Abridged Dewey Decimal Classification and Relative Index. Edition 13

Citation

Davis, S.W. (1998), "Abridged Dewey Decimal Classification and Relative Index. Edition 13", Asian Libraries, Vol. 7 No. 1, pp. 23-24. https://doi.org/10.1108/al.1998.7.1.23.1

As expected, the thirteenth edition of the Abridged Dewey Decimal Classification (ADDC13) has appeared one year after the latest edition (DDC21) of the unabridged version. Like its parent, ADDC13 is superbly bound in blue casing, printed from a constantly updated database, and available in both CD‐ROM and print formats. It is a faithful abridgment, unlike some earlier abridgments which tried to introduce independent numbers in some places. Thus there are few surprises if one has grown accustomed to the changes which were introduced recently in DDC21.

The publisher guarantees notification of future changes if one returns the vivid pink tearout form, which entitles one to receive DC&: Dewey Decimal Classification Additions, Notes and Decisions. Of course, many libraries using the unabridged edition will prefer to receive the annual updated CD‐ROM each year, as this integrates all additions and decisions. In addition, users are advised to use the Dewey Home Page (http://www.oclc.org/fp) on the Web. Julianne Beall will be placing three chapters entitled Online Book on the Home Page, which contains advice on how to use Dewey for Windows (DfW) efficiently and includes shortcuts she has learned while developing the software. A new version of DfW is expected at the end of 1997 (DfW 1.01), and this will show the thousand most frequently used built numbers in Dewey. There will also be a new feature on the Home Page which will include mapping for subject headings (that is, showing links between Dewey numbers and Library of Congress Subject Headings).

All of this is a marked improvement over the situation a few years ago, when new DDC editions left the classifier to wrestle with many decisions on how to apply particular sections of the classification scheme, some of which appeared to be ambiguous or in conflict. Another significant improvement is inclusion of the Manual as part of ADDC13; this is a fully integrated part of the classification apparatus and is indexed in the Relative Index. Another useful feature is the publication by OCLC Forest Press of a workbook for ADDC13 in 1997, almost simultaneously with the appearance of the new abridged edition. This has been prepared jointly by one of the editors, Gregory New, and this reviewer. In short, OCLC Forest Press have offered tremendous support for librarians, educators and students who are trying to familiarise themselves with changes in the new edition.

One expects DDC to continue growing. In fact, the growth of the abridged edition may concern some users: in the seven years since the publication of ADDC12, it has expanded from 857 pages to ADDC13’s 1023 pages plus a 30‐page insertion covering relocations and reductions, comparative tables, equivalence tables and reused numbers. In theoretical and practical terms ADDC has grown gradually by adding new numbers for new subjects, while maintaining the basic integrity of the body of the scheme. Indeed, the editor of DDC must treat any change in direction very cautiously if users are not to be alienated. This new edition is exemplary in this regard: for example, there is a complete but cautious revision of Public Administration (350‐354) and extensive revision of Education (370), with the cross‐classification for “Education for Women” being abandoned and the resulting gap being left for more revision in future editions. Rapidly growing disciplines such as computer science (004‐006) receive a further expansion to match the growth of the subject and to correct some of the earlier decisions in this subject area.

In contrast, a radical reclassification of the Life Sciences (560‐590) presents a major change of facet order, resulting in much shorter numbers for many common species. Thus 570 Biology (in general) has been completely revised and the facet order changed from Organism/Process in DDC20 to Process/Organism in DDC21. This reflects the change in scientific study by researchers. The positive side is that the changes include shorter or simpler numbers for many animals or topics (for example, 579 Zoological Specimens in ADDC13 instead of 590.75; 596 Land Vertebrates instead of 597.6). There are also numerous relocations, so many librarians in charge of smaller collections (ADDC13’s primary audience) who lack time to reclassify their stock in these revised areas may have to decide whether or not to adopt a no‐conflict rule (only change the classification numbers when a new work would place itself in a new location and thus separate itself from the old stock in the library).

The new editions of DDC show a continuing move towards universality. The most obvious example of this is in the number of languages in which it now appears: it has been translated into over 30 languages and is used in more than 135 countries, and in 95 per cent of US public and school libraries. Overall, both the editors and the users should be well satisfied with ADDC13. “…Intended for libraries with collections of 20,000 volumes or less” (p. xxiv), it will find a ready market in smaller libraries worldwide.