Page 7 - DLIS002_KNOWLEDGE ORGANIZATION CLASSIFICATION AND CATALOGUING THEORY

Knowledge Organization: Classification and Cataloguing Theory

Notes word classis. In the ancient Rome, the term classis was used to refer to a group of persons
possessing certain qualities in common as well as belonging to the same class.

1.1 Definitions of Classification

Classification is the process of sorting of entities of a universe into sub-aggregate based on
likeness and unlikeness. It is also a process of division of the entities of a universe. Classification
is arranging the groups in a definite sequence. Information retrieval may involve arranging the
books or papers themselves as well as the terms by which they may be retrieved. Both books
and terms may be arranged by any principle (author, title, date, language, subject, size, etc.), but
the most popular, useful, and difficult principle is subject. If you can retrieve information by
subject, you can retrieve by anything.

Subjects can be arranged either by similarity of concept or alphabetically. If they are arranged
by concept, like a detailed table of contents or the Dewey Decimal System, they make up a
classification scheme. If they are arranged alphabetically, like the Yellow Pages or the index to
a book, then they make up either a controlled-vocabulary list of subject headings, or a keyword
list.
Classifications, which group similar topics together and have an outline format, are intended in
their broad outline to cover the overall subject field completely. The number and kind of
categories they provide within that outline is not fixed, however. New categories can be added
and modified as new types of material come into the collection. Classifications are usually used
for arranging the material itself; log or complex classification schemes may be indexed to make
them easier to use.
A library classification is a system of coding, assorting and organizing documents, library
materials or any information (books, serials, audio-visual materials, computer
files, maps, manuscripts, realia) according to their subject and allocating a call number
(clarification needed) to that information resource. Bibliographic classification systems group
entities together that are relevant the same subject, typically arranged in a hierarchical tree
structure (like classification systems used in biology). A different kind of classification system,
called a faceted classification system, is also widely used which allows the assignment of multiple
classifications to an object, enabling the classifications to be ordered in multiple ways.

To understand the meaning of classification let us study a few definitions of classification given
by some specialists:

1. Margaret Mann says, Classification is the act of arranging things according to their likeness
and unlikeness. She further says, It is a sorting or grouping of things.

2. According to Richardson, Classification is putting together like things.
3. Berwick Sayers defines library Classification as the arrangement of books on shelves or
description of them, in a manner which is the most useful to those who read.
4. New Encyclopaedia Britannica defines library classification as a system of arrangement
adopted by a library to enable patrons to find its material quickly and easily.
From these definitions it becomes clear that the arrangement of documents in a systematic way
is called classification. In library classification we deal with documents with the sole purpose of
arranging them in the most helpful and permanent sequence. Library classification thus aims at
providing formal access to documents.

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