NOTATION

By Shivam Moradia
Meaning
 Notation is a term which is used in
classification schedule. Notation is a
series of symbols, which is used to
representing a subject, and it is a very
important feature of book classification
in a library
Defination
 Harrods Librarian Glossary (Tenth ed.) “The symbols which
stand for the Divisions in a scheme of classification.”
 W. Howard Philips “A book notation is a series if symbols in
which stand for the name of a class or any division or
subdivision of a class and forms of a convenient means of
reference to the arrangement of a classification”
 H.E Bliss “Notation as a system of marks and symbols in
some order, denoting terms or members of a series or
system of things.”
 Notation has been defined by Richardson as “Shorthand
Sign”. Such shorthand signs or symbols are used in almost all
disciplines to represent the words one, two, three and so on.
 A book notation is a series of symbols which stands for the name of a
class or any division or subdivision of a class, and forms a convenient
means of reference to the arrangement of a classification.

 The notation is an important addition to a classification scheduled; it

has in no way determined its logic, its scope, or its sequence of
development. It furnishes a convenient reference to the arrangement
of a classification; the symbol is not assigned until after the schedule
has been worked out. it has no more bearing on the preparation of
the logic of a classification outline than the chapter numbers of a
book have in fixing the t5hemes of those chapters.

 In most book classifications the notation is a symbol that stands for

either the subject of the book, or the style of writing. Since the
notation is a sign translation of the classification, it usually ensures,
when it is added to the backs of books, a book arrangement which
represents the order of the schedules
 practical book classification”.A notation
then, is essential for the practical
application of book classification; without
notation it would be impossible to apply
classification to books. As classification
is the “foundation of librarianship” it can
be said that “notation is the basis of
Types of Notation
 1. Pure Notation
Pure Notation is consisting of only one
type of symbol. i.e. Arabic numeral
(0,1,2…..9) and Roman letter (A-Z). It
found on DDC (Dewey decimal
classification), and EC scheme.
For example:
 020 stand for Library & Information

Science,
 510 stand for Mathematics, etc
Types of Notation
 2. Mixed Notation
Mixed notation consist of two or more type
of notation. It is a mixture of letter and
number, i.e. Arabic numeral and Roman
letter (0-9) + (A-Z). it found in UDC, LC, CC,
BC & SC scheme.
  For example:

CC:Z, (Q2) Hindu law

LC: Ds559.46.H35 1986 Uncensored war: The
Media and Vietnam by Daniel C. Hallin
Function of “Notation” in library
classification

 1. Stands in place of terms used in the

scheme of classification, so that
whenever the term is to be represented
it may be represented by a class mark
only.
For example:
 The terms Mathematics, Chemistry, &
Physics are referred to by the notation
(In DDC) 510, 530and 540 respectively.
Function of “Notation” in library
classification

 2. Shows the sequence of schedules and

subordination of subjects. That means it not only
stands in place of terms but also acts as a guide to
locate the position of them in the schedules.
For example:
 Let’s take some terms used in DDC.  The terms

Mathematics, Astronomy, and Physics do not

convey any one of there places in the schedules, but
anyone can easily understand when we say
510- Mathematics.
520- Astronomy.
530- physics.
Function of “Notation” in library
classification

 3. Search to connect alphabetical order

or index with the systematic order of
schedules. That means consulting the
number attach to the index entry, one
can easily find out the place of subject in
the classification schedules location of a
book or books on the shelves.
Function of “Notation” in library
classification

 4. Maintenance systematic order on the

shelves. The arrangement of books on
the shelves should follow the systematic
order shown on the classification
scheme.
 i.e. main class past, then division, sub-
division and so on
Function of “Notation” in library
classification

 5. Notation assists in the efficient guiding of a

library.
 Its mnemonic qualities help a Librarian to
remember the sequence of division within a class.
 It helps to insert new topic in classification without
changing the classification number.
 It helps to divided a broader subject into various
smaller division and then to arrange them in a
convenient form.
 It is obvious from the use made of a notation that
the symbols
Good Quality of Notation

1. Notation should reflect order: The

Notation must indicate order that mean
the symbols use to represent the topic
should indicate the position of that topic
in hierarchy of it main class or division.
Good Quality of Notation
 2. Notation should be assemble as
fetchable: Simplicity of notation
depend on the length of notation and on
the type of symbol use. Mixed notation
may be slightly more complex then a
pure notation of equal length.
Good Quality of Notation
 3. Notation should be as brief as
fetchable:The notation required to be
written on many records, such as the
spine of book and the catalogue cards.
Therefore the briefness in notation is
desirable
Good Quality of Notation
 4. Notation should have flexibility :
The qualification of good notation is that,
it should be able to accommodate new
topics. That means a notation must have
prevision for insertion of new topic into
its relevant place in the schedules.
Good Quality of Notation
 5. Notation should use the synthetic
information: Flexibility of notation is in
impracticable without synthesis in
notation and synthesis is a fetcher which
all schemes use to a lesser or greater.
Good Quality of Notation
 6. Hospitality: this most important
quality without which the ‘Notation’
valueless for the purpose of efficient
library classification is its hospitality.
Since knowledge is dynamic and new
subject are constantly bring created,
schedules must be able to accommodate
new concepts in the correct place. so
notation must be able to accommodate
insertion at any point where it will be
necessary.
Good Quality of Notation
 7. Mnemonic: By ‘Mnemonic’ we mean
a notation which has always the same
significance whenever it appears in the
classification. Mnemonic in notation are
aids to memory
 Usefullness
 Notation is a series of symbols which stands for the name
of a class or any division or sub-division of a class, and
forms a convenient means of reference to the arrangement
of a classification. Summarizing its usefulness, a notation:
 1. Stands instead of the terms of a classification. It is a
constant sign or symbol by which we refer to those terms is
a guide to the sequence of the tables and “places” a term
in the hierarchy of the schedules. The bare names of the
subjects gives no indication of the relative place of those
subjects in the schedules, e.g. the term “Psychology”
conveys no clue to its place in, say the schedules of the
Decimal classification, but the symbol 150 definitely does –
the fifth division of class 100. This is important.
Usefullness :-
 2. makes possible the use of the index.
The symbol attached to the index entry
is the only means of quick reference to
the place of the topic in the schedules.
 Can be used as a short sign to be written
in various parts of the book-on the spine,
back of title page, label, charging cards,
etc.- to facilitate the arrangement books
on the shelves, the recording of issues
and other statistical information.
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