Library Classification scheme

Classification is a procedure of grouping similar items and objects and is essential in

formulating groups that are known as classifying which results in Classification. This
process helps the user to arrange, organize and make a logical sense of articles which
also assists the user to locate them in an easy manner.
According to the Dictionary of Library and Information Science, Classification schemes
is defined as “a list of classes arranged according to a set of pre-defined principles for
the purpose of organizing items in a collection or entries in an index, bibliography or
catalog into groups based on their similarities and differences to facilitate access and
retrieval
Library classification schemes are tools that allow us to allocate a class mark– an
artificial notation comprising alphanumeric characters and punctuation marks to every
item based on its subject content so that the library staff can preserve all the related
items together on the library’s shelves. They are the logical arrangements of subjects
plus a system of symbols representing those subjects. Classification schemes add a
classifier to represent the subject content of every document by appropriate notations.
A library classification scheme has a number of objectives:
 To provide a shelf address: to assign a specific location for every document on
the library’s shelves.
 To collate items: placing documents on the same or similar subjects together
on the library’s shelves to facilitate users to find items on the same subject in
one place within the library.
 To link items: to enable users looking for items through a library catalogue can
use call numbers as references to locate items on the shelves; classification is
used as a link between the catalogue record of an item and the item itself on
the shelf.
 To enable browsing facilities: using the structure of a bibliographic
classification to browse a collection on the library’s shelves or in an electronic
or in an electronic collection.

Features of Library Classification Scheme

Classification schemes need to include the following features to prove to be of
maximum benefit to the classifier:
1. Schedules: The term Schedule is used to describe the printed list of all the
main classes, divisions and sub-divisions of the classification scheme. They
provide a logical arrangement ofall the subjects encompassed by the classification
scheme.This arrangement usually being hierarchical shows the relationship of
specific subjects to their parent subject. The relevant classification symbol is
shown against each subject.library
2. Index: The Index to the classification scheme is an alphabetical list of all the
subjects encompassed by the scheme, with the relevant class mark shown
against each subject. There are two types of index:
A Relative Index: includes broad topics in its alphabetic arrangement, but
indented below the broad subject heading is a list of all the aspects of the subject.
For e.g. Dewey Decimal Classification Scheme has an excellent relative index.
A Specific Index: lists specific subjects in a précis alphabetical sequence. It
does not indent lists of related topics under the broad subject headings. For
example, Brown’s Subject Classification Scheme has a specific index.
3. Notation: Notation is the system of symbols used to represent the terms
encompassed by the classification scheme. The notation can be pure – using one
type of symbol only – or mixed – using more than one kind of symbol. A pure
notation would normally involve only letters of the alphabet or only numerals. A
mixed notation would normally utilize both letters and numerals. Some notations
also involve the use of grammatical signs or mathematical symbols. The notation
usually appears on the spines of library books to facilitate shelving and to ensure
that each book is in its correct place. The notation is also shown on catalogue
entries to help the staff and public to remove books quickly. It therefore serves as:
A link between the index and the schedules of a classification scheme, and
A link between the library catalogues and the shelves.
4. Tables: The tables of a classification scheme are additional to the schedules
and provide lists of symbols which can be added to class marks to them more
specific and precise.
5. Form Class: A form class makes provision for those books where form is of
greater importance than subject. Most books of this kind are literary works–
fiction, poetry, plays etc.
6. A Generalities Class: This class caters primarily for books of General
knowledge which could not be allocated to any particular subject class due to their
pervasive subject coverage. In some respects, a generalities class is also a form
class since general bibliographies, general encyclopedias and general periodicals
would been compassed in it.
Purpose & Objectives of Library Classification
Objectives of Library Classification
The main objective of library classification is to arrange the library documents in
affilliatory sequence for the convenience of both the readers and the staff in the
library. In fact, According to Dr. S.R. Ranganathan, library classification
mechanizes the corrected placement of library documents after use, fixes the
most helpful place for a newly added document or a book amongst the other
books available in the library on a similar subject and files the most helpful place
for the first document on such other already existing subjects which are related to
it. For this purpose, the class number must be coextensive with the subject of a
document and easy subject must be individualized to the extent that no other
subject must share the same class number.
It brings like books together: Classification arranges books in an order most
convenient to the readers and the librarians. Readers should find all the related
books together and librarians should minimum time and energy in locating the
documents. Classification brings together all the books on the same subject. Not
only that, books on different branches of the subjects are also collated in a way
that their mutual relationship is clearly displayed.
It saves time: Classification is a great time saving device for readers, as well as
librarians and thus fulfils the demand of the fourth law of library science. The
arrangement by subject, a natural consequence of library classification, saves a
lot of time of readers as well as of staff, by bringing together all the related
documents.
It reveals the weakness and strengthof the collection: As classification arranges
books on shelf by subject, it clearly shows which subjects have a good collection,
and which subjects require more attention. In this way, it facilitates the book
selection process and helps in developing all round collection of the library.
Similarly, it assists the librarians in making up their collection, for the departmental
or branch libraries or lending centers, from the central stock.
It helps in bibliographic research: Classification is of value in bibliographic
research as it helps in the compilation of bibliographies, catalogues and union
catalogues.
It helps in stock verification: Classification plays a significant role in the stock
taking procedure. Generally, verification of stock is done through a shelf list, which
is arranged in classified order. Books on the shelf are also arranged in the same
order. In the stock taking procedure, a person on the shelf goes on calling the call
number of the books while the other person, holding the shelf list goes on pushing
 the relevant cards forward. Thus, the process of stock taking is completed within a
relatively short time.
Library classification assists the librarian to make available the requisite book to
the reader in the shortest possible time. The purpose of any library classification
scheme is to allow libraries to arrange the documents in a sequence that will be of
immense help to the readers. The library classification scheme offers the leaders
a basis for organizing books and other reading material so that these can be used
by the readers as and when they desire. A variety of classification schemes have
been developed in various countries throughout the world to maintain the library
collections in the most helpful manner possible.

Purpose of Library Classification

The following are the main purposes of library classification:

1. Helpful Sequence: Classification helps in organizing the documents in a

method most convenient to the users and to the library staff. The documents
should be systematically arranged in classes based on the mutual relationship
between them which would bring together all closely related classes. The basic
idea is to bring the like classes together and separate these from unlike classes.
The arrangement should be such that the user should be able to retrieve the
required document as a result it will make a helpful sequence.
2. Correct Replacement: Documents whenever taken out from shelf should be
replaced in their proper places. It is essential that library classification should
enable the correct replacement of documents after they have been returned
from use. This would require a mechanized arrangement so that arrangement
remains permanent.
3. Mechanized Arrangement: It means to adopt a particular arrangement suitable
for the library so that the arrangement remains permanent. The sequence
should be determined once for all, so that one does not have to pre-determine
the sequence of documents once again when these are returned after being
borrowed.
4. Addition of New Document: Library would acquire new documents from time
to time therefore library classification should help in finding the most helpful
place for each of those among the existing collection of the library. There are
two possibilities in this regard. The new books may be or a subject already
provided for in the scheme of library classification, or it may be or a newly
emerging subject that may not have been provided in the existing scheme.
5. Withdrawal of Document from Stock: In this case, the need arises to withdraw
a document from the library collection for some reason, and then library
classification should facilitate such a withdrawal.
6. Book Display: Display is adopted for a special exhibition of books and other
materials on a given topic. The term is used to indicate that the collection in an
open access library is well presented and guided. Library classification should
be helpful in the organization of book displays.
 7. Other Purposes:

 Compilation of bibliographies catalogues and union catalogues.

 Classification of information.
 Classification of reference queries.
 Classification of suggestions received from the users.
 Filing of non-book materials such as photographs, films, etc.

Enumerative Classification Scheme

The process of classification, in an enumerative scheme, achieved first by consulting
the index and then by proceeding location pinpointed in the schedules. Although the
index lists subjects rather than concepts one should never classify of index alone as this
can lead to error. The relevant schedules examined in order to find the correct number.
To take an example, if a book which deals with the work of famous such as
Shakespeare, Dinkar and Nehru were to be classified, an index entry for ‘Literature’
might be referred to and the class obtained. However, after proceeding to in the
schedules, it apparent immediately that ‘Literature’ is divided by language the question
whether all the authors dealt with are English authors must then be classified. Thus the
structure classification scheme itself acts are as classifying.
If the classification of machine bolts were copied in a hierarchical scheme, dividing first
by material, then by thread shape and head shape and finally by finish, it would begin to
the following, appearance: brass bolts stainless steel machine bolts steel.

Freely Faceted Classification

A freely faceted classification is a scheme for classification guided by explicitly stated
postulates, canons and principles for the three planes of work and involves the analysis
of the subject into its facets in the idea plane, their transformation into kernal terms in
the verbal planes using current standard technology, and these translation to kernal
numbers in the national plane according to a scheme of classification and the synthesis
of kernel numbers into a class number. This methodology is based on postulates about
the structure and development of the universe of subjects, and theoretically admits the
addition of the large number of the characteristics one after another in a large number of
facets to be added one after another in the classification of the universe of subjects.
Freely faceted classification involves the following:
(1) Analyzing and synthesizing the subject,
(2) Exploration of subject adjusting newly assigned subjects in a tolerably helpful
sequence.
(3) Structure of Banyan tree analogy,
(4) Concept of Meccaro analogy, and
(5) Anatomy to Classifier.
Meaning of Facet in Library Classification.
A particular aspect of a subject or train of characteristics. E.g., in literature there may
be four facets: language, form, author, and work. The term is used chiefly by
Ranganathan in the colon classification and explained in detail by B.I. Palmer in his
book The Fundamentals of Library Science. Ranganathan defined it as the totality of
the sub-classes of a basic class derived by the use of single train of characteristics.
So, factors are division of a main class through which all the entries of a class are
first grouped under each possible category and then individualized. The facet of
class are determined with the help of a certain train of characteristics which are
applied to the subject for its division. There are many trains of characteristics each of
which divides a subject. A certain number of trains of characteristics will yield an
equal number of facets of a class.
It is a concept of 20th century for knowledge classification. It is universally
accepted. The credit goes to Ranganathan. All modern researches in
documentation, coding, and classification have been influenced by the concept of
the facet analysis. Metcalf is not clear in his thoughts as he says, “Facet Analysis
seems to mean either what has been called subject analysis of particular documents
as a step to their synthetic representation by so-called class or code numbers, or it
means the analysis of subject field to discover a basis for its classification, whether
enumerative or analytico-synthetic.”
Wild back considered the facets as a synonym of “point of view” according to which
subject is divided.

Library Classification Schemes

Classification schemes is defined as “a list of classes arranged according to a set of
pre-defined principles for the purpose of organizing items in a collection or entries in
an index, bibliography or catalogue into groups based on their similarities and
differences to facilitate access and retrieval.”
Library classification schemes are tools that allow us to allocate a class mark – an
artificial notation comprising alphanumeric characters and punctuation marks to
every item based on its subject content so that the library staff can preserve all the
related items together on the library’s shelves. They are the logical arrangements of
subjects plus a system of symbols representing those subjects. Classification
schemes aid a classifier to 148represent the subject content of every document by
appropriate notations. A library classification scheme has a number of objectives:
1- To provide a shelf address–to assign a specific location for every document on
the library’s shelves.
2- To collate items–placing documents on the same or similar subjects together on
the library’s shelves to facilitate users to find items on the same subject in one
place within the library.
3- To link items–to enable users looking for items through a library catalogue can
use call numbers as references to locate items on the shelves; classification is
used as a link between the catalogue record of an item and the item itself on the
shelf.
4- To enable browsing facilities–using the structure of a bibliographic classification
to browse a collection on the library’s shelves or in an electronic or in an
electronic collection.
It is a systematic arrangement of ideas, books or documents. It is vital if one is to
obtain the best use of one’s collection. Classification is an act of classifying or
arranging in classes according to common characteristics or affinities. Books are
written expression of man’s ideas and these ideas are complicated. Several subjects
may be discussed in one book, or one subject may be discussed in one book. One
subject may be discussed from several aspects. However, both factors may appear
together. Classification schemes which attempt to list all parts of knowledge so that
a librarian may pigeon-hole his book neatly are called enumerative. Sub-classes are
formed from a more general class deductively. To divide a class of books into
smaller groups a characteristic is chosen which should be used consistently at any
one step in the division. A characteristic is a quality which is common to all divisions
but appears with a difference to each, e.g. history may be divided by time and within
each division the time will be different.DDC
In other terms, each subject may be divided into a series of more specific subjects in
chain. It is also necessary in libraries to arrange the similar subjects such so that it
may be considered side by side in array, e.g. physics, chemistry and mathematics
belong to the same class science; arithmetic, algebra and geometry are co-equal
divisions of the class mathematics.
Classification schemes must allow new subjects to be inserted at the suitable point
without dislocation of the rest of the scheme. The most famous schemes are:
 Decimal Classification of Melvil Dewey
 Expansive Classification of C.A. Cutter
 Subject Classification of J.D. Brown
 Bibliographic Classification of H.E. Bliss
 Colon Classification of S.R. Ranganathan
 Universal Decimal Classification
 Library of Congress Classification
 Rider International Classification
Book classification schemes require certain parts and features to make them
workable, via: (a) schedules, (b) notation, (c) index, (d) class or classes for general
 works, (e) class or classes for books in which the presentation is more important
than the subject matter, (f) facilities for making special collection of books, and (g)
auxiliary schedules and tables, used within the notation for indicating aspects that
occur constantly in several different subject.

Dewey Decimal Classification : Brief Information of DDC

History of Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC)
The Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) system is a general knowledge classification
tool used in library classification that is continuously revised to keep pace with current
knowledge. This system first published in the United States of America by Melvil Dewey
in 1876. Currently DDC is published by OCLC (Online Computer Library Center), and it
is the most widely used classification system in the world translated into more than 30
languages. It has been revised and expended through 23 major editions and the latest
issued in 2011.

Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) is the most popular of all the modern library
classification schemes. It was devised by Melville Dewey in 1876. It provides a systematic
arrangement of all the materials mechanized by notation of great simplicity and apparent
flexibility. With the emergence of DDC, the principle of relative location of books on shelf
according to the subject became perfectly feasible and it replaced the then existing
practice of a fixed location, when a certain number of shelves were allotted to each subject
and each book was identified by the shelf number and its position on the shelf. As a matter
of fact, all our decimal fraction notation, but for the convenience of remembering the
number, the decimal point is inserted after the third digit. Sub-divisions are carried out
decimally and all numbers are read as decimals. At each stage, there are nine coordinate
divisions whenever there are more than nine divisions of equal status, the eight are
named and the remaining are covered in the nine division i.e. ‘others’. The use of simple
and pure notation that is Indian numbers, provision of form division andrelative index has
made DDC very popular.

Different Editions of DDC:

Year of Total
Edition Editiors
Publication Pages
1st edition 1876 44 Melvil Dewey
2nd edition 1885 314 Melvil Dewey & W.S. Biscoe
3rd edition 1888 416 Melvil Dewey & W.S. Biscoe
4th edition 1891 466 E. May Seymour
5th edition 1894 467 E. May Seymour
6th edition 1899 511 E. May Seymour
7th edition 1911 792 E. May Seymour
8th edition 1913 850 E. May Seymour
9th edition 1915 856 E. May Seymour
10th edition 1919 940 E. May Seymour
11th edition 1922 988 J. Dorkas Fellows
12th edition 1927 1243 J. Dorkas Fellows
13 edition 1932 1647 J. Dorkas Fellows & M.W. Ge tchell
Constantin Mazney & M. W.
14 edition 1942 1927
Getchell
15 edition 1951 716 Milton J. Fergusom
15 revised edition 1952 927 Godfrey Dewey
16 edition 1958 2439 Benjamin A. Custer & D. Haykin
17 edition 1965 2153 Benjamin A. Custer & D. Haykin
18 edition 1971 2718 Benjamin A. Custer
19 edition 1979 3385 Benjamin A. Custer
20 edition 1989 3388 Benjamin A. Custer
21 edition 1996 4115 J.P. Comaromi
22 edition 2003 4076 J. Mitchell
23 edition 2011 J. Mitchell

Features of the Dewey Decimal Classification:

Decimal Classification is an almost enumerative scheme of classification. Since 1876 to

2011(23rd edition) this scheme did not look back, and its popularity has grown day by day
throughout the world. This statement can be justified by the fact that DC has been
translated into many languages, such as Chinese, Spanish, Danish, Turkish, Japanese,
Hindi, Portuguese, Sinhalese and several other languages across the globe. Dewey
introduced the notion of using notation for the subjects in his scheme and applying the
notation to the book and not to the shelves. But certain features forming the basis of its
present form can be still recognized as follows:

1. Universal Scheme: A distinctive feature of the DDC is that its classes reflect all
the areas of specialized knowledge developed in modern society. These
specialized areas are loosely put together in the main classes in the scheme, able
it in this manner the principle of collation of bringing of related subjects in close
proximity is sometimes violated.
2. Relative Location: In his scheme, Melvil Dewey introduced the brainwave of
‘relative location’ as opposed to ‘fixed location.’ For this purpose, he utilized the
decimal notation consisting of Arabic numerals for the subjects and assigning that
notation to the books on the basis of thought content and not on the basis of the
shelves. In this method, a new book on a given subject may be put in between the
existing sequence at the required position, directed by the notation assigned to
that book and there is no necessity to put the book at the end of the sequence as
had been the practice in “fixed location.”
3. Decimal Notation: Melvil Dewey used decimal fraction notation for the
arrangement of knowledge on the shelves. Indo-Arabic numerals (0 to 9) are used
decimally for the sub-divisions of knowledge. In this process, the universe of
subjects is divided into ten main classes, each of which is again divided into ten
divisions. Again each division is further divided into ten sections. At each stage of
division, a given number is sub-divided decimally. All the class numbers in DDC
are decimal fractions.
4. Minute Division: The first edition of DDC consisted of only 42 pages and at that
time, it was criticized for its being too broad in its sub-division. The number of
pages had since been increasing as shown in Table 1. This growth suggests the
enormous number of sub-divisions which are possible and useful for minute
classification. Dewey emphasized the need of minute division as “the advantage
of close classing is unquestioned if the user knows just what it is.”
5. Mnemonics: Another important feature of DDC is mnemonics, which means ‘aid
to memory.’ In DDC, mnemonics are available for subject synthesis. The use of
consistent order in the subject division of different classes produces mnemonics.
There are various tables, such as, Area Table, Language Table, Standard Division
Table, etc. which are used to achieve subject synthesis. The user may also find
Scheduled Mnemonics, Systematic Mnemonics and Alphabetical Mnemonics at a
few places in DDC.
6. Integrity of Numbers: One of the most important features of DDC is the integrity
of numbers. To incorporate new developments and to keep pace with the growth
of knowledge, a scheme of classification should be revised continually, without
changing the basic structure, so that the professionals may accept the revised
edition without hesitation.
7. Auxiliary Tables: Auxiliary tables provide an important basis for preparing
numbers and lead to uniform meanings of numbers when used in various contexts.
A document, which is a source of knowledge, always has some physical form.
Melvil Dewey in the second edition of the scheme published in 1885 introduced
the concept of “Form Divisions” to be used for the sub-divisions of a subject based
on the characteristics of documents, either in accordance with the point of view of
the author, i.e. Bibliographical, Philosophical, Theoretical, Historical or in
accordance with the form of thought content in documents, i.e. Digest, Manual,
Monograph, Dictionary, Periodical or Manual. The “form divisions,” could be
attached to any class number according to the instructions provided therein. The
system of ‘form divisions’ remained in use up to the 12th edition. The 13th edition
consisted of 5 “Auxiliary Schedules.” The 14th edition had 4 tables. In the 15th
edition, the conventional 9 form divisions, i.e. 01-09 were annexed along with the
tables, without any detailed sub-divisions. The word ‘Form divisions’ was replaced
by “Standard Subdivisions’ in the 17thedition, along with new area table in volume
2(Index). The 18th, 19th and 20th editions consist of 7 auxiliary tables which are
detailed under DDC 20.
Structure of Dewey Decimal Classification:

1. Schedule: A basic premise of DDC is that it is arranged by discipline and not by

subject. At the broadest level, the DDC is divided into ten main classes, which
together cover the entire world of knowledge. Each main class is further divided
into ten divisions, and each division into ten sections (not all the numbers for the
divisions and sections have been used). The three summaries of the DDC are as
given:
2. Summaries: Summaries provide an overview of the intellectual and notational
structure of classes. Three types of summaries appear in the schedules and tables
of DDC. The summaries of the schedules as a whole are found at the front of the
schedules (Volume 2-3). Single level summaries in the schedules and tables
provide an overview of classes that have sub-divisions extending over more than
two pages. Multi-level summaries are provided for eight major divisions and the
Area Tables for Europe and North America.

The First Summary: Contains the ten main classes. The first digit in each three-digit
number represents the main class.

000 Computers, information & general reference

100 Religion
200 Philosophy & psychology
300 Social sciences
400 Language
500 Science
600 Technology
700 Arts & recreation
800 Literature
900 History & geography

The Second Summary: Contains the hundred divisions. The second digit in each three-
digit number indicates the division.

000 Computer science, knowledge & systems 500 Science

010 Bibliographies 510 Mathematics
020 Library & information sciences 520 Astronomy
030 Encyclopedias & books of facts 530 Physics
040 [Unassigned] 540 Chemistry
050 Magazines, journals & serials 550 Earth sciences & geology
060 Associations, organizations & museums 560 Fossils & prehistoric life
070 News media, journalism & publishing 570 Life sciences; biology
080 Quotations 580 Plants (Botany)
090 Manuscripts & rare books 590 Animals (Zoology)
100 Philosophy 600 Technology
110 Metaphysics 610 Medicine & health
120 Epistemology 620 Engineering
130 Parapsychology & occultism 630 Agriculture
140 Philosophical schools of thought 640 Home & family management
150 Psychology 650 Management & public relations
160 Logic 660 Chemical engineering
170 Ethics 670 Manufacturing
180 Ancient, medieval & eastern philosophy 680 Manufacture for specific uses
190 Modern western philosophy 690 Building & construction
200 Religion
210 Philosophy & theory of religion 700 Arts
220 The Bible 710 Landscaping & area planning
230 Christianity & Christian theology 720 Architecture
240 Christian practice & observance 730 Sculpture, ceramics & metalwork
250 Christian pastoral practice & religious 740 Drawing & decorative arts
orders 750 Painting
260 Christian organization, social work & 760 Graphic arts
worship 770 Photography & computer art
270 History of Christianity 780 Music
280 Christian denominations 790 Sports, games & entertainment
290 Other religions
800 Literature, rhetoric & criticism
300 Social sciences, sociology & anthropology
810 American literature in English
310 Statistics
820 English & Old English literatures
320 Political science
830 German & related literatures
330 Economics
840 French & related literatures
340 Law
850 Italian, Romanian & related
350 Public administration & military science
literatures
360 Social problems & social services
860 Spanish & Portuguese literatures
370 Education
870 Latin & Italic literatures
380 Commerce, communications &
880 Classical & modern Greek
transportation
literatures
390 Customs, etiquette & folklore
890 Other literatures
900 History
400 Language
910 Geography & travel
410 Linguistics
920 Biography & genealogy
420 English & Old English languages
930 History of ancient world (to ca.
430 German & related languages
499)
440 French & related languages
940 History of Europe
450 Italian, Romanian & related languages
950 History of Asia
460 Spanish & Portuguese languages
960 History of Africa
470 Latin & Italic languages
970 History of North America
480 Classical & modern Greek languages
980 History of South America
490 Other languages
990 History of other areas
The Third Summary: contains thousand sections. The third digit in each three-digit
number indicates the section. Thus 530 is used for general works on physics, 531 for
classical mechanics, 532 for fluid mechanics, 533 for gas mechanics. Arabic numerals
are used to represent each class in the DDC. A decimal point follows the third digit in a
class number, after which division by ten continues to the specific degree of classification
needed.

DDC Relative Index:

Relative index is appended to the schedules of book classification. It is the most important
feature of this scheme; arranged in an alphabetical order and aims to include all topics
expressed or implied in the main tables together with every likely synonym. The index is
comprehensive one but exhaustive. The topics which are further sub-divided in the table
are entered in the bold face type. The specific items in the sub-divisions are entered
directly under their own name. The index is relative in the sense that each phase of the
subject is noted. If a topic is treated in two or more classes, the number it takes in each
group is taken. The use of the index is not limited to locating topic in the tables, it has
equal value in locating topic on the shelves and in fact the reader’s key to the shelf
arrangement in every library in which the DDC is being used.

Revision of the Scheme:

The main method of revision has been the result of publication of new editions. Revisions
usually take the following forms: Expansion, Relocation, and Reduction and Phoenix
schedules. The last form is the most far-reaching form of revision. However, “DDC &
Decimal Classification: additions, notes and decision’ is a beneficial means by which
modifications can be announced in advance of a forthcoming latest edition.

Web Dewey (Online DDC)

About Web Dewey
Users of DDC who started with the print version and later moved onto the Electronic
version had long been requesting for more frequent institutional update of the Dewey
database, hypertext linking and many other enhancements that are most effectively
delivered in a browser-based setting. Apart from this, there is a very strong general
trend from CDS to the Web today. Hence, Web-based access to an enhanced version
of the DDC database is available through what is known as Web Dewey. The key
features of Web Dewey include:
 An easy to use, browser based interface that allows you to search the DDC
(and related terminology) efficiently and navigate intuitively.
 Thousands of Relative Index terms and built numbers not available in the
print DDC.
 Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) that have been intellectually
mapped to Dewey headings by DDC editors.
  Selected LCSH mappings from the new OCLC Forest Press publication,
People, Places & Things.
 LCSH that have been statistically mapped to Dewey numbers from records in
the World Cat (the OCLC Online Union Catalog).
 Links from mapped LCSH to the LCSH authority records.
 Quarterly updates, incorporating the latest changes to the Classification and
new LCSH mappings, index terms and built numbers.
 An annotation capability, which allows you to add your own notes into Web
Dewey to reflect local classification practices.
The Web Dewey database includes the most current version of the DDC (DDC 23
and all updates since its publication in 2003), plus supplemental data. It is updated
quarterly and mainly contains records for Dewey entry numbers from the schedules
and tables, records for entries in the DDC manual, the DDC Relative Index and
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) associated with Dewey class
numbers.
The Web Dewey is available through the Dewey Services option of the OCLC
connection service. There are two basic options: the user can search or browse for a
subject or class number or can simply move to the Dewey schedule or tables, from
the search of the browse screen, and follow the hierarchy of the classes.