Page 10 - DLIS103_LIBRARY_CLASSIFICATION_AND_CATALOGUING_THEORY

Unit 1: Concept of Library Classification

on the shelves shelf order or arrangement of entries in a catalogue or a bibliography, Notes
notation plays an important role in maintaining the sequence. Hence, some views notation
as an ordering device.
The use of synthesis or number building, make, possible enormous economy in the con-
struction and physical size of the schedule.
Notation with its mnemonic qualities assist the librarians and the readers to remember the
sequence of divisions within a class.
It should assist the grinding of a library, i.e., in the location of documents.
It allows Mechanical reference to be made from any catalogue entry to the materials on the
shelves.
It makes the alphabetical subject’s index possible. For example reference from a term in the
Index such as Agriculture law would not convey to the user the exact location of the
subjects. But a notation (class number) cited alongside the term., (e.g., algebra 512) facili-
tates or helps the user to locate the subjects without any difficulty.
It should reflect the sub-ordination and co-ordination of the subject symbolized. This is
related to the quality of expressiveness of notations.

Self Assessment

Fill in the blanks:
1. Ordinarily classification is process of grouping, ideas or .................... on the basis of certain
qualities.
2. Library classification is a system of coding and .................... library materials.
3. Mining of gold, Chemistry of gold, Biblical study of animals, etc. are examples of ....................
subjects.
4. .................... is an ordered serial of symbols representing terms.

1.8 Qualities of Notation

To perform the above functions effectively and efficiently, the notation used in classification
scheme should possess the following qualities.
(a) Complementary nature of Notation: The nature of notation should be complementary,
notation is not primary; the classificatory one should not be determined by the notation.
The idea plane should determine it. Also the notation system should develop the capabil-
ity to accommodate new classes. The life and death of classification depends on the nota-
tional system it uses.
(b) Universal usability: Once the documents are classified and assigned class numbers, those class
numbers become almost permanent. Also the class numbers are to be used by number of
persons drawn from different background. Therefore, the symbols should be universally used.
(c) Block formation: According to the physiology of eye and the psychology of memory, the
optimum number of digits that can be comfortably picked up in one instalment is there
and maximum six. This finding suggests that in the case of long class numbers, they should
be divided into convenient blocks. The notation system should have the capacity to con-
struct such class numbers.
(d) Avoid synonymous class numbers: Synonymous class number means more than one class
number denoting the same subject. Each subject should be represented by only one class
number. The canon of synonym also demands this. If we assign same class numbers to
more than one specific subject, then the documents of the same specific subject will be
scattered over different places. The notational system should help to achieve synonym free
class numbers.
(e) Avoid Homonymous class numbers: Homonymous class number mean one class number
denoting more than one specific subject. The class number of each specific subject should be

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