Page 264 - DLIS002_KNOWLEDGE ORGANIZATION CLASSIFICATION AND CATALOGUING THEORY

Unit 14: Canons and Principles for Library Catalogue

162: Canon for Co-ordinate Classes Notes
Among the classes in an array, no class with less affinity should come between two classes with
greater affinity.

14.4.5 Canons for Terminology

171: Canon of Currency
Each of the terms used to denote the classes in a scheme of classification must be the one
currently accepted by those specialising in the universe to which the scheme is applicable.

172: Canon of Reticence
The terms used to denote the classes in a scheme of classification should not be critical.
173: Canon of Enumeration
The denotation of each term in a scheme of classification should be decided in the light of the
classes enumerated in the various chains (lower links) having the class denoted by the term as
their common first link.

174: Canon of Context
The denotation of each term in a scheme of classification should be decided in the light of the
different classes of lower order (upper links) belonging to the same primary chain as the class
denoted by the term.

14.4.6 Canons for Notation

1881: Canon of Relativity
The length of a class number in a scheme of classification should be proportional to the order of
the intension of the class it represents.
1882: Canon of Expressiveness
A class number should be expressive of the relevant characteristics of the class represented by it.

1883: Canon of Mixed Notation
The notation of a scheme of classification should be mixed.

14.4.7 Special Canons for Knowledge Classification

221: Canon of Hospitality in Array
The construction of a class number should admit of an infinite number of new co-ordinate class
numbers being added to an array without disturbing the existing class numbers in any way.
231: Canon of Hospitality in Chain
The construction of a new class number should admit of infinity of new class numbers being
added at the end of its chain without disturbing any of the existing class numbers in any way.

241: General Canon of Mnemonics
The digit or digits used to represent a specified concept in a class number should be the same in
all class numbers having the concept represented in them, provided that insistence on such
consistent representation does not violate more important requirements.

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