Page 59 - DLIS103_LIBRARY_CLASSIFICATION_AND_CATALOGUING_THEORY

Library Classification and Cataloguing Theory

Notes The classified catalogue should be composed of three separate parts or files, although strictly
speaking the subject file or the classified file is in itself the classified catalogue proper. The three
parts are:
(a) Subject of classified file or classified catalogue proper. It is usually arranged according to
classification scheme followed in the library. The arrangement of entries is determined by
the call number of the books or the notation marked in the catalogue entry, both for main
entries and added entries.
(b) Author-title files or alphabetical author index. The index entries are prepared under the
names of the authors or the titles as the case may be and arranged in the alphabetical order.
Every entry should bear the call number of the book to locate the main entry.
(c) Subject file or alphabetical subject index. The index entries are made under specific subject
heading sin natural verbal language and arranged in alphabetical order.

Advantages

(i) The main entries are arranged systematically and logically.
(ii) The respective fields of subjects can be seen in the catalogue, because the subjects are
arranged one after another and the allied and related subjects are placed in close proximity.
(iii) The forms of literature are arranged in one place.
(iv) It has both arrangements, classified in the main file or the classified file, and alphabetical
in the author index and subject index.
(v) It is very helpful to subject approach.

Disadvantages
(i) Readers may have psychological aversion to this kind of catalogue considering its compli-
cated character.
(ii) It will take more time to find a particular entry in a large library.
(iii) It does not supplement the order of arrangement of books on the shelves.
(iv) Subjects not enumerated in the classification scheme may not be available easily in the
catalogue.

2. Dictionary Catalogue
The catalogue entries are arranged under the headings that consist of author, subject, title, services
etc. According to CCC a dictionary catalogue is “a catalogue which all the entries are word
entries”. This is usable as a dictionary.
Advantages

(i) Easy for consultation.
(ii) The subject headings can be assigned in accordance with reader’s terminology.
(iii) Specific subject headings provide such reference.
(iv) It provides all possible ways of readers approach.

Limitations

(i) Related topics cannot be brought together.
(ii) The reference and cross references confuse the readers.
(iii) This creates complexity as the catalogue glows.

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