How Classifications Work: Problems and Challenges in an Electronic Age

Citation

de P. Roper, V. (2001), "How Classifications Work: Problems and Challenges in an Electronic Age", New Library World, Vol. 102 No. 3, pp. 111-115. https://doi.org/10.1108/nlw.2001.102.3.111.5

In the introduction, Bowker and Leigh refer to the statement by Albrechisen in which he says that “Classification is the sleeping beauty of library and information science”, and such a statement could be applied to the whole of this issue of Library Trends. It would be difficult to select any one chapter which had a greater impact than any other. The chapters are soundly constructed, well researched and with impeccable bibliographic references. Although the majority of references throughout the publication reflect recent works, there are sufficient old favourites to indicate solid foundation in theory. Each of the contributors shows both academic standing with the ability to communicate, and practical working expertise related to the art of decision making in all forms of classification. The emphasis on classification does not ignore the importance of the relationship with cataloguing, and its ability to describe materials with terminology which allows both old and new relationships to be explored. The old principle of Dewey that the benefits of classification are that not only can the classifier group material in terms of relationship, and separate it in terms of its differences but, having placed material, one can always find it at a later date. The difficulties of relocation at a later date are part of the chapter by Tobias which deals with the use of dated subject headings to describe contemporary application to current research. The ability to accept non‐national terminology to describe scientific progress for the domestic market reflects the preparedness to accept that other nationalities may have more precise or self‐explanatory words to offer the domestic market, i.e. the acknowledgement of “green card” language. It is refreshing to see grounded theory practised in the development of faceted classification. As Star says, “… A comparison of grounded theory and faceted classification offers some important cross‐fertilization in addressing these situations and lines of research …” Grounded theory depends on keeping an open mind to see where progress will take one rather than working from a preconceived script which will inevitably contain the prejudices of the original author.

It is very refreshing to find that nobody wants to re‐invent electronic application of classification; rather than re‐invention we have appreciation of the application. Each author uses their own environment to use today’s subject expertise to demonstrate the universal application of accepted principles. For example, Spasser using “DSM” with its own classification arrangements for the exploitation of materials on psychiatric studies. This is in no way contrary to the principle of Bliss that classification should be related to industrial and educational accepted tenets.

This issue of Library Trends should be recommended reading for all students of the relationship of classification theory to the problems of the twenty‐first century.