

• Creating access points: Creating access points like titles, names, and subjects to help users
find resources

• Producing citation lists: Producing standardized citation lists for resources

INDEXES

In information centers, indexes are crucial in organizing and facilitating access to a wide range of
information resources. An index is a systematic and structured arrangement of information
designed to help users locate specific content within a collection.

Significant role of indexes in information centers:

(i)Organization of Information:
Indexes help systematically organize information by creating a logical and structured framework.
This makes it easier for users to navigate large amounts of information and locate relevant
resources.

(ii) It used as an access Points:

Indexes provide access points to information by creating entries for specific terms, topics, or
keywords. Users can then refer to these entries to find relevant materials quickly.

(iii)It facilitating Retrieval:

The primary purpose of an index is to facilitate the retrieval of information. It serves as a roadmap
for users, guiding them to the location of relevant content within the information center.

(iv) It allows maintenance and Updates:

Regular maintenance and updates of indexes are essential to ensure accuracy and relevance. New
materials should be added, and obsolete entries should be removed or updated to reflect changes
in the collection.

(v)Cross-Referencing: Cross-referencing is a way to link to related information in another part of

a document. It can also refer to the act of adding cross-references to a document. Indexes often
include cross-references, guiding users to related terms or entries. This helps in expanding the
scope of the search and ensuring comprehensive access to relevant information

TYPES OF INDEXES

i. Author Indexing: Materials are indexed alphabetically by the names of authors or creators.
This index helps users locate materials written or created by specific individuals.

ii. Title Indexing: Items are indexed alphabetically by their titles. This index aids in finding
materials based on their specific titles, which is especially useful when users know the
exact title of the item they are seeking.

iii. Subject Indexing: Materials are indexed based on their subject matter or content. Subject
indexing involves assigning controlled vocabulary terms or keywords to describe the topics
covered in each item. Users can search for materials related to specific subjects using these
terms.
 iv. Keyword Indexing: This indexing method involves extracting significant words or
phrases from the content of materials and creating an index based on these keywords.
Keyword indexing allows users to search for materials using any word or phrase contained
within them, rather than predefined subject terms.

v. Chronological Indexing: Materials are indexed based on their publication or creation

dates. This indexing method allows users to locate materials according to when they were
produced, which can be helpful for research involving historical or time-sensitive topics.

vi. Numeric Indexing: This indexing method assigns unique numeric identifiers to library
materials. Numeric indexing systems are often used for specialized collections or in
conjunction with other indexing methods to provide additional organization.

By employing these indexing methods, libraries can effectively organize their collections and
provide users with efficient access to the information they need.

MODULE 4: DESCRIBE TYPES OF BIBLIOGRAPHIES IN LIBRARY AND

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

BIBLIOGRAPHY.

A bibliography is a list of sources, usually at the end of a scholarly work or research paper, that
provides information about the references used to create that work. It provides a comprehensive
record of the sources consulted, cited, or referenced in the text, enabling readers to locate and
verify the information.

The Purpose of a Bibliography Is To:

Credit Sources: Acknowledge the intellectual contributions of others by giving credit to the
authors and creators whose work has been used or referred to in the research.

Provide Verification: Enable readers to verify and consult the sources for further exploration or
to check the accuracy and reliability of the information presented in the work.

Facilitate Further Research: Offer a starting point for readers who wish to understand deeply
into the subject by providing a list of relevant and potentially related materials.
A bibliography typically includes various types of sources, such as:

-Books: Information about books, including the author's name, title, place of publication,
publisher, and publication date.

-Journal Articles: Details about articles from academic journals, including the author's name,
article title, journal title, volume, issue, page numbers, and publication date.

-Websites: For online sources, the bibliography may include the, author, title, publication date,
and access date.

-Newspaper Articles: Provide the title of the article, author(s), newspaper name, publication date,
and page numbers.

-Magazine Articles: Similar to newspaper articles, include the title, author(s), magazine name,
publication date, and page numbers.

-Conference Papers: Include the title of the paper, author(s), conference name, date, location, and
any other relevant information.

-Government Documents: Include the title, issuing agency, publication date, and any other
necessary information.

-Dissertations and Theses: Include the title, author, institution, year, and any additional
information required.

TYPES OF BIBLIOGRAPHY

i. Annotated Bibliography:

An annotated bibliography includes a brief summary and evaluation of each source. This type of
bibliography provides additional information about the content, relevance, and quality of the
sources.

ii. Descriptive Bibliography:

Descriptive bibliographies focus on the physical characteristics of the sources. They may include
details such as the edition, publisher, publication date, and other bibliographic information.
 iii. Analytical Bibliography:

Analytical bibliographies go beyond listing sources; they also analyze the content, structure, and
printing history of each source. This type of bibliography is common in scholarly works related to
book history and printing.

iv. Subject Bibliography:

A subject bibliography categorises sources based on specific topics or subject areas. It helps
researchers find relevant materials on a particular subject.

v. Periodical Bibliography:

This type of bibliography focuses on sources published in a specific periodical or journal. It lists
articles, essays, or other contributions within a given periodical.

vi. Reference Bibliography:

Reference bibliographies are lists of recommended readings or resources related to a particular

topic. They are often found in textbooks, instructional materials, or on educational websites.

vii. National Bibliography:

National bibliographies focus on publications from a specific country. They are comprehensive
lists of works published within a country, often maintained by national libraries or bibliographic
institutions.

viii. International Bibliography:

International bibliographies cover works published across different countries or regions. They
provide a broader perspective on a particular topic.

ix. Retrospective and Selective Bibliography

A "retrospective and selective bibliography" refers to a list of publications focused on a specific

topic from a past time period, where only a carefully chosen selection of the most relevant and
important works are included, rather than attempting to list everything published during that time
frame
MODULE 5: APPLY THE 8 AREAS OF ANGLO-AMERICAN CATALOGUING RULES
2ND EDITION IN CATALOGUING

The Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, Second Edition, 1998 Revision, is used when
performing the first step in cataloguing, called descriptive cataloguing. Generally referred to as
AACR2R in the library world, this volume is a collection of rules adopted by a majority of libraries
in the United States, Great Britain, Canada, and Australia. Published by the American Library
Association, the AACR2R supplies rules for physically describing books and non-book materials.
It also presents rules for establishing the access points for retrieving materials, called the main
entries and the added entries. Furthermore, it spells out exactly how bibliographic information is
to be transferred onto the card or into the library computer databases. In addition to the print
format, AACR2R is available on CD-ROM produced by the Library of Congress, titled
Cataloger’s Desktop.

DESCRIBE MAIN AND ADDED ENTRY

Entry is a piece of information about a book or documents

There are two types of entry

I. Main entry
II. Added entry
I. Main Entry

This entry contains the fullest information about a document. This entry provides the first author
who creates intellectual work and other proper authority concerning documents.

II. Added Entry

This entry contains additional information about a document as used as an access point for
searching/finding a document.
Example of Entry

020
KIM
KIMOLO, Kanyinyi
Cataloguing Principles/ Kanyinyi Kimolo. _2nd ed._Dar es salaam: Mkuki na Nyota Publishers, 2025.
Vii, 367p.: ill; 29 cm._ (series no.3).
Include index
ISBN 978-342-231-234-1

Figure 1

IDENTIFY BIBLIOGRAPHIC DETAILS/ELEMENTS OF DOCUMENT/BOOK

i. Title
ii. Author
iii. Edition
iv. Place of publication
v. Publisher
vi. Year of publication
vii. Pagination
viii. Series
ix. ISBN (International Standard Book Number)

i. Title

The title is a distinctive phrase or word which captures the whole content of the book. Or

This means the name of the book or other documents eg. Cataloguing Principles

ii. Author

This element means the name of a person who created an intellectual work eg, Kanyinyi Kimolo

iii. Edition
This means an expansion of subjects/or themes concerning particular subjects eg. 2nd edition

iv. Place of publication

This element means the name of the place/location where the book/document was published eg.
Dar es Salaam

v. Publisher

This element means the name of a person or institution who’s published a certain work/book.
e.g.,Mkuki na Nyota Publishers

vi. Year of publication

This element means the year that the book was punished e.g. 2025

vii. Pagination

This means the number of pages of a certain document/book e.g. 650 pages

viii. Series

This element involves the continuation of a certain subject or issue discussed in the
book/document. E.g. series number 3

ix. ISBN (International Standard Book Number)

This element means the number of certain books that are given to the author by the government or
institutions selected by the government to govern the literature within a country. For example, in
Tanzania, this number is provided by the Tanzania Library Service Board (TLSB), An Example
of the ISBN is 978-342-231-234-1

IDENTIFY THE 8 AREAS INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

1. Title and statement of responsibility

2. Edition area
3. Material (type of publication) specific
4. Publication distribution (imprint)
5. Physical description
6. Series area
7. Note area
8. Standard Availability Number, e.g. ISBN (International Standard Book Number)

1. Title and statement of responsibility area: Generally, most items in a library have a title.
They can also have a subtitle that is a title that qualifies the title proper or even a parallel
title especially when the title appears in another language. This area also indicates the
person or body responsible for producing the intellectual content of a document.

2. Edition of a document: This contains the edition statement whether named or numbered.
This happens when a document has been revised and updated. In such a situation there
could appear as numbered: second, third edition, etc. If it is a first edition, it is not necessary
to include the edition statement. Standard abbreviations listed in Appendix B of AACR2R
and numerals found in Appendix C are used in place of words that appear as the chief
source of information of the document.

3. Material or type of publication: This is usually given if it is a special type of material.

The medium of the material is indicated, for example, if it is a slide, map or audio
recording. It is optional for books and many other information carriers.

4. Publication distribution: This area is sometimes referred to as imprint. This area describes
the place where the item was produced or distributed, those responsible for producing the
item, which could be a publisher or manufacturer, as well as the date of publication or
manufacture.
5. Physical description: This section provides the number of physical units in Arabic
numerals, which is then followed by the specific type of material. For a book, it gives the
extent of a document in terms of number of pages. Other physical details include illustrative
materials present in the document. It could be photographs, tables, etc. The dimensions of
a document are also taken into account. It could be diameter as found in sound discs, or
height and width as for books, etc. There are also other specific physical details depending
on the format of the information carrier.
6. Series area: Some documents are published as part of a series. The series usually has a
collective title and statement of responsibility. It also provides the number assigned to the
items amongst all the items that have been published as part of the series. Sometimes, the
series title has an International Standard Serial Number (ISSN).

7. Note area: This area indicates some special features of the document. For example,
bibliography, index, etc, that needs to be noted in the catalogue entry.

8. Standard Availability Number: Every document is expected to have a unique number

that is peculiar to that document alone. It is a combination of the country number, publisher
number and the item itself. Two editions of the same book will have two different unique
numbers. Also the same edition of a book published in two different places will have
different unique numbers. ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is used for books
and some other printed materials, while ISSN (International Standard Serial Number) is
used for serials and some other informational materials. This area also includes details
about the availability of the document, including the price.

EXAMPLE OF CARD OF BOOK THAT SHOWS AREAS AND PUNCTUATION

MODULE 7: APPLY AT LEAST SEVEN MAIN CATEGORIES OF THE LIBRARY OF
CONGRESS CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM

Overview History of Library of Congress Classification (LCC)

The Library of Congress Classification (LCC) is a system of library classification developed by

the Library of Congress. It is used by most research and academic libraries in the U.S. and several
other countries. The classification was invented by Herbert Putnam in 1897, just before he
assumed the librarianship of Congress. With advice from Charles Ammi Cutter, it was influenced
by his Cutter Expansive Classification, the Dewey Decimal System, and the Putnam Classification
System (developed while Putnam was head librarian at the Minneapolis Public Library).It was
designed specifically for the purposes and collection of the Library of Congress to replace the fixed
location system developed by Thomas Jefferson. By the time Putnam departed from his post in
1939, all the classes except K (Law) and parts of B (Philosophy and Religion) were well developed.
LCC has been criticized for lacking a sound theoretical basis; many of the classification decisions
were driven by the practical needs of that library rather than epistemological considerations.
Although it divides subjects into broad categories, it is essentially enumerative in nature. That is,
it provides a guide to the books actually in one library's collections, not a classification of the world

The 21 Main classes of LCC

Class A: Generalia. Topics are too general for other classes.
Class B: Philosophy, Psychology, Religion. The problem of cross-classification: a philosopher has
a number in B but may also be classed by topic. Check usage.
Class C: Auxiliary Sciences of History. History of civilization; Archeology; Diplomatics, archives,
seals; Technical chronology, calendar; Numismatics; Inscriptions, epigraphy; Heraldry;
Genealogy; Biography.
Class D: History: General and Old World.
Class E: History: America general and United States.
Class F: History: United States Local History, Canada, Central America, South America.
Class G: Geography, Maps, Anthropology, Recreation.
Class H: Social Sciences
Class J: Political Science
Class K: Law
Class L: Education
Class M: Music. Includes a section devoted to definitions of music terms and special rules.
Class N: Fine Arts
Class P: Language and Literature
Class Q: Science
Class R: Medicine
Class S: Agriculture
Class T: Technology. Note that Q is for pure science and T is for applied science. For example,
computer work could fall under Q or T. Check for usage.
Class U: Military Science
Class V: Naval Science
Class Z: Bibliography, Library Science.
Class ZA: Information resources.

Subject Area and Their Division

Class A – General Works

• Subclass AC – Collections. Series. Collected works

• Subclass AE – Encyclopedias
• Subclass AG – Dictionaries and other general reference works
• Subclass AI – Indexes
• Subclass AM – Museums. Collectors and collecting
• Subclass AN – Newspapers
• Subclass AP – Periodicals
• Subclass AS – Academies and learned societies
• Subclass AY – Yearbooks. Almanacs. Directories
• Subclass AZ – History of scholarship and learning. The humanities

Class B – Philosophy. Psychology. Religion

 • Subclass B – Philosophy (General)
• Subclass BC – Logic
• Subclass BD – Speculative philosophy
• Subclass BF – Psychology
• Subclass BH – Aesthetics
• Subclass BJ – Ethics
• Subclass BL – Religions. Mythology. Rationalism
• Subclass BM – Judaism
• Subclass BP – Islam. Bahaism. Theosophy, etc.
• Subclass BQ – Buddhism
• Subclass BR – Christianity
• Subclass BS – The Bible
• Subclass BT – Doctrinal theology
• Subclass BV – Practical Theology
• Subclass BX – Christian Denominations

Class C – Auxiliary Sciences of History

• Subclass C – Auxiliary Sciences of History

• Subclass CB – History of Civilization
• Subclass CC – Archaeology
• Subclass CD – Diplomatics. Archives. Seals
• Subclass CE – Technical Chronology. Calendar
• Subclass CJ – Numismatics
• Subclass CN – Inscriptions. Epigraphy
• Subclass CR – Heraldry
• Subclass CS – Genealogy
• Subclass CT – Biography

Class D – World History and History of Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, etc.

• Subclass D – History (General)

• Subclass DA – Great Britain
• Subclass DAW – Central Europe
• Subclass DB – Austria – Liechtenstein – Hungary – Czechoslovakia
• Subclass DC – France – Andorra – Monaco
• Subclass DD – Germany
• Subclass DE – Greco-Roman World
• Subclass DF – Greece
• Subclass DG – Italy – Malta
• Subclass DH – Low Countries – Benelux Countries
 • Subclass DJ – Netherlands (Holland)
• Subclass DJK – Eastern Europe (General)
• Subclass DK – Russia. Soviet Union. Former Soviet Republics – Poland
• Subclass DL – Northern Europe. Scandinavia
• Subclass DP – Spain – Portugal
• Subclass DQ – Switzerland
• Subclass DR – Balkan Peninsula
• Subclass DS – Asia
• Subclass DT – Africa
• Subclass DU – Oceania (South Seas)
• Subclass DX – Romanies

Class E – History of the Americas

• Class E does not have any subclasses.

Class F – Local History of the Americas

F -- Local History of the United States and British, Dutch, French, and Latin America

• Class F does not have any subclasses, however Canadian Universities and the Canadian
National Library use FC for Canadian History, a subclass that the LC has not officially
adopted, but which it has agreed not to use for anything else[7][8]

Class G – Geography, Anthropology, Recreation

• Subclass G – Geography (General). Atlases. Maps

• Subclass GA – Mathematical geography. Cartography
• Subclass GB – Physical geography
• Subclass GC – Oceanography
• Subclass GE – Environmental Sciences
• Subclass GF – Human ecology. Anthropogeography
• Subclass GN – Anthropology
• Subclass GR – Folklore
• Subclass GT – Manners and customs (General)
• Subclass GV – Recreation. Leisure

Class H – Social Sciences

• Subclass H – Social sciences (General)

• Subclass HA – Statistics
• Subclass HB – Economic theory. Demography
 • Subclass HC – Economic history and conditions
• Subclass HD – Industries. Land use. Labor
• Subclass HE – Transportation and communications
• Subclass HF – Commerce
• Subclass HG – Finance
• Subclass HJ – Public finance
• Subclass HM – Sociology (General)
• Subclass HN – Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform
• Subclass HQ – The family. Marriage, Women and Sexuality
• Subclass HS – Societies: secret, benevolent, etc.
• Subclass HT – Communities. Classes. Races
• Subclass HV – Social pathology. Social and public welfare. Criminology
• Subclass HX – Socialism. Communism. Anarchism

Class J – Political Science

• Subclass J – General legislative and executive papers

• Subclass JA – Political science (General)
• Subclass JC – Political theory
• Subclass JF – Political institutions and public administration
• Subclass JJ – Political institutions and public administration (North America)
• Subclass JK – Political institutions and public administration (United States)
• Subclass JL – Political institutions and public administration (Canada, Latin America, etc.)
• Subclass JN – Political institutions and public administration (Europe)
• Subclass JQ – Political institutions and public administration (Asia, Africa, Australia,
Pacific Area, etc.)
• Subclass JS – Local government. Municipal government
• Subclass JV – Colonies and colonization. Emigration and immigration. International
migration
• Subclass JX – International law, see JZ and KZ (obsolete)
• Subclass JZ – International relations

Class K – Law

• Subclass K – Law in general. Comparative and uniform law. Jurisprudence

• Subclass KB – Religious law in general. Comparative religious law. Jurisprudence
• Subclass KBM – Jewish law
• Subclass KBP – Islamic law
• Subclass KBR – History of canon law
• Subclass KBS – Canon law of Eastern churches
 • Subclass KBT – Canon law of Eastern Rite Churches in Communion with the Holy See of
Rome
• Subclass KBU – Law of the Roman Catholic Church. The Holy See
• Subclasses – KD/KDK - United Kingdom and Ireland
• Subclass KDZ – America. North America
• Subclass KE – Canada
• Subclass KF – United States
• Subclass KG – Latin America – Mexico and Central America – West Indies. Caribbean
area
• Subclass KH – South America
• Subclasses KJ-KKZ – Europe
• Subclasses KL-KWX – Asia and Eurasia, Africa, Pacific Area, and Antarctica
• Subclass KU/KUQ – Law of Australia and New Zealand
• Subclass KZ – Law of nations

Class L – Education

• Subclass L – Education (General)

• Subclass LA – History of education
• Subclass LB – Theory and practice of education
• Subclass LC – Special aspects of education
• Subclass LD – Individual institutions – United States
• Subclass LE – Individual institutions – America (except United States)
• Subclass LF – Individual institutions – Europe
• Subclass LG – Individual institutions – Asia, Africa, Indian Ocean islands, Australia, New
Zealand, Pacific islands
• Subclass LH – College and school magazines and papers
• Subclass LJ – Student fraternities and societies, United States
• Subclass LT – Textbooks

Class M – Music

• Subclass M – Music
• Subclass ML – Literature on music
• Subclass MT – Instruction and study

Class N – Fine Arts

• Subclass N – Visual arts

• Subclass NA – Architecture
• Subclass NB – Sculpture
 • Subclass NC – Drawing. Design. Illustration
• Subclass ND – Painting
• Subclass NE – Print media
• Subclass NK – Decorative arts
• Subclass NX – Arts in general

Class P – Language and Literature

• Subclass P – Philology. Linguistics

• Subclass PA – Greek language and literature. Latin language and literature
• Subclass PB – Modern languages. Celtic languages and literature
• Subclass PC – Romanic languages
• Subclass PD – Germanic languages. Scandinavian languages
• Subclass PE – English language
• Subclass PF – West Germanic languages
• Subclass PG – Slavic languages and literatures. Baltic languages. Albanian language
• Subclass PH – Uralic languages. Basque language
• Subclass PJ – Oriental languages and literatures
• Subclass PK – Indo-Iranian languages and literatures
• Subclass PL – Languages and literatures of Eastern Asia, Africa, Oceania
• Subclass PM – Hyperborean, Native American, and artificial languages
• Subclass PN – Literature (General)
• Subclass PQ – French literature – Italian literature – Spanish literature – Portuguese
literature
• Subclass PR – English literature
• Subclass PS – American literature
• Subclass PT – German literature – Dutch literature – Flemish literature since 1830 –
Afrikaans literature -Scandinavian literature – Old Norse literature: Old Icelandic and Old
Norwegian – Modern Icelandic literature – Faroese literature – Danish literature –
Norwegian literature – Swedish literature
• Subclass PZ – Fiction and juvenile belles lettres

Class Q – Science

• Subclass Q – Science (General)

• Subclass QA – Mathematics
• Subclass QB – Astronomy
• Subclass QC – Physics
• Subclass QD – Chemistry
• Subclass QE – Geology
• Subclass QH – Natural history – Biology
 • Subclass QK – Botany
• Subclass QL – Zoology
• Subclass QM – Human anatomy
• Subclass QP – Physiology
• Subclass QR – Microbiology

Class R – Medicine

• Subclass R – Medicine (General)

• Subclass RA – Public aspects of medicine
• Subclass RB – Pathology
• Subclass RC – Internal medicine
• Subclass RD – Surgery
• Subclass RE – Ophthalmology
• Subclass RF – Otorhinolaryngology
• Subclass RG – Gynecology and Obstetrics
• Subclass RJ – Pediatrics
• Subclass RK – Dentistry
• Subclass RL – Dermatology
• Subclass RM – Therapeutics. Pharmacology
• Subclass RS – Pharmacy and materia medica
• Subclass RT – Nursing
• Subclass RV – Botanic, Thomsonian, and Eclectic medicine
• Subclass RX – Homeopathy
• Subclass RZ – Other systems of medicine

Class S – Agriculture

• Subclass S – Agriculture (General)

• Subclass SB – Horticulture. Plant propagation. Plant breeding
• Subclass SD – Forestry. Arboriculture. Silvi culture
• Subclass SF – Animal husbandry. Animal science
• Subclass SH – Aquaculture. Fisheries. Angling
• Subclass SK – Hunting

Class T – Technology

• Subclass T – Technology (General)

• Subclass TA – Engineering Civil engineering (General).
• Subclass TC – Hydraulic engineering. Ocean engineering
• Subclass TD – Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering
 • Subclass TE – Highway engineering. Roads and pavements
• Subclass TF – Railroad engineering and operation
• Subclass TG – Bridges
• Subclass TH – Building construction
• Subclass TJ – Mechanical engineering and machinery
• Subclass TK – Electrical engineering. Electronics. Nuclear engineering
• Subclass TL – Motor vehicles. Aeronautics. Astronautics
• Subclass TN – Mining engineering. Metallurgy
• Subclass TP – Chemical technology
• Subclass TR – Photography
• Subclass TS – Manufacturing engineering. Mass production
• Subclass TT – Handicrafts. Arts and crafts
• Subclass TX – Home economics

Class U – Military Science

• Subclass U – Military science (General)

• Subclass UA – Armies: Organization, distribution, military situation
• Subclass UB – Military administration
• Subclass UC – Military maintenance and transportation
• Subclass UD – Infantry
• Subclass UE – Cavalry. Armor
• Subclass UF – Artillery
• Subclass UG – Military engineering. Air forces
• Subclass UH – Other military services

Class V – Naval Science

• Subclass V – Naval science (General)

• Subclass VA – Navies: Organization, distribution, naval situation
• Subclass VB – Naval administration
• Subclass VC – Naval maintenance
• Subclass VD – Naval seamen
• Subclass VE – Marines
• Subclass VF – Naval ordnance
• Subclass VG – Minor services of navies
• Subclass VK – Navigation. Merchant marine
• Subclass VM – Naval architecture. Shipbuilding. Marine engineering

Class Z – Bibliography, Library Science

Class Z -- Bibliography. Library Science. Information resources
 • Subclass Z – Books (General). Writing. Paleography. Book industries and trade. Libraries.
Bibliography
• Subclass ZA – Information resources/materials

Advantages:
i. New classes, subclasses and topics can be added. Not all letters for main topics have been
used (I, O, W, X, Y).
ii. LC numbers allow for a unique number to be assigned to a work using cutter numbers,
expansion of decimal numbers, and publication date.
iii. Cutter numbers give flexibility so that new topics and geographic areas can be added within
a range of numbers.
iv. The resources of the Library of Congress back the LCC scheme.

Disadvantages:

i. There is a large number of schedules.

ii. There is no overall index.
iii. There is relatively little documentation on how to use the classification.
iv. There is no table

Review questions

• Identify main classes of LCC?

• Discuss advantages and disadvantages of LCC?

MODULE 8: APPLY THE DEWEY DECIMAL CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM TO

PROCESS BOOKS IN THE LIBRARY AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
5.1 Overview History of DDC

Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) is the most popular of all the modern library classification
schemes. It was devised by Melville Dewey in 1876. It provides a systematic arrangement of all
the materials mechanized by the notation of great simplicity and apparent flexibility. With the
emergence of DDC, the principle of the relative location of books on the shelf according to the
subject became perfectly feasible, and it replaced the then-existing practice of a fixed location
when a certain number of shelves were allotted to each subject, and each book was identified by
the shelf number and its position on the shelf. As a matter of fact, all our decimal fraction notation,
but for the convenience of remembering the number, the decimal point is inserted after the third
digit. Sub-divisions are carried out decimally, and all numbers are read as decimals. At each stage,
there are nine coordinate divisions. Whenever there are more than nine divisions of equal status,
the eight are named, and the remaining are covered in the nine divisions, i.e. ‘others’. The use of
simple and pure notation, that is, Indian numbers, provision of form division and relative index,
has made DDC very popular.

Main Class of DDC

DDC contains the ten main classes. The first digit in each three-digit number represents the main
class.

000 Computers, Information & general reference

100 Philosophy & psychology
200 Religion
300 Social sciences
400 Language
500 Science
600 Technology
700 Arts & recreation
800 Literature
900 History & geography
Divisions of DDC
DDC contains a hundred divisions. The second digit in each three-digit number indicates the
division.
000 GENERAL WORKS 100 PHILOSOPHY
010 Bibliographies 110 Metaphysics
020 Library & Information Science 120 Epistemology
030 Encyclopedias & Books of Facts 130 Astrology, Parapsychology & The Occult
040 [Unassigned] 140 Philosophical Schools of Thought
050 Magazines, Journals & Serials 150 Psychology & Substance Abuse
060 Associations, Organizations & Museums 160 Logic
070 Journalism, Publishing & News Media 170 Ethics
080 Quotations 180 Ancient, Medieval & Eastern Philosophy
090 Manuscripts & Rare Books 190 Modern Western Philosophy

200 RELIGION 300 SOCIAL SCIENCES

210 Philosophy & Theory of Religion 310 Statistics
220 The Bible 320 Political Science & International Law
230 Christianity & Christian Theology 330 Economics
240 Christian Practice & Observance 340 Law
250 Christian Pastoral Practice & Religious Order 350 Public Administration & Military Science
260 Church Organization, Social Work & 360 Social Problems & Social Services
Worship 370 Education
270 History of Christianity 380 Commerce, Communications &
280 Christian Denominations Transportation
290 Other Religions 390 Customs, Etiquette & Folklore

400 LANGUAGE 500 SCIENCE

410 Linguistics 510 Mathematics & Computer Technology
420 English & Old English Languages 520 Astronomy
430 German & Related Languages 530 Physics
440 French & Related Languages 540 Chemistry
450 Italian, Romanian & Related Languages 550 Earth Sciences & Geology
460 Spanish & Portuguese Languages 560 Fossils & Prehistoric Life
470 Latin & Italic Languages 570 Biology & Life Sciences
480 Classical & Modern Greek Languages 580 Plants (Botany)
490 Other Languages 590 Animals (Zoology)

600 TECHNOLOGY 700 FINE ARTS & RECREATION

610 Medicine 710 Landscaping & area planning
620 Engineering 720 Architecture
630 Agriculture 730 Sculpture, ceramics & metalwork
640 Home management & hospitality industry 740 Drawing & decorative arts
650 Management, public relations & printing 750 Painting
660 Chemical engineering 760 Graphic arts
670 Manufacturing 770 Photography
 680 Manufacturing specific products 780 Music
690 Building & construction 790 Sports, games & entertainment

800 LITERATURE & CRITICISM 900 HISTORY

810 American Literature in English 910 Geography & Travel
820 English & Old English Literatures 920 Biography & Genealogy
830 German & Related Literatures 930 History of the Ancient World (to 499 A.D.)
840 French & Related Literatures 940 History of Europe (ca.500 A.D. - )
850 Italian, Romanian & Related Literatures 950 History of Asia
860 Spanish & Portuguese Literatures 960 History of Africa
870 Latin & Italic Literatures 970 History of North America
880 Classical & Modern Greek Literatures 980 History of South America
890 Other Literatures 990 History of Other

Subdivision of DDC
DDC contains thousand sections. The third digit in each three-digit number indicates the section.
Thus 530 is used for general works on physics, 531 for 159 classical mechanics, 532 for fluid
mechanics, 533 for gas mechanics. Arabic numerals are used to represent each class in the DDC.
A decimal point follows the third digit in a class number, after which division by ten continues to
the specific degree of classification needed.

Advantages
i. It is expansion and adaptation to the needs of the communities it serves.
ii. The DDC is published in both full and abridged versions, as well as, now, online versions
called ‘Web-Dewey.’
iii. The DDC uses very well recognized Arabic numerals
iv. The DDC is hierarchical structure
v. The class numbers are easy to write type and remember.
vi. The Dewey scheme has an excellent relative index.
vii. The scheme allows for the close classification or broad classification
viii. It is hospitable

Disadvantages

i. The provision of only ten main classes’ means that the base is too short, resulting in lengthy
classification numbers.
 ii. The limitations of division and subdivision by only 10 places leads to the squeezing of
subjects into a conglomerate last division called ‘others’.
iii. The arrangement of classes has been criticized, especially the separation of language from
literature, social sciences from history, psychology from medicine.
iv. There is a bias towards Protestant/American aspects prevalent in both the history and
religion disciplines. .
v. There is the potential for very large classification call numbers as a result of number
building and the need for extreme accuracy by some libraries

COMPARISON BETWEEN DDC AND LCC

➢ DDC has 10 main classes while LCC has 21 Main classes
➢ DDC was written/ devised by Melville Dewey while LCC was devised by Herbert Putnam
and Thomas Jefferson
➢ DDC was published at first in 1876, while LCC published at first in 1897
➢ DDC uses pure notation while LCC uses mixed notation
➢ DDC has a Relative index, while LCC has a Specific index
➢ DDC is more flexible than the Library of Congress Classification because of the greater
use of facets (via auxiliary tables), while the Library of Congress Classification is almost
totally enumerative.
➢ DDC's decimal system means that it is less hospitable to the addition o f n e w
subjects, while the Library of Congress Classification has 21 classes
a t t h e t o p l e v e l . D D C n o t a t i o n s c a n t a k e m u c h l o n g e r t h a n other
classification systems.

CLASSIFICATION PROCESS

The classification process is a sequence of steps that involved in identifying and classifying the
library materials.

Classification is the bedrock of a systematic library. It is the hyphen that joins and the buckle that
fastens the reader and his document.
IDENTIFICATION OF A SUBJECT

In determining a book's subjects, several areas/parts of such a book need to be consulted. Librarians
or classifiers search the subjects of the book in order to understand the subject or concepts of the
book. Then, he/she can be able to assign the class number according subject of the book on
classification schemes.

The following are the areas/parts of such a book that need to be consulted such as

i. Title page
ii. Preface/introduction page
iii. Table of content
iv. Abstract
v. Index
vi. Bibliographic reference
vii. Cataloguing In Publication (C.I.P)

STEPS ON CLASSIFYING BOOKS BY USING DDC

Several steps must be completed when classifying a library item and creating a call number for
that item. This should be done with all library materials, regardless of format. We are going to
look at these steps as we prepare to use the DDC.

The first step is to determine whether the item being catalogued is fiction or non-fiction.

In most libraries, these two types of materials are shelved separately and treated differently in the
cataloguing process. Most of the time, fictional materials are shelved alphabetically by the author’s
last name to create a very browsable collection of recreational-use materials. If this is the case, the
call number is often easily made up of the author’s last name, and perhaps indicators for the title
and the date of publication.

The second step is to determine the subject matter of each of the items to be classified

After fiction and non-fiction items are separated and decisions are made concerning the treatment
of non-book materials, the next step is to determine the subject matter of each of the items to be
classified. Classification begins with identifying the particular subject of a book, which originates
from the book title as well as the sub-title. If the book title is very general, then the subject content
of the book is identified either by going through the preface or the table of contents. This can easily
be completed if the cataloguing has been done in the same order as these library courses. The
subject headings assigned is very helpful in starting the search for a notation in any classification
system. For library materials with just one or two subject headings, looking those terms up in the
DDC index may result in a very obvious choice for a notation. For materials that cover more
aspects or variations of a subject, several terms may need to be looked up in the index and several
places consulted in the schedules before a notation is decided. Either way, the existing subject
headings will give a good starting place for consulting DDC.

The third step is to look and find the subject in Relative Index

After determine the subject matter of the items, the classifier can go to look on Relative Index of
DDC. Relative index is appended to the schedules of o book classification. It is the most important
feature of this scheme; arranged in an alphabetical order and aims to include all topics expressed
or implied in the main tables together with every likely synonym. The index is comprehensive one
but exhaustive. Relative index has the subject content and along each subject there is notation that
represents the subject on the schedule. Example mathematics, in index will show number 510

The third fourth, To cross check the subject notation in schedules

After looking and finding the subject in Relative Index, the guiding principle of the DDC is that a
work is classed in the discipline for which it is intended, rather than the discipline from which the
work derives. This enables works that are used together to be found together. For example, a
general work by a zoologist on agricultural pest control should be classed in agriculture, not
zoology, along with other works on agricultural pest control. Once the subject has been
determined, and information on the discipline has been found, the classifier will turn to the
schedules. The summaries are a good means of mental navigation. The headings and notes in the
schedules themselves and the Manual provide much guidance. The particular notation should be
verified in schedule in order to be accurate with the certain subject. Because sometime index can
provide a notation in a certain subject but when you proofread in schedule, that notation cannot
interpret the actual subject but a related one. So, there is a need for classifiers to cross check the
notation/number on schedule before they assigned to the book or documents.

Note: sometimes, some other subject need to be built to be more specific. This involves the use of
table of DDC. Example of table that are usually used in DDC

Number Building
The classifier will often find that to arrive at a precise number for a work it is necessary to build
or synthesize a number that is not specifically listed in the schedules. Such built numbers allow
for greater depth of content analysis. They are used only when instructions in the schedules make
them possible. Number building begins with a base number (always stated in the instruction note)
to which another number is added.
Example
Table 1: A standard subdivision represents a recurring physical form (such as a dictionary,
periodical, or index) or approach (such as history or research) and thus is applicable to any subject
or discipline that covers or approximates the whole of the meaning of the number. Here are a few
examples with the standard subdivision concept underlined (in some cases, an extra 0 precedes the
standard subdivision according to instructions found in the schedules):

150.1Philosophy and theory of psychology

230.03Dictionary of Christianity
624.0285Computer applications in civil engineering
796.912092Biography of a figure skater

The fourth step is to Assign a Class Number to the Document/Book

The final step in this process will be to consult the various sections of the DDC for the correct
notation needed to classify the item being catalogued. This provides the first piece of information
needed to create a complete call number, or address, for items being placed in the library collection
and to assign the relevant class number of a subject