Classification Made Simple (2nd ed.)

Citation

Duckett, B. (2003), "Classification Made Simple (2nd ed.)", Library Review, Vol. 52 No. 3, pp. 133-134. https://doi.org/10.1108/00242530310457013

The longer we librarians are subjected to uncritical keyword indexing, computers that file “The” and “A” as if they were sought terms, and the mindless culture of surfing, the more needful become the forgotten and neglected skills of “cat and class”. Somewhat wearily and reluctantly, I find I have to instruct each new batch of graduates who join the staff on the mysteries of class numbers, the minefield of subject terms and the need for authority files. Whatever the technology, the basics are the same, and none is more basic than the need to classify. Eric Hunter underlines the importance of classification by starting his book with the silhouettes of a male figure and a female figure. Classification is as basic as that! Other line drawings follow to illustrate some of the principles. Once the basic points have been made, though, we are quickly into the intricacies of facet classification and hierarchical enumeration – the phrase “analytico‐synthetic” makes its appearance as early as page eight!

Facet classification rather dominates the book. Readers – students at “library schools” I guess – are shown how to identify facets, add notation, choose a citation order, use a filing order, and compile an index. Examples from published faceted schemes follow, of machine bolts, construction, business studies, Colon and the 1991 Broad System of Ordering. Chapters then follow on hierarchical classification, featuring topics such as orders in array, citation order, notation, indexes (relative), and once again there are examples from published schemes such as Dewey, Library of Congress, and specialized schemes for office organization, local collections, and computing.

Following these come some chapters with such frightening headings as “The use of synthesis in a basically enumerative scheme” (number building using auxiliary schedules, with examples from Dewey and Bliss); and “Synthesis grafted on to an enumerative scheme” (UDC and the revised edition of Bliss). A brief chapter lists the advantages and disadvantages of facet and enumerative classification; then there is “More about notation” (uniqueness, simplicity, brevity, etc.) with practical examples from several of the schemes already featured, plus the NATO Codification system, the London Education Classification, Uniclass, and the British Catalogue of Music Classification. The chapter “More about schedule and citation order” features citation versus schedule order, facet formulae, and sub‐facets. A chapter on other features of classification schemes looks at the generalia class, literary warrant, and main class order.

From instruction into the detail of classification and classification schemes, the author turns to the use of classification in, for example, indexing and search strategies. Authority lists and thesauri are introduced, together with chain indexing, PRECIS and COMPASS. Finally, and new to this second edition (the first was 1988), we come to the Internet. The author looks at the use of classification by search engines, the use of conventional classification schemes, OPACS, classifying electronic documents, and automatic classification. A “Conclusion” draws all the topics together in a sort of glorified resumé. There is a good bibliography and an (alphabetico‐classed!) index.

This is a smartly produced and well‐organized little book. It gave me a strong sense of déja‐vu, having, myself, been thoroughly indoctrinated into the world of PMEST, chain indexing, facet analyses, retroactive notation and the work of the Classification Research Group (no one seems to have needed classifiers since then!). It was refreshing to see that new classification schemes continue to be born, but I’m not sure I would use this book on the new generation of the classification‐naive. The book is more a primer of how to construct a faceted classification – the example of the estate agent’s scheme goes on for 13 pages – and understanding specific features of classification schemes. It would be of little use to understanding the major schemes for practical classification purposes. The layout and content work well in highlighting analytical issues in classification. Students of faceted classification and those needing to construct a scheme will find the book helpful.