Page 262 - DLIS002_KNOWLEDGE ORGANIZATION CLASSIFICATION AND CATALOGUING THEORY

Unit 14: Canons and Principles for Library Catalogue

Cutter has defined it as “an alphabetic subject catalogue in which the subjects are grouped in Notes
broad classes with numerous alphabetic sub-divisions. It may also include author and title
entries in the same alphabet.”
A catalogue of this kind consists of an alphabetical sequence of mutually exclusive broad subject
headings, under each of which appears the alphabetical sequence of sub-headings. In Dewey
Decimal Classification system, the division of 500, i.e., Natural Sciences in an alphabetical order
would be as follows:

500 – Astronomy and allied sciences
570 – Biology
540 – Chemistry and allied sciences
550 – Earth sciences

551 – Geology
551.41 – Geomorphology
551.49 – Ground water
551.46 – Hydrosphere

551.42 – Island and reefs
From the above example, it is noticed that the alphabetico-classed catalogue brings related
subjects together, but their alphabetical arrangement takes away the filiation of subjects.

Thus, this type of catalogue arrangement must have an alphabetical index of specific subject for
its successful usage.

Self Assessment

State whether the following statements are true or false:

7. In an author catalogue, the entries are under the author’s name and are arranged
alphabetically.
8. The class numbers are obtained by the application of classification system of a library.

9. The dictionary catalogue, which inter-files its author/title headings, specific verbal subject
headings, and connective references in two alphabetical sequences.

14.4 Canons

There are many canons. The following are the canons for arrays of classes:

14.4.1 Canons for Characteristics

131: Canon of Differentiation
Each characteristic used should differentiate, that is, it should give rise to at least two classes.
132: Canon of Concomitance
No two characteristics should be concomitant.
133: Canon of Relevance

Each characteristic should be relevant to the purpose of the classification.

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