Page 34 - DLIS002_KNOWLEDGE ORGANIZATION CLASSIFICATION AND CATALOGUING THEORY

Unit 2: Theory of Subjects

(vii) A segment is capable of splitting into numerous subdivisions, and each subdivision into Notes
further subdivisions, and so on whose number cannot be predicted in advance.
(viii) Each segment is capable of sharing a portion of its content without losing the same. It is
analogous to human beings’ sharing of knowledge.
(ix) Each segment passes through the stages of creation (sristi), stability (shtiti), and decay or
destruction (laya).
(x) A segment can appear at any part of the UoK as cloud forms in the sky the moment the
situation becomes ripe for the same. The birth of a segment indicates the birth of a subject.

2.2.2 Types of Segments

Singular Segment

There are types of singular segments: unifocal, bifocal and multifocal. A unifocal segment is
devoted to a single subject like physics. A bifocal segment deals with parts of two subjects,
e.g. bioengineering. A multifocal segment is formed by drawing materials from several subjects,
e.g. medical biochemistry.

Binary Segments

Like binary stars there are binary segments as well. Both harbour independent subjects that are
closely linked. Examples: Science and technology, language and literature, electricity and
magnetism, etc.

Books may appear on binary segments depicting various aspects including general description,
similarities, difference, comparison, influence, bias, etc. Take for example the two planets Jupiter
and Saturn. On these planets the following types of books are possible:
(a) Jupiter and Saturn – a general description

(b) Similarities between Jupiter and Saturn
(c) Differences between Jupiter and Saturn
(d) Jupiter and Saturn – a comparison (describing both similarities and difference)

(e) Influence of Jupiter on Saturn
There are books which betray clear bias, for example – children’s encyclopaedia, weaving for
ladies, mathematics for engineers and so on.
Cluster Segments

In the universe, star clusters are but common. The same is the case with the UoK. Here also
several segments are found together harbouring different subjects – all maintaining their own
identities. Examples: Physical sciences, biosciences, etc.

Cyclopaedic Segment

This type of segment draws material from all or many segments to form a single segment as we
find in general encyclopaedias, general periodicals, books on general knowledge, etc.

LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY 29