Page 11 - DLIS103_LIBRARY_CLASSIFICATION_AND_CATALOGUING_THEORY

Library Classification and Cataloguing Theory

Notes unique. Class number already assigned to one specific subject should not be assigned to
another subject again. The avoidance of homonymous class number is governed by the
canon of homonyms.
(f) Brevity: Brevity is a desirable quality as it aids the library staff in recording the number at
various places and the user to remember it because of the growing complexity of subjects’
treatment in documents notations nowadays tends to be longer. However, brevity is
achieved to a certain extend by the judicious use of synthetic features in notations.
(g) Expressiveness: The notation that expresses the structure of the scheme is known as expres-
sive, hierarchical or structural. The expressiveness of the notation helps the user to find his
way up in a systematic order in the structure of the scheme. In other words, notation
performs an additional function of expressing sub-ordination and co-ordination of the
subject’s symbolished. However, an expressive notation ceases to be brief, as each step in
division is expressed by an additional digit.
(h) Synthesis: It has been suggested that a notation should posses the quality of synthesis. By
synthesis is meant number building by taking components of the number from different
part of the schedule. Both faceted and enumerative schemes synthesis components from
different part into compound numbers. Synthesis, however, is more pronounced in facet
schemes.

Task Define some functions and qualities of notation.

1.9 Needs of Notation

Notation is group of symbols or codes, which may be used to sort or locate concepts in a systematic
order and to display how concepts have been structured and grouped. The Dewey Decimal
Classification (DDC) is a very good example for notation. The DDC was developed by Melvil
Dewey back in 1876 and it is world’s most widely used library classification system, it attempts to
organize all knowledge into ten main classes. Moreover, DDC’s cleverness is in choosing decimals
for its categories.
At an early stage, traditional library used faceted classification technique in categorizing books,
papers and articles. In a faceted classification, subjects are divided into facets (aspects), and class
numbers are created from the classifications (Wikipedia). Here is the example for faceted
classification scheme:
Manufacturer (first digit)
1 = MasterFoods
2 = Heinz
Type (second digit)
1 = Tinned
2 = Condensed
3 = Powdered
Size (third digit)
1 = Cup a soup
2 = Bottle
Flavor (fourth digit)
1 = Tomato
2 = Minestrone
3 = Chicken

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