Essential Classification

by Broughton, Vanda

• ISBN13: 9781555705077
• ISBN10: 1555705073
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-09-30
• Publisher: Neal Schuman Pub

Summary

Describes a variety of library classification systems, including the Library of Congress, Dewey Decimal Classification, Universal Decimal Classification, and faceted classification.

Author Biography

Vanda Broughton MA DipLib is a Lecturer in Library and Information Studies at the School of Library, Archive and Information Studies, University College London

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	ix
1 Introduction	1	(3)
2 The need for classification	4	(2)
3 First principles of classification	6	(6)
Grouping
ordering
compound subjects
problems of linear order
citation order
distributed relatives
4 The variety of classification: systems and structures	12	(9)
Scientific classifications
taxonomies
tree structures
folk classifications
bibliographic classifications
aspect classifications
5 The classification scheme: internal structure	21	(9)
Grouping of concepts
hierarchy
semantic relationships
syntactic relationships
pre-coordination
6 Types of classification scheme	30	(8)
Enumerative classifications
'top-down' classifications
analytic-synthetic classifications
faceted classifications
'bottom up' classifications
7 Order in the classification scheme	38	(14)
Main classes
phenomena classes
main class order
schedule order and filing order
general-before-special
literary warrant and educational consensus
notation
notational symbols
expressiveness
mnemonics
flexibility and hospitality
8 Content analysis 1: document description	52	(17)
The problem of 'aboutness'
where to look for content
constructing the document description
sought terms
common categories of terms (place, time, form, persons)
ordering the description
9 Content analysis 2: practical constraints	69	(14)
Broad and close classification
specifity and exhaustivity
difficult subjects
biography
primary texts
10 Controlled indexing languages	83	(8)
Natural language indexing and searching
the meaning of words
synonyms and homonyms
sought terms
controlled indexing languages
standards for document description
11 Word-based approaches to retrieval	91	(12)
Subject heading lists
thesauri
alphabetical arrangement
synonymy and related matters
form and structure of subject headings
modern developments in subject indexing
12 Library of Congress Subject Headings I: basic headings	103	(18)
History of LCSH
literary warrant
Cutter's Rules and the form of entry
uniform headings
valid headings
thesaural cross references
selecting headings
multiple-headings
entering headings onto a record
13 Library of Congress Subject Headings 2: structured headings	121	(16)
Topical subdivisions
pattern headings
geographical subdivisions
free-floating subdivisions
name headings
14 Classification scheme application	137	(6)
Appearance of classification schemes
the index
the schedules
classes
captions and headings
schedule layout
scope notes
instructions
15 Library of Congress Classification 1: basic classmark construction	143	(20)
History of LCC
general principles
literary warrant
enumerative classification
alphabetization
notation
practical classification
Cutter numbers
16 Library of Congress Classification 2: use of tables	163	(13)
Tables
content of tables
how tables work
geographical subdivision
form subdivision
subject subdivision
tables for classes using Cutter numbers
tables embedded in the schedules
tables used in combination
17 Dewey Decimal Classification	176	(31)
History DDC
structure of DDC
hierarchy
notation
compound subjects and number building
citation order
preference order
practical classification
using the relative index
first-of-two rule and the rule of three
approximation to the whole
use of tables
standard subdivisions
place and time
persons
adding notations from the main schedules
18 Universal Decimal Classification 1: general properties and basic number building	207	(22)
History of UDC
structure of UDC
an analytico-synthetic classification
notation
symbols
expressiveness
schedule display
main tables
number-building
the colon
the plus sign
the oblique stroke
19 Universal Decimal Classification 2: auxiliary tables	229	(28)
Systematic auxiliary tables
language, form, place, ethnicity, time, materials, persons
special auxiliaries
language and literature
20 Faceted classification	257	(27)
History of facet analysis
building blocks of classification
fundamental categories
arrays
relationships between terms
citation order
schedule order
inversion
21 Managing classification	284	(10)
Management and maintenance of schemes
revision
costs of classification
copy cataloguing
print and electronic format
choosing a classification
general versus special schemes
Glossary	294	(16)
Bibliography and further reading	310	(4)
Index	314