NAME: OLADAPO-DADA OREOLUWA EMMANUEL

MATRIC NO: 22/1423

COUSRE: GEDS 105(USE OF LIBRARY)

DEPARTMENT: COMPUTER SCIENCE

SUMMARY OF USE OF LIBRARY

CLASSIFICATION OF SYSTEMS AND SCHEMES

Classification
The art of grouping based on shared similarities is known as classification. The concept of
classification is universal as we can classify almost anything in life. Human being are sometimes
classified according to races which categorizes human into distinct groups by ethnic,
geographical, anatomical, or even linguistic affiliation. While a broad classification of the human
race would produce three main races (Caucasian, Mongolian and Negroid), further re-
classification of the races would show subdivision within races.

Classification in libraries is also built upon the principle of shared characteristics. Library
material can, therefore, be classified based on the similarities between them. Library
classification, therefore, is the systematic way of grouping subjects and related subjects in such
a way that the knowledge they contain can be displayed one relating to the other.

The reason for classification in libraries are to :

1. aid information retrieval through a systematic arrangement

2. provide subject analysis of a document
3. highlight the relationship between classes and subclasses e.g. education and adult
education
4. bring related subject into proximity
5. bring users in contact with specific books

CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS AND SCHEMES

A system, according to Merriam Webster.com (2014), is a set of interacting or
interdependent component forming an integrated whole. It is an organized set of ideas
intended to explain the arrangement of a systematic whole.
TYPES OF CLASSIFICATION SCHEMES
 1. SPECIAL CLASSIFICATION SCHEME
These are meant for organizing specific collections.
2. NATIONAL CLASSIFICATION SCHEME
Some library classification schemes are developed for use only within a particular
country.
3. GENERAL CLASSIFICATION SCHEME
A classification scheme is said to be general when it cover all body of knowledge.
These are classification schemes that can be used in the classification of any subject.
ATTRIBUTES OF A GOOD CLASSIFICATION SCHEME
1. Unambiguous
Classes in the scheme must be well defined to avoid room for doubt or
confusion.
2. Index
A good classification scheme should have an index to accompany it. This makes
it easier to use.
3. Flexibility
A good classification should be flexible enough to accommodate the inclusion of
new knowledge.
4. Completeness
A good classification scheme should be comprehensive enough to cover the
body of knowledge.

DEWEY DECIMAL CLASSIFICATION (DDC)

The Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) is a general classification scheme that is

continuously revised to keep pace with knowledge. The system was conceived by
Melvil Dewey in 1875 and first published in 1876.

Feature of DDC
 It uses only Arabic numerals as notation. It is, therefore, said to have a pure notation
 It has mnemonic devices as it can easily be remembered.
 It shows hierarchy and network of relationships.
Ten main classes of DDC

Summary
000-099.99 Computer science, information & general works

100-199.99 Philosophy & psychology

200-299.99 Religions

300-399.99 Social science

400-499.99Languages

500-599.99 Science

600-699.99 Technology

700-799.99 Art & recreation

800-899.99 Literature

900-999.99 History & geography

Advantage of DDC
1. It cover all known knowledge
2. Periodic revision keeps it up-to-date
3. It can be applied to material of all kinds
4. The decimal system enables infinite expansion and subdivision
Disadvantage of DDC
1. Average classification numbers tend to be too long
2. The scheme is of little value to special libraries that are subject-based.
Library of congress classification scheme
The library of congress classification (LCC) is a general classification scheme developed in the
late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries to organize and arrange the book collections of
the Library of Congress. The classification was originally developed by Herbert Putnam in 1897,
just before he assumed the librarianship of Congress.

Library of Congress Classification Outline

A. GENERAL WORKS
B. EDUCATION
C. MEDICINE
D. SOCIAL SCIENCE
E. LAW
F. PHILOSOPHY,PSYCHOLOGY,RELIGION

Feature of LCC
 a. The notation is mixed
b. It covers the body of known knowledge
c. It does not have a general index rather there is a detail index in each schedule.
d. It has provision for further knowledge by leaving out IOWXY
Advantage of the LCC
 It is used in most academic libraries all over the world
 It is a robust scheme
Disadvantage of the LCC
 It is too large (in 47 volumes)

COLON CLASSIFICATION (CC)

Colon classification is a system of classification by S. R. Ranganathan. It was first published in
1933. Mostly used in libraries in India, the scheme derived its name from the use of colons to
separate facet in the class number.

UNIVERAL DECIMAL CLASSIFICATION (UDC)

The UDC was developed in 1885 by bibliographers Paul Otlet and Henri la Fontaine. It is
structured in such a way that new development and new fields of knowledge can be readily
incorporated.

Some of the symbols used in UDC are:

 =… Common auxiliaries of language.

 (0…) Common auxiliaries of form.
 (1/9) Common auxiliaries of place.
 “…” Common auxiliaries of time.
MOY’S CLASSIFICATION SCHEME
Moy’s Classification Scheme was developed by Elizabeth (Betty) M. Moys in 1968. The scheme
provides a system for organizing legal materials and as such is used mainly in law libraries.

BLISS BIBLIOGRAPHIC CLASSIFICATION (BC)

The Bliss Bibliographic classification (BC) is a faceted classification scheme that was developed
by Henry E. Bliss. The scheme was first published in four volumes in the United States between
1940 and 1953.