DDC - Dewey Decimal Classification: a numeric system that categorizes resources according to subject headings. It uses a "tree of knowledge" approach, dividing all knowledge into "branches" or main classes. There are 10 main classes, further divided into 10 divisions, divided into 10 sections=1000 sections total. (Each section is further divided into subdivisions)
LCC - Library of Congress Classification: an alphanumeric system considered too complex for school libraries.
These are the two main library classification systems in the world. Although DDC beats out LCC as the most widely used. DDC is used in most k-12 schools in Canada with LCC being used in all Canadian post-secondary institutions. Therefore, it's important to prepare gr. 12 students with a "heads up" for this library system!
Other systems are NCD (Nippon Decimal Classification in China/Japan) and CC (Colon Classification (India).
Other systems like the DCM (Dublin Core Metadata) is being used for web resources, digital images etc.
Melville (Melvil) Dewey: Imagine becoming the "The Father of Modern Librarianship at the "green" age of 21! Prior to his DDC, there were no uniform classification rules in libraries.
Classification:how a collection is arranged on the shelves
Call Number: An item's "address" on the shelves.
It's important to note that many cataloguers assign subject headings before deciding on a classification number. The first subject heading represents the primary focus of the work.
Abridged DDC: used in most school libraries. 2 main components
Schedules - listing of topics
Notations - code assigned to represent each topic
Tables - notations to be added to emphasize special aspects of a topic
Schedule Expansions: each new DDC edition (every 7 years for print version) adds new topics
Schedule Relocations: topics are moved from one notation to another. Ah ha! Just when you've finally figured out how to catalog and complete it successfully --they change it on you! Sigh...how to keep up?
Pure Notation: (DDC) consists of one type of character (numbers)
Mixed Notation: (LCC) uses more than one type of character (numbers and letters=alphanumeric)
Number Building: The process of adding notations.
Here are some "RULES TO REMEMBER" about Classification:
1. Alas, cataloguing can't be learned in a day (no kidding?)
2. Dewey is not perfect (who is?) The idea being that its principles are observed as far as possible but cataloguing items in your library should not conflict, create unwanted juxtaposition or interfere with practical considerations (p. 168 text).
3. As some books can legitimately be placed under several numbers, choose based on the curriculum and the school's needs!
4. Maximum usage should be the primary goal when making cataloguing decisions.
5. Bend the Rules: Yay! Permission to veer from the standard!
A few tidbits on LCC:
-originally designed for the Library of Congress
-not based on a decimal system (is alphanumeric)
-has 21 major classes (indicated with CAPITAL letters)
-subdivisions are also indicated with CAPITAL letters
-subdivisions are subdivided by adding numbers to letters (expands subject specificity)
-can subdivide further by adding decimal numbers or an additional letter followed by a number
A Basic Principle of Classification: Always proceed from broad to specific (therefore, the longest call number represents the most specific subject)
Here are a few Organizing Attributes used in Classifying Materials:
1. Date Acquired - used in the past (accession number) sometimes still used.
2. Fixed Order - where items are not moved from the initial placement
3. Genre & Form - ie.) collections of fiction grouped together, or items of the same physical form being grouped together - electronic resources, videos, sound recordings, maps etc.
4. Size - ie.) OS = over sized
5. Alphabetical Order - ie.) fiction and biography, periodicals (vs. subject matter)
6. Main Entries (authors)
7. Subject Arrangement - used most frequently (knowledge divided by fields of study)
8. Relative Location - materials are moved to keep materials on the same subject together (opposite of fixed location)
While the DDC and LCC have several similarities (both originating in the late 19th C to early 20th C, both having a bias towards western culture & worldview), they have some notable differences.
Differences between DDC & LCC:
1. Size (main difference) and specificity (LCC has greater specificity)
2. Notation
3. Structural approaches
4. Mnemonics (meaning aids) DDC provides this, not LCC
5. Indexing
6. Tables and their application
Collection Designations: added to a Call # if an item is to be housed separately from the main collection ie) Reference books (R or Ref)
Cutter Numbers: Using fewer characters to represent something (cuttering) ie) a book by Inter would be cuttered to I, In or Int.
Prior to this reading, it never occurred to me to consider "bending the rules" to better suit my school's library. DDC seemed so fixed and permanent. Another valuable piece of advice that I gleaned from this chapter (9) was the following: "Decisions regarding classification and shelving made in the library should be carefully documented in writing and maintained in a file with other policies and procedures, to ensure continuity... What I would have given to have something useful like this when I took over my latest library assignment!
LCC - Library of Congress Classification: an alphanumeric system considered too complex for school libraries.
These are the two main library classification systems in the world. Although DDC beats out LCC as the most widely used. DDC is used in most k-12 schools in Canada with LCC being used in all Canadian post-secondary institutions. Therefore, it's important to prepare gr. 12 students with a "heads up" for this library system!
Other systems are NCD (Nippon Decimal Classification in China/Japan) and CC (Colon Classification (India).
Other systems like the DCM (Dublin Core Metadata) is being used for web resources, digital images etc.
Melville (Melvil) Dewey: Imagine becoming the "The Father of Modern Librarianship at the "green" age of 21! Prior to his DDC, there were no uniform classification rules in libraries.
Classification:how a collection is arranged on the shelves
Call Number: An item's "address" on the shelves.
It's important to note that many cataloguers assign subject headings before deciding on a classification number. The first subject heading represents the primary focus of the work.
Abridged DDC: used in most school libraries. 2 main components
Schedules - listing of topics
Notations - code assigned to represent each topic
Tables - notations to be added to emphasize special aspects of a topic
Schedule Expansions: each new DDC edition (every 7 years for print version) adds new topics
Schedule Relocations: topics are moved from one notation to another. Ah ha! Just when you've finally figured out how to catalog and complete it successfully --they change it on you! Sigh...how to keep up?
Pure Notation: (DDC) consists of one type of character (numbers)
Mixed Notation: (LCC) uses more than one type of character (numbers and letters=alphanumeric)
Number Building: The process of adding notations.
Here are some "RULES TO REMEMBER" about Classification:
1. Alas, cataloguing can't be learned in a day (no kidding?)
2. Dewey is not perfect (who is?) The idea being that its principles are observed as far as possible but cataloguing items in your library should not conflict, create unwanted juxtaposition or interfere with practical considerations (p. 168 text).
3. As some books can legitimately be placed under several numbers, choose based on the curriculum and the school's needs!
4. Maximum usage should be the primary goal when making cataloguing decisions.
5. Bend the Rules: Yay! Permission to veer from the standard!
A few tidbits on LCC:
-originally designed for the Library of Congress
-not based on a decimal system (is alphanumeric)
-has 21 major classes (indicated with CAPITAL letters)
-subdivisions are also indicated with CAPITAL letters
-subdivisions are subdivided by adding numbers to letters (expands subject specificity)
-can subdivide further by adding decimal numbers or an additional letter followed by a number
A Basic Principle of Classification: Always proceed from broad to specific (therefore, the longest call number represents the most specific subject)
Here are a few Organizing Attributes used in Classifying Materials:
1. Date Acquired - used in the past (accession number) sometimes still used.
2. Fixed Order - where items are not moved from the initial placement
3. Genre & Form - ie.) collections of fiction grouped together, or items of the same physical form being grouped together - electronic resources, videos, sound recordings, maps etc.
4. Size - ie.) OS = over sized
5. Alphabetical Order - ie.) fiction and biography, periodicals (vs. subject matter)
6. Main Entries (authors)
7. Subject Arrangement - used most frequently (knowledge divided by fields of study)
8. Relative Location - materials are moved to keep materials on the same subject together (opposite of fixed location)
While the DDC and LCC have several similarities (both originating in the late 19th C to early 20th C, both having a bias towards western culture & worldview), they have some notable differences.
Differences between DDC & LCC:
1. Size (main difference) and specificity (LCC has greater specificity)
2. Notation
3. Structural approaches
4. Mnemonics (meaning aids) DDC provides this, not LCC
5. Indexing
6. Tables and their application
Collection Designations: added to a Call # if an item is to be housed separately from the main collection ie) Reference books (R or Ref)
Cutter Numbers: Using fewer characters to represent something (cuttering) ie) a book by Inter would be cuttered to I, In or Int.
Prior to this reading, it never occurred to me to consider "bending the rules" to better suit my school's library. DDC seemed so fixed and permanent. Another valuable piece of advice that I gleaned from this chapter (9) was the following: "Decisions regarding classification and shelving made in the library should be carefully documented in writing and maintained in a file with other policies and procedures, to ensure continuity... What I would have given to have something useful like this when I took over my latest library assignment!
No comments:
Post a Comment