Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Acknowledgements
- 1 Introduction
- 2 The need for classification
- 3 First principles of classification
- 4 The variety of classification: systems and structures
- 5 The classification scheme: internal structure
- 6 Types of classification scheme
- 7 Order in the classification scheme
- 8 Content analysis 1: document description
- 9 Content analysis 2: practical constraints
- 10 Controlled indexing languages
- 11 Word-based approaches to retrieval
- 12 Library of Congress Subject Headings 1: basic headings
- 13 Library of Congress Subject Headings 2: structured headings
- 14 Classification scheme application
- 15 Library of Congress Classification 1: basic classmark construction
- 16 Library of Congress Classification 2: use of tables
- 17 Dewey Decimal Classification 1: general properties and basic numbers
- 18 Dewey Decimal Classification 2: number building
- 19 Universal Decimal Classification 1: general properties and basic number building
- 20 Universal Decimal Classification 2: auxiliary tables
- 21 Faceted classification
- 22 Managing classification
- 23 Classification in digital space
- Glossary
- Bibliography and further reading
- Index
9 - Content analysis 2: practical constraints
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 08 June 2018
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Acknowledgements
- 1 Introduction
- 2 The need for classification
- 3 First principles of classification
- 4 The variety of classification: systems and structures
- 5 The classification scheme: internal structure
- 6 Types of classification scheme
- 7 Order in the classification scheme
- 8 Content analysis 1: document description
- 9 Content analysis 2: practical constraints
- 10 Controlled indexing languages
- 11 Word-based approaches to retrieval
- 12 Library of Congress Subject Headings 1: basic headings
- 13 Library of Congress Subject Headings 2: structured headings
- 14 Classification scheme application
- 15 Library of Congress Classification 1: basic classmark construction
- 16 Library of Congress Classification 2: use of tables
- 17 Dewey Decimal Classification 1: general properties and basic numbers
- 18 Dewey Decimal Classification 2: number building
- 19 Universal Decimal Classification 1: general properties and basic number building
- 20 Universal Decimal Classification 2: auxiliary tables
- 21 Faceted classification
- 22 Managing classification
- 23 Classification in digital space
- Glossary
- Bibliography and further reading
- Index
Summary
In the last chapter we looked at how to make a document analysis on an objective basis, identifying all the likely sought terms and arranging them in an ‘ideal’ order.
In the real world two things will cause you to make some modifications to your ideal statement of content:
• the operating rules of the classification you're using
• the needs of the users as reflected in the library's own practices.
The first of these will be covered in the chapters on how to apply particular classifications. In this chapter we shall look at how to modify your objective statements to meet local requirements.
Broad and close classification
The problem of how exactly books need to be arranged is an old and thorny one. Librarians have usually decided to make precise classmarks for their books, whereas booksellers make broader groupings. The philosophy underpinning this is doubtless that the bookseller wishes the customer to browse, and to look at as many books as possible. Librarians, on the other hand, want readers to find the book most closely related to their information needs.
When the retrieval function is more important than browsing, documents must be given classmarks that reflect as nearly as possible their subjects. We call this close classification.
In the UK in the 1980s, a fashion arose for much less precise classification, the remains of which practice can be seen in many public libraries today. Instead of applying a conventional classification such as DDC, books were allocated to a category such as travel, sport or hobbies. Such a system was known as categorization or reader interest classification. The case for such schemes was founded on users’ alleged lack of understanding of traditional classification (which is probably true), but savings in time and money undoubtedly played a part. A balance was being struck between the effort expended in cataloguing books and the perceived lack of need for this at the consumer end.
This is an extreme example of the conflict between broad and close classification, between browsing and retrieval, but many libraries nowadays will give some consideration to how much time they spend on creating records and whether the work involved is really necessary.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Essential Classification , pp. 75 - 88Publisher: FacetPrint publication year: 2015