13 Facts About Library classification

Library classification is a system of organization of knowledge by which library resources are arranged and ordered systematically.

Library classification is an aspect of library and information science.

Library classification can be defined as the arrangement of books on shelves, or description of them, in the manner which is most useful to those who read with the ultimate aim of grouping similar things together.

Library classification is meant to achieve these four purposes like ordering the fields of knowledge in a systematic way, bring related items together in the most helpful sequence, provide orderly access on the shelve, and provide a location for an item on the shelf.

The earliest library classification schemes organized books in broad subject categories.

The purpose of Advice on Establishing a Library classification was to identify rules for private book collectors to organize their collections in a more orderly way to increase the collection's usefulness and beauty.

Naude developed a Library classification system based on seven different classes: theology, medicine, jurisprudence, history, philosophy, mathematics and the humanities.

Advice on Establishing a Library classification was about a private library, but within the same book, Naude encouraged the idea of public libraries open to all people regardless of their ability to pay for access to the collection.

Newer Library classification systems tend to use the principle of synthesis heavily, which is comparatively lacking in LC or DDC.

Library classification is associated with library cataloging under the rubric of cataloging and classification, sometimes grouped together as technical services.

Library classification systems are one of the two tools used to facilitate subject access.

Some Library classification systems are more suitable for aiding subject access, rather than for shelf location.

Similarly faceted Library classification schemes are more difficult to use for shelf arrangement, unless the user has knowledge of the citation order.