Page 230 - DLIS002_KNOWLEDGE ORGANIZATION CLASSIFICATION AND CATALOGUING THEORY

Unit 12: Library Catalogue Codes

The Italian alphabetical catalogue rule of 1911 together with the ALA rules has established the Notes
basis of the codification of the Vatican rules. The first edition of Vatican Code contained 500
rules relating to the whole field of cataloguing author and title entries, description of works,
subject entry, and filing. The part of the rules relating to the subject heading contains an excellent
treatment of the fundamental principles of subject entry. The second edition appeared in 1939 in
expanded form. It is also claimed as an international code. Next to the Cutter’s rules, this was the
other code that was a complete and comprehensive code covering all the aspects of cataloguing.
With respect to the library, the Vatican Secret Archive is another matter. It contains the documents
concerning the central government of the Catholic Church. It is called “secret” because it is the
private archive of the pontiff. He is its sole owner, establishing its norms and deciding whether
to open it for consultation.

Did u know? Today, it can be consulted through the entire pontificate of Pius XI, meaning
up until 1939.
The next section to be opened, the one dealing with the pontificate of Pius XII, will give free
access up until 1958, but a wide selection of documents from the years of the Second World War
has already been public for some time. Every day, 50-80 scholars from all over the world visit
the secret archive. Its more than two million documents occupy 80 linear kilometres of shelving.

Task Do you think that Vatican Code is an outcome of International co-operation in the
field of cataloguing? If yes give reason.

Self Assessment

State whether the following statements are true or false:
1. The Vatican Code is an outcome of International co-operation in the field of cataloguing.
2. The Italian alphabetical catalogue rule of 1921 together with the ALA rules has established
the basis of the codification of the Vatican rules.
3. Every day, 10-20 scholars from all over the world visit the secret archive.
4. With respect to the library, the Vatican Secret Archive is another matter.

5. The second edition of Vatican Code appeared in 1959 in expanded form.

12.2 Classified Catalogue Code (CCC)

The Classified Catalogue Code (CCC) first published in 1934 as a unique contribution of Dr. S.R.
Ranganathan from India aims at becoming a universal code. It is the first code complete in every
respect for a classified catalogue. The subject approach has been recognized as the dominant one
in CCC that has to be met by a catalogue. The foundation of the code is based on the normative
principles and the canons of cataloguing which Ranganathan evolved in his “Theory of Library
Catalogue”. The code is developed on functional basis.
The classified catalogue code is free from the restriction of language unlike the other codes in
spite of their non-local nature. It takes into account (i) language of the library, (ii) scale of
languages, in which the language of the library comes first and the others come in the descending
sequence of favouredness. The Classified Catalogue Code has established a landmark in the

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