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Unit 13: Library Classification

Types Notes
There are many standard systems of library classification in use, and many more have been proposed
over the years. However in general, classification systems can be divided into three types depending
on how they are used.
• Universal schemes covering all subjects. Examples include Dewey Decimal Classification,
Universal Decimal Classification and Library of Congress Classification.
• Specific classification schemes for particular subjects or types of materials. Examples include
Iconclass, British Catalogue of Music Classification, and Dickinson classification, or the NLM
Classification for medicine.
• National schemes specially created for certain countries. An example is the Swedish library
classification system, SAB (Sveriges Allmänna Biblioteksförening).
• In terms of functionality, classification systems are often described as enumerative: produce
an alphabetical list of subject headings, assign numbers to each heading in alphabetical order
library classification is the technical process hierarchical: divides subjects hierarchically,
from most general to most specific faceted or analytico-synthetic: divides subjects into
mutually exclusive orthogonal facets.
There are few completely enumerative systems or faceted systems, most systems are a blend but
favouring one type or the other. The most common classification systems, LCC and DDC, are
essentially enumerative, though with some hierarchical and faceted elements (more so for DDC),
especially at the broadest and most general level. The first true faceted system was the Colon
classification of S. R. Ranganathan.

Universal classification systems used in the English-speaking world
• Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC)
• Library of Congress Classification (LCC)
• Bliss Bibliographic Classification (BC)

The above systems are the most common in the English-speaking world

• BISAC Subject Headings: The publishing industry standard for classification that is being
adopted by some libraries.
• Harvard-Yenching Classification: An English classification system for Chinese language ma-
terials.
• V-LIB 1.2 (2008 Vartavan Library Classification for over 700 fields of knowledge, currently
sold under license in the UK by Rosecastle Ltd.

Universal classification systems in other languages
• A system of book classification for Chinese libraries (Liu’s Classification) library classifica-
tion for user.
• New Classification Scheme for Chinese Libraries
• Nippon Decimal Classification (NDC)
• Chinese Library Classification (CLC)
• Korean Decimal Classification (KDC)
• Library-Bibliographic Classification (BBK) from Russia.

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