Notes: Knowledge Organisation - General Theory of Library Classification
1. Introduction to Classification Theories
The General Theory of Library Classification refers to the organized set of principles, rules, and normative guidelines that provide a scientific basis for designing, developing, and applying library classification schemes. Instead of relying purely on the intuition of classificationists, a solid theoretical foundation ensures that a classification system can systematically accommodate newly emerging subjects in the universe of knowledge.
2. Stages of Development
The evolution of library classification theory is broadly divided into two distinct historical and methodological stages:
- Stage 1: Descriptive Theory (Pre-1950s) - Empirical and based on existing practices.
- Stage 2: Dynamic Theory (1950s Onwards) - Scientific, predictive, and based on fundamental postulates.
3. Stage 1: Descriptive Theory
Timeline: 1898 to Early 1950s
Nature & Functions: Descriptive theory was distilled directly from the practical experience of designing schemes. It was a retrospective, post-facto theory meant to describe and validate contemporary practices. It functioned well for the static or slowly growing universe of subjects of that era but struggled to mechanize the placement of newly emerging, complex multi-disciplinary subjects.
Key Founders & Important Publications:
- James Duff Brown (J.D. Brown)
- Publication/Launch: Subject Classification (1906).
- Core Contribution: Formulated the "One-Place" theory, advocating that every subject should be classified in one and only one place regardless of its standpoint.
- Ernest Cushing Richardson (E.C. Richardson)
- Publication/Launch: Classification: Theoretical and Practical (1901).
- Core Contribution: First to formulate the "Criteria of Classification." He argued that library classification should follow the historical sequence and the natural "order of things."
- E. Wyndham Hulme
- Publication/Launch: Principles of Book Classification (Published sequentially in 1911-1912).
- Core Contribution: Propounded the principle of Literary Warrant, meaning a class should only be created if there is existing literature (books/documents) to justify it.
- W.C. Berwick Sayers
- Publication/Launch: Canons of Classification (1915) and A Manual of Classification for Librarians and Bibliographers (1926).
- Core Contribution: Known as the first "grammarian" of library classification. He systematically deduced a set of "Canons" (rules) from existing schemes like DDC and Expansive Classification.
- Henry Evelyn Bliss (H.E. Bliss)
- Publication/Launch: The Organization of Knowledge in Libraries (1933) and Bibliographic Classification (published in volumes from 1940 to 1953).
- Core Contribution: Developed the concepts of "Scientific and Educational Consensus" and "Alternative Location," ensuring schedules aligned with the accepted scientific thinking of the time.
- Classification Research Group (CRG)
- Founding / Parent Organisation: Independent collective of information scientists.
- Date of Launch: Formed in London in 1952.
- Core Contribution: Deeply analyzed and expanded upon faceted classification theories, shaping modern indexing and British classification standards.
4. Stage 2: Dynamic Theory
Timeline: 1950s to Present
Founder & Chief Architect: Dr. S.R. Ranganathan.
Nature & Functions: Unlike its predecessor, the Dynamic Theory is predictive and forward-looking. It is capable of carving out a self-perpetuating methodology for designing classification schemes. It can independently accommodate the infinite, multi-dimensional, and turbulent growth of the universe of knowledge by breaking subjects into elemental facets.
Important Publications & Dates:
- Prolegomena to Library Classification - 1st Edition (1937): Bridged descriptive theory by evaluating schemes against 28 canons.
- Prolegomena to Library Classification - 2nd Edition (1957): Officially consolidated and introduced the Dynamic Theory.
- Prolegomena to Library Classification - 3rd Edition (1967): Advanced the dynamic theory with an updated hierarchy of normative principles.
Steps & Three Planes of Work (Ranganathan’s Methodology):
- Idea Plane (The Conceptual Step): The most crucial phase. It involves thinking, analyzing the specific subject of a document, and breaking it down into its fundamental facets (Personality, Matter, Energy, Space, Time - PMEST).
- Verbal Plane (The Terminology Step): Involves expressing the analyzed concepts using standard, homonym-free, and synonym-free terminology to ensure uniform understanding.
- Notational Plane (The Translation Step): The final step where the standardized terms are translated into an artificial language of ordinal numbers (class numbers) to mechanize arrangement on the shelves.
Hierarchy of Normative Principles:
The Dynamic Theory operates on a strict hierarchy of governing rules:
- Basic Laws: Laws of thought that apply to any discipline (e.g., Law of Impartiality, Law of Symmetry, Law of Parsimony).
- Fundamental Laws: The Five Laws of Library Science (Published in 1931), serving as the ultimate court of appeal for library operations.
- Canons: Specific rules applicable to the three planes of work (e.g., Canons for Characteristics, Canons for Array, Canons for Chain).
- Principles: Guidelines specifically for determining the helpful sequence of facets (e.g., Principle of Later-in-Time, Principle of Spatial Contiguity).
- Postulates: Statements assumed to be true without proof to facilitate facet analysis (e.g., Postulates of Fundamental Categories).