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Unit 2: Library Classification

(D) Index to the Introduction and Glossary. Notes
(E) Manual: A guide to the use of the DDC that is made up primarily of extended discussions of
problem areas in the application of the DDC. Information in the Manual is arranged by the
numbers in the tables and schedules.
(F) Tables: Six numbered tables of notation that can be added to class numbers to provide greater
specificity.
(G) Lists that compare Editions 21 and 22: Relocations and Discontinuations; Reused Numbers.
Volume 2
(H) DDC Summaries: The top three levels of the DDC.
(I) Schedules: The organization of knowledge from 000–599.
Volume 3
(J) Schedules: The organization of knowledge from 600–999.
Volume 4
(K) Relative Index: An alphabetical list of subjects with the disciplines in which they are treated sub
arranged alphabetically under each entry.

Entries

Entries in the schedules and tables are composed of a DDC number in the number column (the
column at the left margin), a heading describing the class that the number represents, and often one
or more notes. All entries (numbers, headings, and notes) should be read in the context of the
hierarchy.
In the print version of the DDC, the first three digits of schedule numbers (main classes, divisions,
sections) appear only once in the number column, when first used. They are repeated at the top of
each page where their subdivisions continue. Subordinate numbers appear in the number column,
beginning with a decimal point, with the initial three digits understood.
Some numbers in the schedules and tables are enclosed in parentheses or square brackets. Numbers
and notes in parentheses provide options to standard practice. Numbers in square brackets represent
topics that have been relocated or discontinued, or are unassigned. Square brackets are also used
for standard subdivision concepts that are represented in another location. Numbers in square
brackets are never used.
Number Building

Only a fraction of potential DDC numbers are included in the schedules. It is often necessary to
build or synthesize a number that is not specifically listed in the schedules. Such built numbers
allow for greater depth of content analysis. There are four sources of notation for building numbers:
(A) Table 2.1 Standard Sub-divisions; (B) Tables 2.2–2.4; (C) other parts of the schedules; and (D) add
tables in the schedules.
Number building is initiated only upon instructions in the schedules (except for the addition of
standard subdivisions, which may take place anywhere unless there is an instruction to the contrary).
Number building begins with a base number (always stated in the instruction note) to which another
number is added.

2.5 Universal Decimal Classification

The Universal Decimal Classification is a system of library classification developed by the Belgian
bibliographers Paul Otlet and Henri La Fontaine at the end of the 19th century. It is based on the

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