Page 34 - DLIS103_LIBRARY_CLASSIFICATION_AND_CATALOGUING_THEORY

Unit 3: Role of CRG, DRTC and ISKO

need for faceted classification as the basis of all methods of information retrieval’ in 1955. From Notes
1952 to 1960 members of CRG turned their attention to the design of special schemes of library
classification. CRG was of the opinion that no general classification existed which was suitable for
computer retrieval. Therefore it was decided to develop a general classification scheme in association
with the MARC Project for an automated retrieval system. Since the 1970s, CRG has been actively
engaged in the following areas:
1. Revision of Bibliographic Classification of I LE. Bliss, by 3. Mills;
2. Formulation of Broad System of Ordering (BSO);
3. Classification Scheme on LIS; and
4. PRECIS
(a) Stage I-Special Schemes: Till 1950s the individual classification lists dominated the
library classification scenario. However, Bibliographic Classification of Bliss and
Colon Classification of Ranganathan were viewed by the international scholars as a
mere theoretical rhetorics and interesting curiosities. To them, these schemes could
in no way be solutions for problems created by the limited notational system and
inherited limitations of the existing schemes in use like DOC and LC, for grappling
the vast plethora of the published literature. In this backdrop, the Classification
Research Group (CRG), London, came into existence in 1952 with only a dozen of
active members who mainly were librarians of special libraries fully conversant
with the difficulties and travails in the use of existing general classification schemes.
The long experience in the use of these schemes became the focal point for CRG to
design the special scheme to meet the demands of modern information users. Conse-
quently, the members of the CRG produced innumerable schemes based on some
original ideas and techniques which influenced the shape and direction of the trend
of modern classificatory research. The Group members also utilized terms and tech-
niques of Colon Classification, such as Facet and Facet Analysis.
(b) Stage II-General Classification Scheme: The concept of special schemes could not
yield the desired results. The classificatory problems remained the same as were
initially during Stage I. Again the solace was sought in the construction of a New
General Scheme. The desirability of a new general classification was, therefore, envis-
aged in the two conferences held in England in 1957-Dorking Conference; and Refer-
ence and Special Libraries Section Conference. In 1962, NATO report Increasing the
Effectiveness of Western Science appeared which also recommended a new scheme of
classification for science and technology. NATO Science Foundation awarded a grant
of £ 5,000 to the Library Association to study the project. Library Association entrusted
this task to CRG. In 1963 CRG’s plan for research into a new general classification was
formally launched. Two research assistants-Mrs Helen Tomlinson 1964-67 and Derek
Austin 1967-68 was appointed to work on this project. The result of the project was
addition of few new terms and concepts in the classificatory terminology-such as
Artefacts-man-made or processed entities; Mantefacts—Entities constructed by human
mind and the theory of integrative levels for the arrangement of the entities.

3.2 Documentation Research and Training Centre (DRTC)

DRTC was established in Bangalore in 1962 by S.R. Ranganathan. It actively promoted different
levels of research in library classification. These are:
1. Development research to develop depth schedules;
2. Fundamental research to develop postulates and principles; and
3. Systematic testing of depth schedules developed by faculty and alumni of DRTC. It has
been organising annual seminars on thrust areas of Library Classification and Information
Science, conducting short termcourses and workshops. It is bringing out, in collaboration
with Sarada Ranganathan Endowment for Library Science a quarterly journal “Library
Science with Slant to Documentation and Information Studies” (1964).

Did u know? The DRTC Research Cell started conducting experiments on the use of electronic
machinery in document finding starting from May 1968.

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