Page 68 - DLIS002_KNOWLEDGE ORGANIZATION CLASSIFICATION AND CATALOGUING THEORY

Unit 4: Colon Classification and Dewey Decimal Classification

The Matter facet typically deals with some concrete object, typically inanimate. This includes Notes
basic elements/materials as well as finished products. This category also includes adjectives to
describe inanimate objects.
Energy indicates action and interaction. This could be persons, objects, or any entity acting alone
or with another. This could include conceptual or intellectual entities as well.

The Personality facet indicates the core point of the subject at hand. It is the most “elusive” of the
five, as Ranganathan himself admitted in the 4th edition. In fact, he even admitted that if a
concept could not easily fit into the other four categories then it is probably a Personality facet.
Personality element requires the most intuition, as it is the cataloguer’s gut feeling about what
the most important element of the subject is. In many cases the Personality element is indicated
by a Basic Class number only.
Ranganathan also allowed for the combination of two subjects from entirely different disciplines
within a single Class Number. In this case, the cataloguer added another Personality element
onto the end of the initial (and most important) subject, along with the other relevant facets of
the second subject. (This is the basic idea, although it is complicated by specific rules of order and
number of facets allowed, etc.)

4.1.4 Basic Principles in Colon Classification

Colon Classification

B Mathematics N Fine arts
C Physics O Literature

D Engineering P Linguistics
E Chemistry Q Religion
F Technology R Philosophy
G Biology S Psychology
H Geology T Education

I Botany U Geography
J Agriculture V History
K Zoology W Political science
L Medicine X Economics
M Useful arts Y Sociology
Mysticism & spiritual experience Z Law

Colon Classification: Facets

Citation order of decreasing concreteness: PMEST

P = Personality – the primary facet – things or kinds of things (e.g. “persons” in sociology)
M = Matter – physical materials and abstract properties (e.g. the wood of a table, the table’s
color)

E = Energy – some type of actions (e.g. “exports” in economics, “curriculum” in education)
S = Space – place

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