WHAT IS

CLASSIFICATION?

Dr. Sajjad Ullah Jan

• The basic principle of library classification is to group the
items on the shelves according to their subject content, or
sometimes literary or bibliographic form.
• Works that are used together should be shelved together.
• Literary warrant—i.e., the volume of works that have been
written, or are likely to be written, on any topic—should
be a primary factor in the formulation of a classification
scheme.
PURPOSES OF LIBRARY CLASSIFICATION

 Library classification schemes serve to


• bring related items together in a helpful
sequence

• provide formal orderly access to the shelves
either through a direct search of the shelves
(browsing) or via the catalog

• enable easy reshelving of library materials

• provide an order for the classified catalog.
 FEATURES OF A CLASSIFICATION SCHEME

 Library classification schemes generally have the

following features:
 • schedules
 • notation
 • index
 • number building.
 SCHEDULES
 The schedules are the printed, enumerated classes, divisions, etc., of the
scheme, arranged in number order.
 In general, the more enumerative the scheme, the more detailed the schedules;
the more synthetic, the slimmer the schedules.
 In addition, schedules usually have
 • a generalities class
 • form classes
 • form divisions.
 The generalities class is used for very general topics, and comprehensive
combinations of topics,
 e.g., current affairs, general encyclopedias.
 Form classes are used for literature. That is, items are grouped not according to
subject but according to the literary form—poetry, drama, prose, etc.—in which
they are written. These classes also include literary criticism.
 Form divisions are used for works on any subject that are presented in a
particular bibliographic form, e.g., dictionary, periodical.
 NOTATION
 The notation of a classification scheme is the series of symbols that stand for the
classes, subclasses, divisions, and subdivisions of class
 • indicate a subject
 • show its relationship to a class
 • provide a sequential order for arrangement.
 Pure notation is the use of only one type of symbol, such as numbers—
e.g., Dewey Decimal
 Classification 342.569.
 Mixed notation is the use of more than one type of symbol, such as
numbers and letters—e.g.,
 Library of Congress Classification TK51011.H37 1994.
 Good notation should
 • convey order clearly and automatically
 • be as brief and simple as possible
 • be easy to say, write, and remember
 • be flexible, allowing insertion at any point without dislocating the sequence
 • facilitate the use of mnemonics (memory aids).es.
 INDEX
The index is the alphabetical list of the terms used in the
schedules, together with the corresponding notation. It
provides access to the schedules.
It should include, as far as possible, all synonyms for the
term and a breakdown of parts of the subject.

There are two types of index:

•Specific—with only one entry for each topic mentioned in

the schedules
• Relative—enumerating all topics and synonyms and
showing the relation of each topic to all
the disciplines in which it is found.
 NUMBER BUILDING

 This is the ability of the scheme to allow the

construction of notation to include items not
 specifically mentioned in the schedules.
 Classification is natural act.
 Classification in every walk of life
 Classification is knowledge
 Classification is basics of Librarianship
TYPES OF CLASSIFICATION
 Natural Classification
 Un-natural Classification
 Knowledge & Library Classification

 Knowledge Classification is division

of contemporary knowledge in subjects or
categories.
 Library Classification or Book
Classification or Practical Classification basically
deals with knowledge or subject, it also considers
presentation of knowledge, usefulness of library
material, and practical aspects of library material.
Knowledge vs. Library Classification
Knowledge Classification
According to approach of Scholars
Theoretical aspects
Brief
Only Division of Knowledge
Flexible
Inclusion of new subject is easy
Emphases on only knowledge
Book Classification
Emphases on ease of reader
Practical aspects
Detailed
Complete System
Least Flexible
Inclusion of new subject is difficult
Essentials of Book Classification:
Notation; Schedule; Index; Tables; Generalia
Class; Standard Sub-division or Form Division
Knowledge + Material is also considered
PRINCIPLES OF CLASSIFICATION
 Classification on the basis of property.
 On every step of classification consider only one
property.
 Hierarchy in Classification
 Sub-division should be equal
 Coordination in Sub-division
SIMPLE EXERCISE OF CLASSIFICATION
 Spouse a company sells canned and bottled drink
in apple, Banana, orange and mango flavors in
350ml, 550 ml, 1 liter, 1.5 liter. The company
wishes coding of items in its computerized sales
system. The programmer devised the coding
system. The programmer divided coding system
in capacity, container and type of drink
categories.
SIMPLE EXERCISE OF CLASSIFICATION …CONT./

Capacity Container Drink Type

350ml Can Apple

550 ml Bottle Banana

1 liter orange

1.5 liter Mango

 SIMPLE EXERCISE OF CLASSIFICATION …CONT./
The Programmer set preference order for coding and gave codes to each item.
Code Capacity Code Container Code Drink
Type
Preference 2 1 3

21 350ml 32 Can 44 Apple

22 550 ml 31 Bottle 43 Banana

23 1 liter 42 orange

24 1.5 liter 41 Mango

SIMPLE EXERCISE OF CLASSIFICATION …CONT./

 Code for one litter bottle of Apple drink

 Preference order:
 1st preference = Container
 2nd preference= capacity
 3rd preference= Drink Type
 Code will be 31+ 23 + 44= 312344
 Give code to the following
 1.5 litter can of Banana drink
 550 ml bottle of Mango drink
SIMPLE EXERCISE OF CLASSIFICATION …CONT./

Literature 1
Punjabi
English Literature
Literature 13
11
Urdu Poetry Drama
Literature 12 Fiction
21 22 23
Poetry Drama Fiction
21 22 23

Poetry Drama Fiction

21 22 23

First preference = Literature class

Second preference= Literature by language
Third preference= literary form
SIMPLE EXERCISE OF CLASSIFICATION …CONT./

 Code/give number to following:

 English Drama
 Urdu poetry
 Punjabi fiction
BENEFITS OF CLASSIFICATION
 Allow for the organization of the
bibliographic universe into some systematic
order
 In libraries, provide the systematic
arrangement by subject of materials in a
manner most useful for retrieval
BENEFITS OF CLASSIFICATION
 A bibliographic control system
 A system of arranging a library’s collection on the
shelves which provides formal and orderly access
to the materials shelved
 A means of bringing together related items in a
useful sequence from general to specific
 A way to lead the user to the needed items
CLASSIFICATION--BACKGROUND
 Collections have always had some sort of
arrangement
 groupings by title or broad subject or date or size, etc.
 arrangements generally involved a fixed shelf location
for materials
 Substantive developments in library collection
arrangement occurred in the 19th century