Vocational Education Programme
437
Library Classification
Certificate Course
in
Library Science
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF OPEN SCHOOLING
A-24-25, INSTITUTIONAL AREA, SECTOR 62, NOIDA (U.P.)
, LIBRARY CLASSIFICATION
CONTENTS
S.No. Lesson Name Page No.
1. Introduction 1
2. Section A : Colon Classification (CC) 3
3. Section B : Dewey Decimal Classification (DD.C.) 15
4. Part-2 : Library Cataloguing 58
5. Section A : Classified Catalogue Code (CCC) 62
6. Section B : Anglo - American Cataloguing Rules (AACR-2) 112
,In the practical, we will cover various aspects of library materials as
resources, their acquisition and processing. Among materials, both the
print and non-print materials will be included. We will learn how to
work in periodical section which is different than books ,because of
their unique features. We will also discuss classification and catalogu-
ing which are important techniques for organizing library resources.
you will learn how to make a catalogue card and how to classify a book
by giving it a class number.
, PART 1
LIBRARY CLASSIFICATION
, Practical Manual
INTRODUCTION
Every thing can be classified by various ways according to its characteristics.
For example, an apple can be classified according to its size, taste, weight or
place of origin. Ever since man started to record knowledge, he has tried to
arrange the recorded knowledge or documents in a manner that is helpful for Notes
those who want to retrieve it. In a modern library, documents (books and other
reading materials) are arranged by subject for an easy location. Arranging
similar things in some order according to some principle unites and controls
information from various sources. This is possible with the help of library
classification. Library classification is thus a system of arrangement adopted
by a library to enable users to find its materials quickly and easily.
The purpose of library classification is to help in the following:
● When a reader asks for a book which is in the library, it must be located
immediately, even though the library may have hundred of books.
● When a book is returned to the library, its correct place on the shelves
must be immediately determined so that it can be put in proper sequence
for the next user.
● When a new book is added to the library, it must find its proper place
among the other books on the same subject.
● When a new book on a new subject arrives, it must find a place among
already existing subjects related to it.
In simple words, library classification aims at arranging the books in a helpful
sequence. It also mechanizes the correct replacing of books returned after use
by the users. Besides, it fixes the most helpful place for a newly procured and
added book among the already existing collection.
A common method of arranging books is by the names of their authors. This
sequence is helpful to users who want books by a particular author. But it has
been experienced in libraries that most readers ask for books on a particular
subject rather than for books by a particular author. Therefore, if the sequence
of the books is to be helpful, it should be determined by the subject of the
book.
Library classification is thus the translation of the name of the subject of a
book into a preferred artificial language of ordinal numbers. The
individualization of books dealing with the same specific subject is possible
by means of a further set of ordinal numbers which represent some features
of the book other than their thought content. The first of these ordinal numbers
is called the Class number of the book. The second ordinal number is called
its Book Number. The Class Number and Book Number are separated by a
space.
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There are many universally known ‘Schemes of Classification’. Some of these
are: Dewey Decimal Classification, Library of Congress Classification,
Notes Universal Decimal Classification and Colon Classification. Here, we will learn
about two classification systems, namely, Colon Classification and Dewey
Decimal Classification system.
For example, in the title “Textbook of Economics”, we translate the name of
the subject of book, “Economics” into a number or symbols, as listed, in the
classification system which we follow. If the system is Colon Classification,
then the Class number will be X. If the system is Dewey Decimal Classification,
then the Class number will be 330. Further it is important to note that we
translate only the name of the subject matter. We do not translate other words
(not indicating any subject) in the title such as ‘textbook’ or ‘the’ or ‘of’ or
‘introduction’, etc. but only the subject economics. We thus translate the
concept ‘economics’ in whatever language it is represented.
In this Classification Practice Manual, you will learn library classification
according to Colon Classification scheme (CC) and Dewey Decimal
Classification (DDC). We will provide an overview of classification schedules,
steps of classification and examples according to both CC and DDC. Lastly,
practical exercises have been provided to enable you to practice and carry
out classification independently.
2 CERTIFICATE IN LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
,Practical Manual
Notes
SECTION A
COLON CLASSIFICATION (CC)
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SECTION A
Notes
COLON CLASSIFICATION (CC)
INTRODUCTION
Colon classification (CC) is a classification scheme devised by Dr. S. R.
Ranganathan. The first edition of the scheme was brought out in 1933 and
the seventh edition is the latest edition. The 7th edition is not much in use and
the 6th edition is widely used. For this reason, here we will use the 6th edition
of CC, which was first published in 1960.
The Colon Classification (CC), 6th edition is a one –volumed book of about
430 pages. The book has been divided into 3 parts:
Part 1: Rules
Part 2: Schedules
Part 3: Classics and sacred books
The First part briefly describes the important principles, concepts and canons
of classification on which the classification system is based. It is also used with
the rules and examples for constructing the class numbers.
The second part has all the subject schedules. At the end of Part 2, an index is
given for all the isolates listed in various schedules.
The Part 3 comprises the schedules of classical works and sacred books.
NOTATION
Notation refers to the symbols and numbers which have been used in the
scheme of classification for various classes. CC has used mixed notation as
several kinds of symbols have been used.
The different symbols used are given as under:
Sl.No. Types of digits used No. of digits used
1. Indo Arabic Numerals(1-9) 09
2. Roman Alphabets (A to Z) 26
3. Roman alphabets (a-z, excluding i, l, o) 23
4. Greek letters [Δ (delta) and (sigma)] 02
5. Parenthesis () 02
6. Punctuation marks as indicator digits 06
Inverted comma (‘)
Dot (.)
4 CERTIFICATE IN LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
, Practical Manual
Colon (:)
Semi colon (;)
Comma(,)
Hyphen(-)
7. Zero as an indicator digit 01 Notes
8. Arrows 02
Forward arrows→
Backward arrows←
ANALYTICO –SYNTHETIC SCHEME
Colon Classification (CC) is an analytico-synthetic scheme. It does not
enumerate or attempt to enumerate all possible classes in a single schedule as
most schemes do. In an analytico-synthetic classification, subjects are divided
into facets (aspects), and class numbers are synthesized from the classification
schedule. Analytico-synthetic method is much more powerful than enumerated
schemes. The schedule of CC consists of certain standard unit schedules. By
combining the numbers in different unit schedules, class numbers can be
constructed for any subject. The number building in CC involves the following
steps:
1. Analysis of the subjects into facets and transform them into five
fundamental categories, and
2. Synthesis of the facets.
CALL NUMBER
Call Number helps us in locating a required book. One may ascertain the
position of the document in the library and its entry position in the catalogue
with the help of call number.
Call number has three parts:
● Class number
● Book number
● Collection number (this is not essential)
The Class Number specifies the subject of the book. The Book Number
individualizes it. The Class Number of a document is the translation of the
subject dealt in a document from natural language to classificatory language.
In this scheme of classification, the universe of subjects has been divided
broadly into traditional divisions viz. Natural Sciences, the Humanities and
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Social Sciences. The Main Classes of Colon Classification, 6th edition are given
in the table below:
Notes
z Generalia LX Pharmacognosy
1 Universe of Knowledge M Useful Arts
2 Library Science Δ Spiritual Experience and Mysticism
3 Book Science MZ Humanities and Social Sciences
4 Journalism MZA Humanities
A Natural Sciences N Fine Arts
AZ Mathematical Sciences NX Literature and Language
B Mathematics O Literature
BZ Physical Sciences P Linguistics
C Physics Q Religion
D Engineering R Philosophy
E Chemistry S Psychology
F Technology Σ Social Sciences
G Biology T Education
H Geology U Geography
HX Mining V History
I Botany W Political Science
J Agriculture X Economics
K Zoology Y Sociology
KX Animal Husbandry YX Social Work
L Medicine Z Law
FUNDMENTAL CATEGORIES
According to Ranganathan, there are only five fundamental categories viz.
Personality, Matter, Energy, Space and Time, which are popularly known as
PMEST. The fundamental categories are given below:
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