Session 11: Subject Analysis
through Classification
• Dewey Decimal classification
organization & principles
• Library of Congress classification
organization & principles
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We’ve talked about classification by subject with words—now we’ll talk about putting
those concepts into 2 different number classification systems. Remember, you can
assign enough/many subject “words” but only a single shelving subject “number.”
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How Do Books Get Organized on
the Shelf?
That’s the job of classification numbers
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Let’s Look at Dewey First
This is going to be a little hard to do
without the DDC books here.
How many of you use Dewey? Are you
familiar with the DDC schedules?
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Then Let’s
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What you might find on some
Dewey shelves ☺
See any problems?
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Remember, digits after the decimal are “decimal”—they act like any other decimal
number. If you’re not quite sure when one number should come before another,
extend the digits with 0’s until the number of digits to the right of the decimal is the
same—then compare answers. For instance, .5 extends to .500; when compared to
.512, it’s smaller, so 591.5 shelves before 591.512.
Also, 586 isn’t correct for birds!
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Plus the 000’s for generalities
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An outline of the 10 main disciplines & some of the major subjects included
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Characteristics of Dewey
• 4 v.: tables (1), schedules (2-3), index
(4)
• Note manual (1) & intro (1)
• 10 classes = decimal basis
• Hierarchical, from general to specific
• Adding number segments adds meaning
& specificity
• Summaries & carets [
< ]in margins
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Some specific physical characteristics to note
One of the nicest things about Dewey is that you can make your numbers as
specific or as general as meets your needs.
Abridged Dewey, in 1 vol., contains only 4 tables & much abbreviated index,
schedules, & resulting classification numbers.
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Basic Premise of Dewey
according to Arlene Taylor
• No one class for any given subject
• Primary arrangement is by discipline
• Any specific topic may appear in any number
of disciplines
• Various aspects of such a topic are usually
brought together in the relative index
• Base classification number on discipline for
which work was intended
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Point #3 is true--true—true! There’re always several good call #’s to choose among
☺
If it’s talking about getting a job from the point of view of training, or the job market,
or writing the resume--that’s where you should put the item
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Organization of the Index
•
•
•
•
Cross references
“T” numbers (tables)
Spacing of long numbers
Direction to different DDC numbers for
different aspects of a topic
• Some “built” numbers (which include
bicycles & adopted children)
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Index is very imp’t pt. of DDC. It’s also the 1st place you begin a search for the
“right” number. We’ll look at a printout next, but here are some imp’t things to note
about it.
Built numbers are those in the index that are built according to directions in the
schedules
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Dewey’s Index
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So, let’s look at the index
Talk about the T numbers – have to do with Table 2 – they start with hyphens
because they are add-ons
Note the different aspects acknowledged in Questionnaires
Note the digit spaces in T numbers *&* in schedule numbers
Note that, even with several-digit numbers, T numbers don’t include decimals.
There’s no telling at just what point they’ll be added to a “base number” &, therefore,
where the decimal will need to be.
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Some DDC Class Numbers
Pertaining to the Family
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
173
241.63
296.4
304.666
306.8
362.82
392.3
616.89156
796.0191
929.2
Ethics of family relationships
Christian family ethics
Religious family rites, etc.
Family planning
Marriage and family
Families with specific problems
Dwelling places
Family psychotherapy
Sports for families
Family histories
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Look at all the disciplines that relate—so to speak!
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Classification Number Structure
• Most:
– Discipline (0-9)
subject subdivision
geographic &/time period
form of
presentation (T1)
641.5/942/
641.5/942/05
• Literature and language:
– Discipline
original language
form
period of composition
851./1
• Generalities (dictionaries,
encyclopedias, library science):
– Form
language or place
038./81
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This is the decimal aspect of Dewey—getting more specific with additional
segments.
641.594205 = periodical about cookery in Great Britain
851.1 = Italian poetry of the early period
038.81 = Danish general encyclopedia
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Some Important Ways to
Understand DDC
• Read summaries throughout schedules,
especially 800 & 810; T3 & T3A
• Note references to Manual
• Read scope notes
• Concepts: base numbers, built numbers,
period numbers, segmentation,
footnotes
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Scope notes are often marked with “carets” in the margin—something to watch for.
You only go to the manual when directed to, but that’s where you’ll find comparisons
between or among various choices of numbers—pros & cons. Hierarchy tables help
you decide which segment should come first, sometimes.
Definitions on next screens
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Some Definitions
• Base number = number you add to, when
directed by schedule or when adding from
tables
• Built number = number not directly available
in schedule, but already “built” for you in the
index
• Period number = segment sometimes available
to be added, indicating time period
• Segmentation = logical break points to make a
classification number shorter; indicated by
“/” in OCLC & by “ ’ ” in CIP
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Bicycles in DDC Index
(Built Number)
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WebDewey
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Base Number Directions
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Tables: General Info
• T1 = standard subdivisions, -01-09
– Use for all classes
• T2 = geographic table, -1-9
– Use when told to, or
– Use after standard subdivision, -09
• T3 = literatures, 3A, B, C
– Use with base number of asterisked class
numbers, 810-890
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You’re never told to go to T1, so you need to be very familiar with the possibilities so
you can apply it whenever appropriate.
Concepts that often have to do with form
Most of the other tables have stringent rules for application.
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Tables: General Info, cont’d
• T4 = individual languages (analysis of)
– Use with base number of asterisked class
numbers, 420-490
• T5 = racial, ethnic, national aspects
– Use when told to, or
– Use after standard subdivision, -089
• T6 = languages (items in other langs.)
– Use when told to
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Table 1
382.41/0973/01
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Table 1 can be used with almost any schedule number. Learn what it’s good for—
you’ll never get directed to it—you just have to keep its concepts in mind. Note the
2-digit summary numbers; then they get added to for more specificity, such as -011.
All begin with hyphens because these will only be tacked on to another number
Note the “add to base number” instructions. They always include an example of a
number built using the instructions, too. Note segmentation in built number.
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Some Oddities to Note
• T1 “explanations” at various spots:
– 501
[no note or explanation]
– 510.1
[no note or explanation]
– 658.001 [in summary + examples]
– 025.001 [in note + summary]
Terminal 0’s at main class (600) or
division (680) act as space fillers
unless otherwise noted
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You also need to become familiar with just how it gets applied to various schedule
numbers—the directions differ throughout DDC. Sometimes you get explicit
directions—perhaps more than one way. Other times, you extrapolate its
application from examples, like at 501.
The form is the least important part of the number, so sometimes you can’t go
straight to table 1 and add the number because they may have used that number
already.
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Note: no summary; no note about T1 application—only this example, from which
you extrapolate the other T1 applications—503 would be dictionaries/encyclopedias
about natural history/mathematics
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WebDewey, with Directions
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No summary here, either, but clear indication of just where T1 fits in at 025
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Dewey Call Number Structure
• [Location info]
• *Classification number
• Author notation or cutter
+ work mark maybe
• Date
• [Vol. no.]
• [Copy no.]
REF
026.5
D56i
1988
v. 3
c. 2
• * decimal point between 3rd & 4th digits
• [ ] = optional components
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Explain about the work mark
Author notation could just be the first three letters of the author’s last name instead
of an LC cutter
Volume and copy no. are optional. Copy number isn’t used very much any more
because most use barcodes to distinguish between copies. Dewey libraries often
don’t include publication date in call #, either.
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Steps to Follow When Assigning
Dewey Call Numbers
• Use index for subject & possible built
numbers
• ALWAYS look up index number in
schedules for further direction/
explanation
• Use tables to add to number, if
directed or desired
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Always remember T1. You can add concepts of form, class of person, geographic,
etc., to almost any call number. For large collections, this adds specificity and
organization. It’s part of what is so neat about DDC—you can be very basic in parts
of your collection, but very expansive in parts that require lots of differentiation.
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Some Don’ts
• Don’t combine more than one standard
subdivision (T1) unless specifically told
to
• Follow precedence tables when doing so
• Don’t add standard subdivision, if
redundant, e.g., adding -09+ to 973
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Clues to Look for in MARC
Bibs for DDC Currency
• Fixed field “entered date”
• Fixed field “desc”—rules applied
– Always look for “a” [AACR2 + ISBD]
• ISBD punctuation or not
• 040—Who created record?
– Usually prefer DLC [Library of Congress]
• 082 or 092 $2—DDC edition used
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You also want to think about how something fits in your collection.
Resumes can legit go in three different places – would want to just pick one –
should have a local practice.
Class numbers from older editions might very well have changed completely, due to
DDC’s habit of revising definitions of whole sections of numbers by “Phoenix”
changes.
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DDC is available in complete or abridged editions + in WebDewey thru OCLC
Connexion.
If older ed. shows, know that ea. edition has chart of changed numbers.
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Now that you know all about
Dewey ☺, we’ll look at LCC
How many of you use Library of Congress
classification?
Are you familiar with the schedules?
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A - General works
B - Philosophy
C - Auxiliary sciences of history
D - History (general)
E-F - History (Americas)
G - Geography
H - Social sciences
J - Political science
K - Law
L - Education M - Music
N - Visual arts
P - Language and literature
Q - Science
R - Medicine
S - Agriculture
T - Technology
U - Military science
V - Naval science
Z - Bibliography; library science
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Good example of not being able to guess where LC puts a subject: Can you guess
where sports would be?
[answer = GV—in the geography schedule ☺]
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Library of Congress
Classification
•
•
•
•
21 classes in ~40 separate schedules
Each has own index--no cumulative
All classes except E-F have subclasses
Kept current with additions & changes,
new schedules, reprint/cumulative/
revised editions
• Main entry notation: LCC cutters
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The answer to finding an appropriate number with “no cumulative index” is
sometimes LCSH. Don’t depend on it, but use any call numbers found in LCSH as
starting points. Also, you can browse subject headings in a catalog—yours, OCLC,
LC—for call # ideas.
LCC is available in print--all those separate vols.--& also online in ClassWeb.
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• Many gaps for future expansion
• Not consistently hierarchical
• LC can add schedule cutters for specific
subjects, for expansion
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These are some of the differences between DDC & LCC.
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How LCC Might Appear
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Spine label display differs among libraries. Spine above could be displayed as
LB2396 on the top line, rather than splitting the letters from the first numbers.
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• Read call numbers line by line
• LB
Read the first line in alphabetical order:
A, B, BF, C, D... L, LA, LB, LC, M, ML...
• 2395
Read the second line as a whole number:
1, 2, 3, 45, 100, 101.5, 1000, 2000, 2430...
• .C65
The third line is a combination of a letter and
numbers. Read the letter alphabetically. Read
the number as a decimal, e.g.:
.C65 = .65 .C724 = .724
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These decimal numbers are read just like numbers to the right of the decimal in
DDC—extend with 0’s if in doubt as to order.
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• Some call numbers have more than one
combination letter-number line
• 1991
The last line is the year the book was
published. Read in chronological order:
1985, 1991, 1992...
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Some call numbers have topical cutters *from the schedule*, as well as main entry
cutters from the piece in hand.
Publication dates are always included in LCC monograph numbers
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• Here is a shelf of books with the call
number order explained
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For Majority of Subjects
• Form, period, geographical, & topical
subdivisions are indicated by different
classification numbers in schedules, with few
additional tables
• Exceptions: Law (K), Social Sciences (H),
Literature (P), Fine Arts (N)
Other subjects may have small tables included
near topic, with footnoted directions
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These are generalities, but …
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Frequently Used Tables
•
•
•
•
•
•
Regions & countries in 1 alphabet
States & Canadian provinces
Author tables [P table schedule]
Form subdivisions [K schedule]
Biography table
Translation/edition table
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These aren’t found in every vol. “H” has most. A book like Chan’s on LCC includes
them all.
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Common Directions
Directions for “By region or country, AZ”, e.g., Witchcraft in Alabama
BF1577
.A2
S5
1961
Witchcraft, by region or country, A-Z
Alabama
main entry cutter
publication date
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Refer to region/country cutter table *when told to do so.* Otherwise, geographic
aspects can’t be added to a call number. Cutter breakdowns sometimes allow for
form distinction within a single classification number; use only when given.
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Cutter breakdown in some schedules,
e.g., HD9213, Salt industry:
.A1A-Z Periodicals, societies, etc.; will have 2
cutters
.A2A-Z General works; will have single cutter
HD9213.A1 T3 1999 Periodical about Taiwan’s salt
industry, with title beginning with T
HD9213.J6 2000
Jones
Book about salt industry, by
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LCC Call Number Structure
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
[Location info]
Classification number
Possible topical cutter
Main entry cutter [Ghastly]
Date
[Vol. no.]
[Copy no.]
REF
HD8039
.P3
G63
1988
v. 3
c. 2
[ ] = optional components
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Some libraries might type above spine label with HD on single line; 8039 on the next
line.
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DDC vs. LCC
• Biography
– DDC: B, 920, 92, -092
– LCC: particular subset of most subject
categories
• Fiction
– DDC: 823, Fic/SF/X, etc.
– LCC: P
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Biographies usually go with the subject in LCC not in a separate biography area
unless it is a collective biography.
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DDC vs. LCC
• Bibliography
– DDC: 016+ or -016 [016.796 or 796.016]
– LCC: Z or subject category subset
• History
– DDC: 9+
– LCC: D, E-F, etc.
• Geography
– DDC: 91+
– LCC: D, E-F, etc. COMBINED with
History
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DDC vs. LCC
• DDC = additional segments are tacked
on to base number
• LCC = tables used to locate desired
number within range of numbers;
appropriate number is arithmetically
added to base number
• DDC call numbers use various author
notations
• LCC call numbers use LC’s cutter chart
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KF schedule often gives a range of 5, 10, 20 numbers for a single subject. The
tables direct cataloger to use 1st number in range for bibliography, the 2nd for serials,
etc. H schedule has similar number ranges & tables, but different directions.
Remember—all LCC schedules are created & designed by different subject experts,
so their organization varies.
Bottom line with either classification schedule—CHECK YOUR CATALOG FOR
CONSISTENCY IN PLACEMENT!
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LC’s Cutter Chart
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http://staff.library.mun.ca/staff/toolbox/tables/lccutter.htm
Run thru a few examples. Note that all the samples on the next screen don’t just fit
what you’d expect from this screen—they’re assigned to fit into *LC’s* catalog!
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A Little More of it…
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Call Numbers in MARC
• DDC
– 082
DDC assigned by LC
• 1st indicator = no info or full or abridged DDC
edition [blank, 0, 1]
• 2nd indicator = assigned by LC or someone else [0,
4]
• $a classification number
• $b main entry cutter [rarely used for DDC]
• $2 edition of DDC used, if 1st indicator is 0 or 1
– 092
DDC assigned by the rest of us
• Same 1st indicator & subfields; no 2nd indicator
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Call Numbers in MARC
• LCC
– 050
LCC assigned by LC
1st
•
indicator = exists in LC catalog
nd
• 2 indicator = assigned by LC or someone else
• $a classification number
• $b main entry cutter & publication date
– 090
LCC assigned by the rest of us
• no indicators; same subfields
• Local free-text call numbers
– 099
Any call # type, with each part separated
by $a, to format on separate lines in labels
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Can we add classification to
our “fake books”?
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