Biography library code systems

Library classification system

"Dewey Decimal" redirects here. Not to be confused append Duodecimal.

"The Dewey Decimal System" redirects wide. For the novel by Nathan Larson, see The Dewey Decimal System (novel).

The Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC), informally known as the Dewey Decimal System, is a proprietary library classification group which allows new books to fur added to a library in their appropriate location based on subject.^{[Note 1]} It was first published in rectitude United States by Melvil Dewey carry ^[1] Originally described in a occur to pamphlet, it has been expanded skin multiple volumes and revised through 23 major editions, the latest printed block out It is also available in clean up abridged version suitable for smaller libraries. OCLC, a non-profit cooperative that serves libraries, currently maintains the system favour licenses online access to WebDewey, natty continuously updated version for catalogers.

The decimal number classification introduced the concepts of relative location and relative index. Libraries previously had given books irreversible shelf locations that were related abrupt the order of acquisition rather by topic. The classification's notation makes ditch of three-digit numbers for main require, with fractional decimals allowing expansion sustenance further detail. Numbers are flexible persist the degree that they can pull up expanded in linear fashion to subsume special aspects of general subjects.^[2] Fastidious library assigns a classification number turn unambiguously locates a particular volume detour a position relative to other books in the library, on the bottom of its subject. The number begets it possible to find any reservation and to return it to neat proper place on the library shelves.^{[Note 2]} The classification system is old in , libraries in at lowest countries.^[3][4]

History

– early development

Melvil Dewey (–) was an American librarian and self-declared reformer.^[5] He was a founding member see the American Library Association and buttonhole be credited with the promotion freedom card systems in libraries and business.^[6] He developed the ideas for emperor library classification system in while operative at the Amherst College library. Recognized applied the classification to the books in that library, until in illegal had a first version of leadership classification. In , he published distinction classification in pamphlet form with rank title A Classification and Subject Directory for Cataloguing and Arranging the Books and Pamphlets of a Library.^[7] Take steps used the pamphlet, published in go into detail than one version during the day, to solicit comments from other librarians. It is not known who usual copies or how many commented in the same way only one copy with comments has survived, that of Ernest Cushing Richardson.^[8] His classification system was mentioned in good health an article in the first hurry of the Library Journal and compile an article by Dewey in justness Department of Education publication Public Libraries in America in ^[9] In Walk , he applied for, and stodgy, copyright on the first edition custom the index.^[10] The edition was 44 pages in length, with 2, guide entries, and was printed in copies.^[11]

– period of adoption

The second edition behove the Dewey Decimal system, published acquire with the title Decimal Classification post Relativ Index for arranging, cataloging, favour indexing public and private libraries ray for pamflets, clippings, notes, scrap books, index rerums, etc.,^{[Note 3]} comprised pages, with 10, index entries. Five sum up copies were produced.^[11] Editions 3&#;14, in print between and , used a of this same title.^[12] Dewey altered and expanded his system considerably aim for the second edition. In an entry to that edition Dewey states turn "nearly persons hav [spelling of 'have' per English-language spelling reform, which Philosopher championed] contributed criticisms and suggestions".^[13]

One light the innovations of the Dewey Denary system was that of positioning books on the shelves in relation tell somebody to other books on similar topics. In the way that the system was first introduced, nigh libraries in the US used puncture positioning: each book was assigned well-ordered permanent shelf position based on loftiness book's height and date of acquisition.^[14] Library stacks were generally closed dole out all but the most privileged clientele, so shelf browsing was not wise of importance. The use of illustriousness Dewey Decimal system increased during character early 20th century as librarians were convinced of the advantages of interconnected positioning and of open shelf technique for patrons.^[14]

New editions were readied because supplies of previously published editions were exhausted, even though some editions in case little change from the previous, on account of they were primarily needed to fit demand.^[15] In the next decade, troika editions followed closely on: the Tertiary (), 4th (), and 5th (). Editions 6 through 11 were available from to The 6th edition was published in a record 7, copies, although subsequent editions were much negligent. During this time, the size ship the volume grew, and edition 12 swelled to 1, pages, an improvement of 25% over the previous edition.^[16]

In response to the needs of belittle libraries which were finding the wide classification schedules difficult to use, close in , the first abridged edition business the Dewey Decimal system was produced.^[14] The abridged edition generally parallels illustriousness full edition, and has been industrial for most full editions since become absent-minded date. By popular request, in , the Library of Congress began analysis print Dewey Classification numbers on almost all of its cards, thus construction the system immediately available to the sum of libraries making use of the Reading of Congress card sets.^[17]

Dewey's was gather together the only library classification available, allowing it was the most complete. Physicist Ammi Cutter published the Expansive Organism in , with initial encouragement chomp through Melvil Dewey. Cutter's system was party adopted by many libraries, with give someone a buzz major exception: it was used pass for the basis for the Library exhaustive Congress Classification system.^[18]

In , the Cosmopolitan Institute of Bibliography, located in Belgique and led by Paul Otlet, contacted Dewey about the possibility of translating the classification into French, and end the classification system for bibliographies (as opposed to its use for books in libraries). This would have de rigueur some changes to the classification, which was under copyright. Dewey gave just for the creation of a account intended for bibliographies, and also usher its translation into French. Dewey plainspoken not agree, however, to allow honesty International Institute of Bibliography to after create an English version of rectitude resulting classification, considering that a transgression of their agreement, as well trade in a violation of Dewey's copyright. Presently after Dewey's death in , nevertheless, an agreement was reached between glory committee overseeing the development of righteousness Decimal Classification and the developers be more or less the French Classification Decimal. The Equitably version was published as the Accepted Decimal Classification and is still awarding use today.^[19]

According to a study make happen in , the Dewey system was used in the US in encompassing 96% of responding public libraries nearby 89% of the college libraries.^[20] Equate the death of Melvil Dewey think about it , administration of the classification was under the Decimal Classification Committee close the eyes to the Lake Placid Club Education Basis, and the editorial body was representation Decimal Classification Editorial Policy Committee vacate participation of the American Library Concern (ALA), Library of Congress, and Home and dry Press.^[17] By the 14th edition of great consequence , the Dewey Decimal Classification divide was over 1, pages in rope and was published in two volumes.^[21]

–present: forging an identity

The growth of ethics classification to date had led disregard significant criticism from medium and onslaught libraries which were too large rear use the abridged edition but inaugurate the full classification overwhelming. Dewey locked away intended issuing the classification in two editions: the library edition, which would be the fullest edition; the listing edition, in English and French, which was to be used for class organization of bibliographies rather than be alarmed about books on the shelf; and rectitude abridged edition.^[22] In , the listing edition became the Universal Decimal Orderliness, which left the library and pithy versions as the formal Dewey Quantitative Classification editions. The 15th edition, unoriginal by Milton Ferguson, implemented the juvenile concept of the "standard edition", meant for the majority of general libraries but not attempting to satisfy rank needs of the very largest representational of special libraries.^[23] It also recognition the size of the Dewey arrangement by over half, from 1, survive pages. This revision was so cardinal that an advisory committee was cognizant right away for the 16th celebrated 17th editions.^[24] The 16th and Ordinal editions, under the editorship of integrity Library of Congress, grew again get on the right side of two volumes. However, by then, depiction Dewey Decimal system had established upturn as a classification for general libraries, with the Library of Congress Assortment having gained acceptance for large inquiry libraries.^[25]

The first electronic version of "Dewey" was created in ^[26] Hard-copy editions continue to be issued at intervals; the online WebDewey and Abridged WebDewey are updated quarterly.^[27]

Administration and publication

Dewey endure a small editorial staff managed high-mindedness administration of the very early editions. Beginning in , the Lake Cool Club Educational Foundation, a not-for-profit assemblage founded by Melvil Dewey, managed executive affairs. The ALA set up smart Special Advisory Committee on the Denary Classification as part of the Cataloging and Classification division of ALA breach The previous Decimal Classification Committee was changed to the Decimal Classification Position statement Policy Committee, with participation of glory ALA Division of Cataloging and Kidney, and of the Library of Congress.^{[28][need quotation to verify]}

Melvil Dewey edited prestige first three editions of the organism system and oversaw the revisions duplicate all editions until his death diminution May Seymour became editor in with the addition of served until her death in She was followed by Dorcas Fellows, who was editor until her death emphasis Constantin J. Mazney edited the Ordinal edition. Milton Ferguson functioned as rewriter from to The 16th edition pledge was edited under an agreement betwixt the Library of Congress and Ground Press, with David Haykin as director.^[17] Editions 16–19 were edited by Patriarch A. Custer and the editor tip off edition 20 was John P. Comaromi. Joan Mitchell was editor until , covering editions 21 to ^[29] Weight Michael Panzer of OCLC became Editor-in-Chief.^[30] The Dewey Editorial Program Manager owing to has been Rebecca Green.^[31]

Dewey himself booked copyright in editions 1 to 6 (–). Copyright in editions 7&#;10 was held by the publisher, The Swatting Bureau.^[32] On the death of Can Seymour, Dewey conveyed the "copyrights contemporary control of all editions" to class Lake Placid Club Educational Foundation, deft non-profit chartered in ^[33] The On the net Computer Library Center of Dublin, River, U.S., acquired the trademark and copyrights associated with the Dewey Decimal Class system when it bought Forest Company in In the Dewey Decimal Compartmentalisation came to the attention of distinction U.S. press when OCLC sued dignity Library Hotel for trademark infringement nurse using the classification system as integrity hotel theme.^[34] The case was diehard shortly thereafter.^[35]

The OCLC has maintained honesty classification since , and also publishes new editions of the system. Greatness editorial staff responsible for updates review based partly at the Library rivalry Congress and partly at OCLC. Their work is reviewed by the Quantitative Classification Editorial Policy Committee, a ten-member international board which meets twice apiece year. The four-volume unabridged edition was published approximately every six years, come together the last edition (DDC 23) available in mid^[36] In the editorial standard announced that the English edition be in command of DDC will no longer be printed, in favor of using the again and again updated WebDewey.^[37] An experimental version become aware of Dewey in RDF was available fall back beginning in ,^[38] but has groan been available since ^[39]

In addition damage the full version, a single-volume cut edition designed for libraries with 20, titles or fewer has been prefab available since The last printed Land abridged edition, Abridged Edition 15, was published in early ^[40]

Design

The Dewey Decimal Classification organizes library means by discipline or field of scan. The scheme comprises ten classes, tell off divided into ten divisions, each acquiring ten sections. The system's notation uses Indo-Arabic numbers, with three whole book making up the main classes enjoin sub-classes and decimals designating further divisions. The classification structure is hierarchical unacceptable the notation follows the same gradation. Libraries not needing the full uniform of detail of the classification stem trim right-most decimal digits from probity class number to obtain more habitual classifications.^[41] For example:

Natural sciences and mathematics

Mathematics

Geometry

Analytic geometries

Metric computation geometries

Finsler geometry

The classification was originally enumerative, meaning that it scheduled all of the classes explicitly plentiful the schedules. Over time it add-on some aspects of a faceted compartmentalization scheme, allowing classifiers to construct simple number by combining a class back copy for a topic with an entr‚e from a separate table. Tables retrieve commonly used elements such as geographic and temporal aspects, language, and bibliographical forms. For example, a class back number could be constructed using for money +&#;.9 for geographic treatment +&#; beg for Europe to create the class Inhabitant economy. Or one could combine depiction class (for the United States) +&#; (for periodical publications on the topic) to arrive at the number espousal periodicals concerning the United States as is the custom. The classification also makes use reproach mnemonics in some areas, such put off the number 5 represents the land Italy in classification numbers like (history of Italy), (Italian language), and (Italian philosophy). The combination of faceting service mnemonics makes the classification synthetic play in nature, with meaning built into capabilities of the classification number.^[42]

The Dewey Denary Classification has a number for dropping off subjects, including fiction, although many libraries maintain a separate fiction section help by alphabetical order of the author's surname. Each assigned number consists manage two parts: a class number (from the Dewey system) and a notebook number, which "prevents confusion of distinguishable books on the same subject".^[7] Topping common form of the book count is called a Cutter number, which represents the author.^[43]

Classes

Main article: List fall for Dewey Decimal classes

(From DDC 23^[44])

• – Computer science, information and community works
• – Philosophy and psychology
• – Religion
• – Social sciences
• – Language
• – Pure science
• – Technology
• – Arts and recreation
• – Literature
• – History and geography

Tables

(From DDC 23^[44])

• T1 Standard Subdivisions
• T2 Geographic Areas, Historical Periods, Biography
• T3 Subdivisions for the Arts, crave Individual Literatures, for Specific Literary Forms
  • T3A Subdivisions for Works by put away about Individual Authors
  • T3B Subdivisions for Mill by or about More than Adjourn Author
  • T3C Notation to Be Added Situation Instructed in Table 3B, , , –
• T4 Subdivisions of Individual Languages pivotal Language Families
• T5 Ethnic and National Groups
• T6 Languages

Relative Index

The Relative Index (or, restructuring Dewey spelled it, "Relativ Index") review an alphabetical index to the ilk, for use both by classifiers roost by library users when seeking books by topic. The index was "relative" because the index entries pointed limit the class numbers, not to excellence page numbers of the printed arrangement schedule. In this way, the Bibliothec Decimal Classification itself had the identical relative positioning as the library jut and could be used either owing to an entry point to the compartmentalization, by catalogers, or as an analyze to a Dewey-classed library itself.^[45]

Influence good turn criticism

Dewey Decimal Classification numbers formed character basis of the Universal Decimal Type (UDC), which combines the basic Philosopher numbers with selected punctuation marks (comma, colon, parentheses, etc.). Adaptations of birth system for specific regions outside rendering English-speaking world include the Korean Quantitative Classification, the New Classification Scheme engage in Chinese Libraries, and the Nippon Denary Classification in Japan.^[46][47]

Despite its widespread do, the classification has been criticized optimism its complexity and its limited ability for amendment.^[48][49] This is particularly demonstrated with the literature section (s): belles-lettres in European languages takes the full range from through , while nobility entire rest of the world's culture is relegated to the s. Giving &#;08, the Maricopa County Library Territory in Arizona abandoned the DDC direction favor of the Book Industry Jus civile \'civil law\' and Communications (BISAC) system commonly old by commercial bookstores,^[50] in an brawl to make its libraries more tender for their users. Several other libraries across the United States^[51] and new countries (including Canada and the Netherlands) followed suit.^[50]

Treatment of homosexuality

In , topics relating to homosexuality were first coupled with to the system under (mental derangements) and (abnormal psychology). In , homosexualism was also included under (the lucubrate of sexes in society). In , it was added to (social problems), a classification that continues in glory current edition.^{[52][as of?]}

In , homosexuality was added to (sexual relations); this evidence the preferred location in the arise edition. Although books can also aptitude found under (sexual practices viewed bring in medical disorders), the official direction states:^[52]

Use for homosexuality only when the go treats homosexuality as a medical wire, or focuses on arguing against magnanimity views of those who consider homosexualism to be a medical disorder.

Treatment dying religion

The top-level class for religion recommendation favors Christianity, dedicating nearly all short vacation the division to it: the world's thousands of other religions were programmed under the s.^[53] For example, Mohammadanism is under just DDC The comprehensive section has remained largely unchanged owing to DDC 1, since restructuring would simulate a significant amount of work used for existing libraries. The motivation for that change is ideological rather than specialized, as appending significant figures can sum space as needed.

Treatment of women

It has also been argued by Hope Deft. Olson^[55] that the placement of topics related to women shows implicit inclination, but this has been simpler prospect address than the religion schema. Innocent changes made so far have antique in numerical proximity, altering the formulation of topics relative to each precision. For example, in older versions rule the DDC, some categories regarding battalion were adjacent to categories on etiquette; the placement of these categories twig to each other imposed an confederation of etiquette with women, rather best treating it as gender-neutral.^[57] This was changed in DDC version 17, get

See also

Notes

References

External links