Page 39 - DLIS103_LIBRARY_CLASSIFICATION_AND_CATALOGUING_THEORY

Library Classification and Cataloguing Theory

Notes 4.1 Canons of Ranganathan Theory

Ranganathan provided a completely new direction to the concept of classification originally
formulated by Sayers. Ranganathan formulated 43 canons and grouped them into three planes of
work.
(a) Canons for Idea Plane (15).
(b) Canons for Verbal Plane (4).
(c) Canons for Notational Plane (24).
These are in total conformity with his Basic Laws and Laws of Library Science. These are normally
invoked in the design of a scheme of library classification. Let us now discuss briefly these three
groups of canons.
(a) Canons for Idea Plane: The fifteen canons for Idea Plane are further grouped into
(i) Canons for Characteristics
(ii) Canons for Succession of Characteristics
(iii) Canons for Array
(iv) Canons for Chain
(v) Canons for Filiatory Sequence
The four canons for characteristics deal with the process of division of knowledge. The characteristics
selected for division should be easily differentiated, ascertainable, relevant and permanent. The
three canons for succession of characteristics in the process of division of knowledge deal with the
application of more than one characteristic and the sequence in which these characteristics are to
be applied. The four canons for array (coordinate classes) state that the classes in an array should
be collectively exhaustive and mutually exclusive and the sequence among them should be helpful
and consistent. The two canons for chain (subordinate classes) deal with the process of division of
knowledge which should proceed from general to specific and it should be properly regulated.
The two canons for foliature sequence state that a scheme of library classification should clearly
identify both coordinate and subordinate classes and they should be arranged among themselves
according to their mutual affiliation.
(b) Canons for Verbal Plane (4): The four canons for Verbal Plane deal with the language and
terminology aspects in a scheme of classification. The terminology used in the scheme
should clearly indicate the context in which a particular term has been used and what
aspects it comprehends. The terms used to denote concepts should be current and non-
critical.
The four canons are:
(i) Canon of Context
(ii) Canon of Enumeration
(iii) Canon of Currency
(iv) Canon of Reticence
(c) Canons for Notational Plane. These have been further grouped into:
(i) Basic Canons
(ii) Mnemonics
(iii) Growing Universe
(iv) Book Classification
Notation means a system of ordinal symbols representing classes in a scheme of library
classification. The basic canons, which are twelve in number, deal with the need for the removal of
homonyms and synonyms in class numbers. The notation, according to these canons, should
reflect hierarchy of classes. The base of the notation may be mixed or pure. However, the basic
canons discuss the relative capacity of each of these two types. The notation may be faceted or non-
faceted. The canons nevertheless deal with the relative advantages of both kinds. The class number
should be co-extensive or non coextensive. The implications of these two varieties are also explained
through these canons.

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