MTE514- ORGANIZING LEARNING RESOURCES CENTERS FOR TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
AA3: Comparative Analysis
Comparative Analysis
Advantages and Disadvantages of Dewey Decimal Classification
System and Library of Congress Classification System
System Advantages
 The Dewey Decimal
Classification (DDC) system has a
long history (127 years) of
expansion and adaptation to the
needs of the communities it
serves.
 The DDC is published in both full
and abridged versions, as well as,
now, online versions of the full and
abridged editions in a format
called ‘Web-Dewey.’
 The DDC uses very well recognized
Dewey
Decimal Arabic numerals and the
Classification numbered notation makes it easily
understandable from one culture
to another.
 The DDC breaks down into
relatively well structured and
ordered disciplines, divisions, and
sections. Thus, the scheme is
hierarchical, like a family tree,
showing the relationship of
specific subjects to the parent
subject.
 The DDC has bi-weekly updates to
its current edition put out online.
 The class numbers are easy to
write, type and remember– at least
to hold in one’s mind long enough
to get from a library’s catalogue to
the shelves.
 The Dewey scheme has an
excellent relative index and the
schedules are inexpensive.
Disadvantages
 The provision of only ten
main classes’ means that
the base is too short,
resulting in lengthy
classification numbers.
 The limitations of division
and subdivision by only 10
places leads to the
squeezing of subjects into a
conglomerate last division
called ‘others’.
 The arrangement of classes
has been criticized,
especially the separation of
language from literature;
social sciences from
history; psychology from
medicine.
 There is a bias towards
Protestant/American
aspects prevalent in both
the history and religion
disciplines. These
problems are being
addressed in each new
revision and edition.
 Within the DDC there are
some disciplines that are
closely related, yet quite
separate numerically like
literature 800-899 and
languages 400-499.
 Within the DDC there are
also some classes like
‘Technology,’ in the 600s
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 MTE514- ORGANIZING LEARNING RESOURCES CENTERS FOR TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION
 The scheme allows for the close
classification (lengthy numbers for
specific subjects) or broad
classification (shorter numbers
where fewer details are required).
 Alternative placing is provided for
several subjects so that the
differing libraries can cater to the
requirements of their own
clientele.
 The Classification scheme allows
for expansion so that new subjects
can be included. This facility is
known as ‘hospitality’.
 Enables the categorization of
large collections
 Seldom change the meanings
of existing numbers and the
division of topics
 Considered to have more
logical arrangement of topics
than the Dewey Decimal
Library of System
Congress  Prepares students for using
the libraries in their
communities and for going on
to higher education
 Many libraries use it, creating
a large support system for
librarians
which the call numbers are
very crowded, and others
that are very sparse.
 The DDC is not as easily
expandable as
classification systems like
the Library of Congress
Classification system when
new subjects or
technologies emerge.
 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.
 More expensive than
Dewey
 Close classification not as
advantageous for smaller
libraries due to
fragmentation of related
subjects
 More than one alphabetic
index system
 Inconsistent arrangement
of subtopics in main
classes
 Groups arranged
alphabetically instead of
hierarchically
 Can be difficult if no other
libraries use this system, as
copying and sharing
classification numbers can
be a major advantage in
saving time and
consistency
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Comparison Dewey Decimal Classification between Library of Congress

Classification

Aside from frequent revisions, DDC's main advantage over its major American
rival, the Library of Congress Classification System developed shortly thereafter, is its
simplicity. Using pure notation, a mnemonic system, and a hierarchical decimal point
system are usually easier to work with. The DDC is more flexible than the Library of
Congress taxonomy because facets are used more often, but the Library of Congress
taxonomy is almost entirely enumerative.
The DDC's decimal system means that it is less welcoming to add new subjects,
unlike the Library of Congress classification, which has 21 top classes. DDC notation
can be much longer than other classification systems.
Another downside of DDC is that it become evolved with inside the nineteenth
century basically through one guy and become constructed on a top-down method to
categorise all human knowledge, which makes it tough to evolve to converting fields
of knowledge. The Library of Congress Classification machine become evolved
primarily based totally in particular at the concept of literary warrant; training have
been added (through person professionals in every area) most effective while wanted
for works owned through the Library of Congress. As a result, even as the Library of
Congress Classification machine become capable of contain modifications and
additions of latest branches of knowledge, especially withinside the fields of
engineering and pc science (the extra hospitability of the Library of Congress
Classification become additionally a factor), DDC has been criticized for being
insufficient in overlaying the ones regions. It is said that, as a result, maximum
principal educational libraries withinside the US do now no longer use the DDC due
to the fact the category of works in the ones regions isn't always precise enough,
despite the fact that there are different motives which could actually be weightier,
which includes the a lot decrease fee of the usage of a unique "pre-packaged" catalog
range alternatively of getting surprisingly professional team of workers participants
attractive withinside the time-ingesting.
The Library of Congress classification system is not without its problems. For
example, due to the nature of the system, it is very US-centric and translated into far
fewer languages than DDC and UDC.

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References:

 KRISHAN KUMAR. Theory of classification. 1993. Vikas Publishing; New

Delhi. p1.
 SHARMA (C D). Use of libraries: A guide to better use of libraries and their
resources. 1978. Metropolitan Book; New Delhi. p-120.
 SHARMA (C D). Op. cit., p 121.
 KRISHAN KUMAR. Op. cit., p 4.
 INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY (IGNOU). Unit 2: Needand
purpose of library classification. IGNOU; New Delhi. p 26.
 DUTTA (Dwijendranath). Library classification: Theory and practice. 1962.
The Western Book Depot; Nagpur. p 48.
 RAJU (Addepali Appala Narasimha). Dewey decimal classification (DDC 20):
Theory and practice: A practical and self instructional manual. 1995. T.R.
Publications; Madras. p 4.
 CHOWDHURY (G G). Introduction to modern information retrieval. Ed. 3.
2004. Facet Publishing; London. p 89.
 “Library of Congress Classification System.” School Library Cataloging.
Accessed December 12, 2022.
https://schoollibrarycatologing.weebly.com/library-of-congress-
classification-system.html.

PREPARED BY:

RUTH ELIEZER ALCAZAR

MTE II-Student

SUBMITTED TO:

EULA MAE B. NABONG

MTE 514 - Facilitator

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