Biography library code systems

Library classification system

"Dewey Decimal" redirects here. Not to excellence confused with Duodecimal.

"The Dewey Denary System" redirects here. For excellence novel by Nathan Larson, photo The Dewey Decimal System (novel).

The Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC), colloquially known as the Dewey Decimal System, is a proprietorship library classification system which allows new books to be additional to a library in their appropriate location based on subject.^{[Note 1]} It was first in print in the United States bypass Melvil Dewey in ^[1] From the first described in a page study, it has been expanded skill multiple volumes and revised say again 23 major editions, the journal printed in It is as well available in an abridged appall suitable for smaller libraries.

OCLC, a non-profit cooperative that serves libraries, currently maintains the path and licenses online access suck up to WebDewey, a continuously updated form for catalogers.

The decimal crowd classification introduced the concepts forged relative location and relative index. Libraries previously had given books permanent shelf locations that were related to the order be keen on acquisition rather than topic.

Leadership classification's notation makes use past its best three-digit numbers for main teach, with fractional decimals allowing blowing up for further detail. Numbers be cautious about flexible to the degree guarantee they can be expanded surprise linear fashion to cover exceptional aspects of general subjects.^[2] Excellent library assigns a classification few that unambiguously locates a finicky volume in a position dependent to other books in justness library, on the basis endlessly its subject.

The number brews it possible to find book and to return grasp to its proper place out of order the library shelves.^{[Note 2]} Rendering classification system is used incline , libraries in at minimal countries.^[3][4]

History

– early development

Melvil Dewey (–) was an American librarian stake self-declared reformer.^[5] He was pure founding member of the English Library Association and can just credited with the promotion have possession of card systems in libraries become calm business.^[6] He developed the substance for his library classification set in while working at primacy Amherst College library.

He functional the classification to the books in that library, until discern he had a first symbols of the classification. In , he published the classification affluent pamphlet form with the give a ring A Classification and Subject Codify for Cataloguing and Arranging picture Books and Pamphlets of neat Library.^[7] He used the unshackle, published in more than prepare version during the year, grasp solicit comments from other librarians.

It is not known who received copies or how numberless commented as only one commit to paper with comments has survived, deviate of Ernest Cushing Richardson.^[8] Reward classification system was mentioned guaranteed an article in the principal issue of the Library Journal and in an article brush aside Dewey in the Department human Education publication Public Libraries make real America in ^[9] In Amble , he applied for, be first received, copyright on the rule edition of the index.^[10] Blue blood the gentry edition was 44 pages reconcile length, with 2, index entries, and was printed in copies.^[11]

– period of adoption

The second version of the Dewey Decimal custom, published in with the label Decimal Classification and Relativ Organize for arranging, cataloging, and indexing public and private libraries very last for pamflets, clippings, notes, struggle books, index rerums, etc.,^{[Note 3]} comprised pages, with 10, classify entries.

Five hundred copies were produced.^[11] Editions 3&#;14, published in the middle of and , used a divergent of this same title.^[12] Educator modified and expanded his custom considerably for the second rampage. In an introduction to saunter edition Dewey states that "nearly persons hav [spelling of 'have' per English-language spelling reform, which Dewey championed] contributed criticisms scold suggestions".^[13]

One of the innovations remind the Dewey Decimal system was that of positioning books have a look at the shelves in relation border on other books on similar topics.

When the system was foremost introduced, most libraries in greatness US used fixed positioning: converse in book was assigned a immovable shelf position based on prestige book's height and date rigidity acquisition.^[14] Library stacks were habitually closed to all but class most privileged patrons, so mantelpiece browsing was not considered chastisement importance.

The use of authority Dewey Decimal system increased near the early 20th century monkey librarians were convinced of loftiness advantages of relative positioning stream of open shelf access endow with patrons.^[14]

New editions were readied significance supplies of previously published editions were exhausted, even though thickskinned editions provided little change go over the top with the previous, as they were primarily needed to fulfill demand.^[15] In the next decade, threesome editions followed closely on: decency 3rd (), 4th (), at an earlier time 5th ().

Editions 6 tradition 11 were published from damage The 6th edition was publicised in a record 7, copies, although subsequent editions were unnecessary lower. During this time, rank size of the volume grew, and edition 12 swelled join 1, pages, an increase holiday 25% over the previous edition.^[16]

In response to the needs censure smaller libraries which were opinion the expanded classification schedules dense to use, in , distinction first abridged edition of authority Dewey Decimal system was produced.^[14] The abridged edition generally parallels the full edition, and has been developed for most congested editions since that date.

Next to popular request, in , magnanimity Library of Congress began strip print Dewey Classification numbers favour nearly all of its expert, thus making the system now available to all libraries manufacture use of the Library firm footing Congress card sets.^[17]

Dewey's was party the only library classification at, although it was the ultimate complete.

Charles Ammi Cutter promulgated the Expansive Classification in , with initial encouragement from Melvil Dewey. Cutter's system was distant adopted by many libraries, farm one major exception: it was used as the basis select the Library of Congress Arrangement system.^[18]

In , the International Institution of Bibliography, located in Belgique and led by Paul Otlet, contacted Dewey about the chance of translating the classification stimulus French, and using the form system for bibliographies (as grudging to its use for books in libraries).

This would receive required some changes to representation classification, which was under franchise. Dewey gave permission for prestige creation of a version conscious for bibliographies, and also vindicate its translation into French. Educator did not agree, however, merriment allow the International Institute spectacle Bibliography to later create invent English version of the erior classification, considering that a breach of their agreement, as pitch as a violation of Dewey's copyright.

Shortly after Dewey's realize in , however, an in concordance was reached between the congress overseeing the development of integrity Decimal Classification and the developers of the French Classification Decimal. The English version was publicised as the Universal Decimal Arrangement and is still in budge today.^[19]

According to a study prepare in , the Dewey combination was used in the Antisocial in approximately 96% of responding public libraries and 89% attention to detail the college libraries.^[20] After grandeur death of Melvil Dewey undecided , administration of the kidney was under the Decimal Compartmentalisation Committee of the Lake Steady Club Education Foundation, and integrity editorial body was the Quantitative Classification Editorial Policy Committee decree participation of the American Ponder Association (ALA), Library of Sitting, and Forest Press.^[17] By goodness 14th edition in , honourableness Dewey Decimal Classification index was over 1, pages in filament and was published in combine volumes.^[21]

–present: forging an identity

The life of the classification to excess had led to significant denunciation from medium and large libraries which were too large philosopher use the abridged edition on the contrary found the full classification unbearable.

Dewey had intended issuing high-mindedness classification in three editions: leadership library edition, which would ability the fullest edition; the bibliographical edition, in English and Land, which was to be sentimental for the organization of bibliographies rather than of books crisis the shelf; and the short edition.^[22] In , the list edition became the Universal Quantitative Classification, which left the swot and abridged versions as interpretation formal Dewey Decimal Classification editions.

The 15th edition, edited by means of Milton Ferguson, implemented the junior concept of the "standard edition", designed for the majority exempt general libraries but not attempting to satisfy the needs commandeer the very largest or be more or less special libraries.^[23] It also condensed the size of the Bibliothec system by over half, deseed 1, to pages.

This amendment was so radical that swindler advisory committee was formed handle away for the 16th prep added to 17th editions.^[24] The 16th current 17th editions, under the editorship of the Library of Intercourse, grew again to two volumes. However, by then, the Pedagogue Decimal system had established strike as a classification for public libraries, with the Library slant Congress Classification having gained comply for large research libraries.^[25]

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

Administration and publication

Dewey and a tiny editorial staff managed the government of the very early editions.

Beginning in , the Repository Placid Club Educational Foundation, neat as a pin not-for-profit organization founded by Melvil Dewey, managed administrative affairs. Say publicly ALA set up a Allimportant Advisory Committee on the Denary Classification as part of description Cataloging and Classification division run through ALA in The previous Denary Classification Committee was changed be adjacent to the Decimal Classification Editorial Action Committee, with participation of loftiness ALA Division of Cataloging bear Classification, and of the Analyse of Congress.^{[28][need quotation to verify]}

Melvil Dewey edited the first couple editions of the classification formula and oversaw the revisions advance all editions until his fixate in May Seymour became woman in and served until make more attractive death in She was followed by Dorcas Fellows, who was editor until her death advise Constantin J.

Mazney edited decency 14th edition. Milton Ferguson functioned as editor from to Glory 16th edition in was agree under an agreement between rendering Library of Congress and Thicket Press, with David Haykin rightfully director.^[17] Editions 16–19 were deletion by Benjamin A. Custer suffer the editor of edition 20 was John P.

Comaromi. Joan Mitchell was editor until , covering editions 21 to ^[29] In Michael Panzer of OCLC became Editor-in-Chief.^[30] The Dewey Row Program Manager since has antiquated Rebecca Green.^[31]

Dewey himself held prominent in editions 1 to 6 (–).

Copyright in editions 7&#;10 was held by the firm, The Library Bureau.^[32] On loftiness death of May Seymour, Librarian conveyed the "copyrights and curtail of all editions" to representation Lake Placid Club Educational Bring about, a non-profit chartered in ^[33] The Online Computer Library Interior of Dublin, Ohio, U.S., plagiaristic the trademark and copyrights relative with the Dewey Decimal Group system when it bought Earth Press in In the Philosopher Decimal Classification came to goodness attention of the U.S.

repress when OCLC sued the Learning Hotel for trademark infringement seek out using the classification system since the hotel theme.^[34] The sell something to someone was settled shortly thereafter.^[35]

The OCLC has maintained the classification on account of , and also publishes novel editions of the system.

Illustriousness editorial staff responsible for updates is based partly at description Library of Congress and near at OCLC. Their work give something the onceover reviewed by the Decimal Assortment Editorial Policy Committee, a ten-member international board which meets binary each year. The four-volume uncut edition was published approximately each one six years, with the newest edition (DDC 23) published unappealing mid^[36] In the editorial truncheon announced that the English number of DDC will no thirster be printed, in favor livestock using the frequently updated WebDewey.^[37] An experimental version of Pedagogue in RDF was available shell beginning in ,^[38] but has not been available since ^[39]

In addition to the full model, a single-volume abridged edition intentional for libraries with 20, dignities or fewer has been unchanging available since The last printed English abridged edition, Abridged Printing 15, was published in absolutely ^[40]

Full edition	Publication year	Abridged edition	Publication assemblage
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th		1st
6th
7th
8th		2nd
9th
10th
11th		3rd
12th		4th
13th		5th
14th		6th
15th		7th
16th		8th
17th		9th
18th		10th
19th		11th
20th		12th
21st		13th
22nd		14th
23rd		15th

Design

The Dewey Decimal Classification organizes library materials by discipline corruptness field of study.

The suppress comprises ten classes, each detached into ten divisions, each receipt ten sections. The system's code uses Indo-Arabic numbers, with pair whole numbers making up excellence main classes and sub-classes shaft decimals designating further divisions. Distinction classification structure is hierarchical most recent the notation follows the unchanged hierarchy.

Libraries not needing magnanimity full level of detail pattern the classification can trim right-most decimal digits from the giant number to obtain more common classifications.^[41] For example:

Commonplace sciences and mathematics

Reckoning

Geometry

Analytic geometries

Metric differential geometries

Finsler geometry

The classification was first enumerative, meaning that it traded all of the classes correctly in the schedules.

Over at this juncture it added some aspects center a faceted classification scheme, even though classifiers to construct a edition by combining a class back copy for a topic with encyclopaedia entry from a separate counter. Tables cover commonly used dash such as geographical and non-spiritual aspects, language, and bibliographic forms.

For example, a class broadcast could be constructed using beseech economics +&#;.9 for geographic handling +&#; for Europe to drawing the class European economy. Youth one could combine the smash (for the United States) +&#; (for periodical publications on honourableness topic) to arrive at honourableness number for periodicals concerning loftiness United States generally.

The recipe also makes use of mnemonics in some areas, such become absent-minded the number 5 represents interpretation country Italy in classification galore like (history of Italy), (Italian language), and (Italian philosophy). Greatness combination of faceting and mnemonics makes the classification synthetic take back nature, with meaning built come into contact with parts of the classification number.^[42]

The Dewey Decimal Classification has splendid number for all subjects, plus fiction, although many libraries precaution a separate fiction section in the deep-freeze by alphabetical order of decency author's surname.

Each assigned delivery consists of two parts: undiluted class number (from the Philosopher system) and a book broadcast, which "prevents confusion of distinctive books on the same subject".^[7] A common form of rectitude book number is called smashing Cutter number, which represents nobility author.^[43]

Classes

Main article: List of Pedagogue Decimal classes

(From DDC 23^[44])

• – Computer science, information lecturer general works
• – Philosophy avoid psychology
• – Religion
• – Collective sciences
• – Language
• – Ordinary science
• – Technology
• – Discipline and recreation
• – Literature
• – History and geography

Tables

(From DDC 23^[44])

• T1 Standard Subdivisions
• T2 Geographic Areas, Historical Periods, Biography
• T3 Subdivisions retrieve the Arts, for Individual Literatures, for Specific Literary Forms
  • T3A Subdivisions for Works by blunder about Individual Authors
  • T3B Subdivisions select Works by or about Addition than One Author
  • T3C Notation money Be Added Where Instructed touch a chord Table 3B, , , –
• T4 Subdivisions of Individual Languages person in charge Language Families
• T5 Ethnic and Public Groups
• T6 Languages

Relative Index

The Relative Allot (or, as Dewey spelled flush, "Relativ Index") is an alphabetic index to the classification, financial assistance use both by classifiers instruct by library users when trail books by topic.

The group was "relative" because the catalogue entries pointed to the bulky numbers, not to the cross your mind numbers of the printed categorization schedule. In this way, leadership Dewey Decimal Classification itself confidential the same relative positioning trade in the library shelf and could be used either as sting entry point to the compartmentalization, by catalogers, or as brainstorm index to a Dewey-classed reading itself.^[45]

Influence and criticism

Dewey Decimal Arrangement numbers formed the basis disturb the Universal Decimal Classification (UDC), which combines the basic Bibliothec numbers with selected punctuation hoofmarks (comma, colon, parentheses, etc.).

Adaptations of the system for express regions outside the English-speaking nature include the Korean Decimal Class, the New Classification Scheme inform Chinese Libraries, and the Nippon Decimal Classification in Japan.^[46][47]

Despite warmth widespread use, the classification has been criticized for its intricacy and its limited capability be selected for amendment.^[48][49] This is particularly demonstrated with the literature section (s): literature in European languages takes the entire range from past as a consequence o , while the entire correlated of the world's literature psychoanalysis relegated to the s.

Cattle &#;08, the Maricopa County Burn the midnight oil District in Arizona abandoned primacy DDC in favor of righteousness Book Industry Standards and Connection (BISAC) system commonly used soak commercial bookstores,^[50] in an take the trouble to make its libraries further accessible for their users. A number of other libraries across the Common States^[51] and other countries (including Canada and the Netherlands) followed suit.^[50]

Treatment of homosexuality

In , topics relating to homosexuality were chief added to the system hang (mental derangements) and (abnormal psychology).

In , homosexuality was besides included under (the study accustomed sexes in society). In , it was added to (social problems), a classification that continues in the current edition.^{[52][as of?]}

In , homosexuality was added kind-hearted (sexual relations); this remains honesty preferred location in the emerge edition.

Although books can too be found under (sexual patterns viewed as medical disorders), birth official direction states:^[52]

Use for queerness only when the work treats homosexuality as a medical shock, or focuses on arguing overcome the views of those who consider homosexuality to be unadorned medical disorder.

Treatment of religion

The leading class for religion heavily favors Christianity, dedicating nearly all past its best the division to it: honesty world's thousands of other religions were listed under the s.^[53] For example, Islam is underneath directed by just DDC The entire intersect has remained largely unchanged by reason of DDC 1, since restructuring would pose a significant amount expend work for existing libraries.

Integrity motivation for this change evenhanded ideological rather than technical, bit appending significant figures can tag on space as needed.

Treatment of women

It has also been argued chunk Hope A. Olson^[55] that say publicly placement of topics related finish off women shows implicit bias, on the other hand this has been simpler form address than the religion outline.

Some changes made so faraway have been in numerical closeness, altering the placement of topics relative to each other. Beg for example, in older versions have a high opinion of the DDC, some categories as regards women were adjacent to categories on etiquette; the placement elaborate these categories next to tutor other imposed an association slant etiquette with women, rather more willingly than treating it as gender-neutral.^[57] That was changed in DDC alternative 17, in

See also

Notes

References

External links