Library Classification

BLISc
 Library Classification
Library Classification is a technique, which helps
in the proper organization and arrangement of
documents and information in a systematic
manner, so that the user can use sources of
information effectively.
 Classification
1. Margaret Mann says, Classification is the act of arranging things
according to their likeness and unlikeness. She further says, It is a
sorting or grouping of things.
2. According to Richardson, Classification is putting together like
things.
3. Berwick Sayers defines library Classification as the arrangement of
books on shelves or description of them, in a manner which is the
most useful to those who read.
4. New Encyclopedia Britannica defines library classification as a
system of arrangement adopted by a library to enable patrons to find
its material quickly and easily.

From these definitions it becomes clear that the arrangement of

documents in a systematic way is called classification.
 Nature of Classification
Classification is a means of bringing order to a
multiplicity of concepts or items of information,
by arranging them into classes – dividing the
universe of information (that is: all recorded
knowledge) into manageable and logical
portions.
Helpful Sequence: Classification helps in organizing the documents in a method most convenient to the
users and to the library staff. The documents should be systematically arranged in classes based on the
mutual relationship between them which would bring together all closely related classes. The basic idea is
to bring the like classes together and separate these from unlike classes. The arrangement should be such
that the user should be able to retrieve the required document as a result it will make a helpful sequence.
Correct Replacement: Documents whenever taken out from shelf should be replaced in their proper
places. It is essential that library classification should enable the correct replacement of documents after
they have been returned from use. This would require a mechanized arrangement so that arrangement
remains permanent.

Mechanized Arrangement: It means to adopt a particular arrangement suitable for the library so that the
arrangement remains permanent. The sequence should be determined once for all, so that one does not
have to pre-determine the sequence of documents once again when these are returned after being
borrowed.
Addition of New Document: Library would acquire new documents from time to time therefore library
classification should help in finding the most helpful place for each of those among the existing collection
of the library. There are two possibilities in this regard. The new books may be or a subject already
provided forin the scheme of library classification, or it may be or a newly emerging subject that may not
have been provided in the existing scheme.

Withdrawal of Document from Stock: In this case, the need arises to withdraw a document from the
library collection for some reason, and then library classification should facilitate such a withdrawal.

Book Display: Display is adopted for a special exhibition of books and other materials on a given topic. The
term is used to indicate that the collection in an open access library is well presented and guided. Library
classification should be helpful in the organization of book displays.
 Other Purposes:

• Compilation of bibliographies catalogues and

union catalogues.
• Classification of information.
• Classification of reference queries.
• Classification of suggestions received from the
users.
• Filing of non book materials such as
photographs, films, etc.
 The library classification helps in the
following ways
1. Shelf arrangement of documents
2. Subject analysis of documents
3. Aids automated and semi-automated
information retrieval system,
4. Aids data or information retrieval, and
5. Specifies the location of a particular
document
 Need of Library Classification
• Shelf arrangement
• Rearrangement of returned books
• Subject wise Approaches
• Preparation of catalogue
• Estimate of library collection
• Display o books
• Statistical data
• Stock Verification
 Structure and Lay-out of CC Book
The book is divided into 3 parts:
• Part-1 : Rules 1.1 to 1.124 pp
• Part-2 : Schedules of Classification and Index 2.1 to 2.172 pp
• Part-3 : Classics and Sacred Books 3.1 to 3.126 pp

• Part-1 relates to rules, definitions, explanations and examples.

• Part-2 consists of schedules of classification and index.
• Part-3 consists of classics in Ideology
 Main Classes
Z Generalia LX Parmocognosy
1 Universe of Knowledge M Useful Arts
2 Library Science Spiritual Experience and Mysticism
3 Book Science MZ Humanities and Social Sciences
4 Journalism MZA Humanities
A Natural Science N Fine Arts
AZ Mathematical Sciences NX Literature and Language
B Mathematics O Literature and Language
BZ Physical Sciences P Linguistics
C Physics Q Religion
D Engineering P Linguistics
E Chemistry
F Technology R Philosophy
G Biology S Psychology
H Geology Social Sciences
HX Mining T Education
I Botany U Geography
J Agriculture W Political Sciences
K Zoology Y Sociology
KX Animal Husbandry YX Social Work
L Medicine Z Law
 Five Fundamental
Categories

Fundamental Category Indicator Digit '

Personality ,(comma)
Matter ;(semi-colon)
Energy :(colon)
Space .(dot)
Time .(dot)
 How to Construct the Class Number?
Eight Step Method:
Classifying document consists of the following steps:
Step 0 Raw Title (Title as found in the document)
Step 1 Full Title (Title expressing each of the relevant basic and isolate ideas in the
subject)
Step 2 Kernel Title (Full Title minus all the auxiliary words)
Step 3 Analysed Title (Kernel Title with each Kernel term market by a symbol,
denoting the fundamental category)
Step 4 Transformed Title (Analysed Title with the Kernel terms rearranged according
to the symbols of analysis)
Step 5 Title in Standard Terms (Transformed Title with the Kernel Terms replaced by
their respective equivalence as given in the schedule)
Step 6 Title in Focal Numbers (Title in Standard terms with the Kernel terms replaced
by their equivalent numbers)
Step 7 Class Number (Got by removing the symbols of analysis and inserting the
appropriate connecting symbols between the facets numbers)
 Title: “An Introduction to the Classification of printed books in University
Libraries in India in Nineteen Thirties”
• Step 0 Raw An Introduction to the Classification of printed books in University Libraries in
India in Nineteen Thirties
• Step 1 Full Title We have to include the basic subject. In Library Science, An introduction to
the Classification of printed books in University Libraries in India in Nineteen Thirties.
• Step 2 Kernel Title Omit the auxiliary words) Library Science. Classification. Printed Books.
University Library. India. Nineteen Thirties.
• Step 3 Analysed Title (Each term is associated with its fundamental category and labeled with
abbreviations.
Library Science [BS]. Classification [E]. Printed Books [M]. University Library [P]. India
[S]. Nineteen Thirties
• Step 4 Transformed Title The terms to be rearranged as per the sequence PMEST.
Library Science [BC] University Library (P) Printed Book [M] Classification [E] India [S]
Nineteen Thirties [T]
• Step 5 Title in Standard Terms Terms replaced by the terms used in the scheduled.
Library Science (BC) University Library (P) Printed Book (M) Classification (E) India (S)
1930’s (T).
• Step 6 Title in Focal Numbers 2 [BC]. 34 [P]. 14 [M]. 51 [E]. 44 [S]. N3 [T].
• Step 7 Synthesized Title 234; 14: 51. 44 ’N3
 Cataloguing of Newspapers in Local
Libraries in Tamil Nadu in 2000
• Main Class Library Science = 2
• Cataloguing [E] 55
• Newspapers [M] 44
• Local Libraries [P] 2
• Tamil Nadu [S] 4411
• 2000 [T] P
Now connect the above numbers in [P] [M] [E] [S] [T]
order using the appropriate connecting symbols.
2;44:55.4411’P
 Isolate in [T2]: Featured Time
c Day-time n5 Autumn
d Night n7 Winter
c Twilight p Meteorological period
n Season p1 Dry
n1 Spring p5 Wet
n3 Summer p8 Snow
 SPACE ISOLATE
By using the nos. given here, you can fill-up the [S] Facet for
continents, countries and districts. Also for ocean, rivers,
deserts, mountains, population clusters like cities etc.
There is a separate index to geographical isolates
Example:
• 1. Mathematics in India B.44
• 2. Libraries in Tamil Nadu 2.4411
• (The isolate no. for Madras (before 1956) is 441. After 1956,
4411)
• 3. Style of fine Arts in Rajasthan up to 1699 N.4437’K99
 LANGUAGE ISOLATE
There is a separate table listing the numbers for the various languages.
These language nos. have to be used at appropriate places.
LANGUAGE ISOLATE
1 Indo-European 16 Iranian
11 Teutonic 161 Avestic
11011 Gothic 162 Pahlavi
110153 Low Frisian 164 Persian
110154 Old Frisian 165 Afghan (Pushtu)
111 English 168 Urdu
112 Dutch 17 Armenian
113 German 18 Albanian
114 Swedish 191 Tockarish
115 Norwegian 192 Phyrigian
Devices in Library Classification

1. Alphabetical Device
5135 Y Yamaha Motor Cycle
L9C Child Medicine

2. Chronological Device
0111,2J64 - Shakespeare
1564 - Year of birth of Shakespeare

2:51M76 - DDC (1876)

2:51N33 - CC (1933)
3. Geographical Device
CC - V44 - History of India
DDC - Criminal law of Modern India – 345.54

4. Subject Device
DDC - 026.61 Medical Libraries
CC - 24(Z) Law Libraries

5. Super Imposition Device

(CC) 1. L18-7 Nervous System of Head
(Isolate numbers taken from the same foci)

2. V44-56 British Territory in India

(This device not used in DDC)
 PHASE RELATION
CC discusses what is called phase relation. It recognizes three levels of
relation, i.e. inter phase (relation between two different subjects), intra facet
(relation between two facets in the same subject), intra array(relation
between two arrays in the same subject).

a) general

b) bias

c) comparison

d) difference and

e) influencing.
Phase Relation

Nature of Levels (3)

Relation Inter Subject Intra Subject Intra Array

General a j t

Bias b k u

Comparison c m v

Difference d m w

Tool e p x

Influencing g r y
 INTER PHASE
General Relation
Example: Relation between Philosophy and Economics. It is general
type and two different subjects.
The class no. is R 0a X
Bias Relation:
Psychology for doctors (i.e., medicine) Class no S 0b L
Labour economics for social workers X:9 0b YZ
Comparison Relation:
Physics compared to Chemistry C 0c E
Difference Relation:
Difference between History and Political Science V 0d W
Influence Relation:
Influence of Education on Society Y 0g T
 INTRA FACET
Intra-facet General Relation:
Study of Administration and Technical Treatment in Academic Libraries
23:50j:8
where, 2 is the Main Class = Library Science
– 3 Academic Libraries [P]
– 5 Technical Treatment [E]
– 8 Administration [E]
The connecting symbol for general intra facet relation is 0j.

Bias Intra-facet Relation:

Heat for Nuclear Engineers = D64 0k 7

Comparison Intra-facet Relation:

Jainism compared to Islam = Q2 0m 7

Difference Intra-facet Relation:

Difference between secondary education and university education
T2 0m 4
Main class education = T, secondary education = T2,
university education = T4. Therefore class no. is T2 om 4
(No need to repeat T).
Influence Intra-facet Relation:
Influence of Hinduism on Buddhism = Q4 0r 2
 INTRA ARRAY

Royalty compared to slum. Main class = sociology = Y. Royalty

Y51, Slum = Y 57. Therefore class no. = Y51 Ov 7 (no need to
repeat Y and 5).
• Further Examples:
1. Geo-Botany I 0g H
2. Difference between Rural Folk and City Folk Y31 0w 5
3. Science and History A 0a V
4. Physics for Mathematicians C 0b B
5. Educational Psychology T 0b S
6. Statistics for Economists B28 0b X
7. Difference between Urban and Mountain Folk Y33 0w 396
 Canonical Divisions:
• B1 Arithmetic
• B2 Algebra
• B3 Analysis
• B4 Other methods
• B5 Trigonometry
• B6 Geometry
• B7 Mechanics
• B8 Physics – Mathematics
• B9 Astronomy