WEEK 6
CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS
The chief purpose of the a classification system in a library is to
provide a basis for organizing books and materials so that they can
be found quickly and easily by those persons who use the library;
it is also a means of bringing materials on the same subject
together so that they can be used easily and conveniently.
Two major classification systems are:
- Library of Congress Classification System (LCCS)
- Dewey Decimal Classification System (DDC)
Uses
To group materials of the same subject together
Allows easy storage and retrieval of materials
Shows the main subject area of a library
collection.
Uses notation to represent its subject
Notation
= alphabets, numbers and symbols used in a
classification scheme.
2 types of notation
Pure : uses only numbers [0 – 9] or alphabets [A –
Z] e.g. Dewey Decimal Classification Scheme.
Mixed : uses numbers and alphabets –
alphanumeric – e.g. Library of Congress
Classification Scheme, and, symbols [ +,=,/,: ] e.g.
Universal Decimal Classification Scheme
Pure notation
Mix notation
Library of Congress Classification
System (LCCS)
The Library of Congress was founded in 1800. The earliest
classification of books in the library.
The LC system is used in most academic libraries. Books on similar
subjects are grouped together under 20 primary classes, which are
represented by letters of the alphabet.
The LC system combines letters of the alphabet and Arabic
numerals. (Mix – Notation).
Organizes knowledge in 21 broad categories, labeled A – Z.
Alphabets I, O, W, X, Y not in use
Example, PN 6109.9 ( Collection of poetry by women authors)
TK 7800 (electronics)
Example
Q = Science
QE = Geology
LC number can begin with 1, 2 or 3 letters
E = U.S. History
KFH = Law of Hawaii
Mostsubject areas will have call number
beginning with 1 or 2 letters.
Books are arranged on the shelf according to the
classification and within each class, alphabetically by
author. The following examples show the way the call
number looks on the spine of a book and how the books
would be arranged on the shelf:
PN PN PN PN PN PN PN
1 56.5 56.5 86 86 1990.4 1994.3
A86 .C48 .C5 K57 K7 .D5 .U6
W39 W16 V57 B78
LCCS
General Works A Music M
Philosophy, Psychology, Fine Arts N
Religion B Language & Literature P
Archaeology, Genealogy, Science Q
Biography C Medicine R
History: General and Old Agriculture
World D S
History : Americas E-F Technology
Geography, Anthropology G T
Social Sciences H Military Science
U
Political Sciences J
Naval Science V
Law K Bibliography, Library Science Z
Education L
DEWEY DECIMAL
CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (DDC)
• In the Dewey Decimal Classification System , Arabic numerals
are used decimally to signify the various classes of subjects.
• Dewey divided all knowledge , as represented by books and
other materials, into nine classes, which is numbered 100-900.
• Example 621.38 (electronics and communication engineering)
510 (Mathematics).
• Call numbers in DDC use numbers and decimals. This is called
pure notation.
• Most school libraries and public libraries are organized using
DDC.
• The primary classes are represented by numbers.
DDC
000-099 Generalities 500-599 Pure Science
100-199 Philosophy & related Areas 600-699 Technology (Applied Sc.)
200-299 Religion 700-799 The Arts
300-399 The Social Science 800-899 Language and Rhetoric
400-499 Language 900-999 General Geography, History
etc
DDC
000 – Generalities
100 – Philosophy and related areas
200 – Religion
300 – Social Science
400 – Language
500 – Pure Sciences
600 – Technology
700 – Arts
800 – Literature
900 – Geography and History
ADVANTAGES OF USING
CLASSIFICATION SCHEMES
Shelving of books is more consistent. Its classmark will
act as a specific ‘address’.
Retrieval of books is more straightforward. Library users
can look for clear labels on each book instead of the
book’s author and title which might be difficult to read
along the spine.
Browsing the book is made easier.
DISADVANTAGES OF USING
CLASSIFICATION SCHEMES
Not all subjects may be catered for in the scheme.
Users can be confused by what classmarks, represent,
often there is no recognizable link between the subject
and the book.
A book given the wrong classmark and shelved out of its
subject area could be lost forever and of no use to library
user.
