Arun Joseph.SMPhil.D.L.I.S.University of Kerala.

DefinitionsSayers defines library classification

as “the arrangement of books on shelves or description of them in the manner which is most helpful to those who read”. The emphasis

is on usefulness so that the users can locate the document without complication.

According to S.R. Ranganathan, “it is the translation of the name of the subject of a book into a preferred artificial language of ordinal numbers and the individualization of the several books dealing with the same specific subject by means of a further set of ordinal numbers which represents 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 numbers is called its book number. The class number and the book number together constitute the call number of the book.

According to Margaret Mann, classification is “the arranging of things according to likeness and unlikeness. It is the sorting and grouping of things, but in addition classification of books is a knowledge classification with adjustment made necessary by the physical forms of books.”

Purpose1. To separate subjects on the basis of

likeness and unlikeness.2. To make grouping and sub-grouping

of subjects.3. To arrange things in the most

convenient order.4. To make the books available to

every reader.5. To enable the reader to receive his

book.

6. To arrange the books in classified order.

7. To retrieve the information whenever needed.

8. To make available the whole library stock to readers by publisher, date of publication, title, by author or by subjects.

Function1) Arrange books and other material

in helpful sequence2) Ensure speedy location3) Replacement of replacement of

books for next user4) Provides reader’s approach to

subsidiary subjects by analysing entries in the classified catalogue

5) Reveals the strength and weakness of the stock of books

6) Enables the librarian to built up a balanced collection

7) Helps the systematic arrangement8) Helps the librarian to put new

books with the related books when added in library

9) Individualises each subject within its relevant class

10)Provides means by which the stock of the books and other material may be clearly and effectively guided

11)Facilitates display of books/documents and withdrawal of certain books from the main stock

12)Makes up his collection for different centres or branches

13)Helps in stock verification by shelf list

14)Helps the librarian to recover the cost of books

15) Facilitates the complication of various kinds of statistics and reflects the demands on various sections of the stock

16)It is a basis of recording issue books in lending counter

17)Helps in complication of bibliographies, categories

18)Facilitates the systematic filing of correspondence

19)It is time-saving device20)It is mechanical device21)Helps to provide “the right book to

the right man” and fulfill the law “every book find its readers”

Qualities of a good classification scheme

Helpful arrangementThe collections in

library or entries in a bibliography can be arranged in a helpful sequence on the basis of the interrelationship between the documents.

HospitalityThe capability of a

classification scheme to accommodate new classes in between the existing classes is known as hospitality. The numbering system or notation adopted should be capable of infinite hospitality.

Integrity of NotationThe basis system of

notation adopted in a classification scheme should not change frequently.

The consistent use of the notation system without basic changes is what is known as integrity of notation.

Frequent RevisionsA classification scheme

intended for a dynamic universe like the universe of subjects can be effective only if it has a perfect plan for frequent revisions incorporating new topics and correcting wrong allocations made earlier.

Eg: DDC scheme is being revised every six years.

Simple to useOne of the main

attributes for the success of a classification scheme is its simplicity.

The numbers worked out should be simple with natural ordinal value so that the users will find it easy to use.

Different Schemes of Classification

Based on the arrangement there are three main types of classification systems:

i) Enumerative: Produce an alphabetical list of subject headings; assign numbers to each heading in alphabetical order. The most common classification systems, LC and DDC, are essentially enumerative, though with some

hierarchical and faceted elements, especially at the broadest and most general level.

ii) Hierarchical: Divides subjects hierarchically, from general to specific.

iii) Faceted or analytico synthetic:  Divides subjects into mutually exclusive orthogonal facets. The first true faceted

system was the Colon  classification of S. R.

Ranganathan.

iv) Specialist Classification: Specialist classification

systems have been developed for particular subject areas, and some specialist libraries develop their own classification system that emphasizes those areas they specialize in. An example is the Medical Subject Headings devised by the US National Library of Medicine (NLM). Another example is the specialist classification system for art and iconography. There are also emerging metadata standards that are being developed for web resources, digital images, and other specialized materials.