Classification in Theory and Practice (Chandos Series for Information Professionals)

Book Description

Summary: This book covers all of the major library classification schemes in use in Europe, UK and US; it includes practical exercises to demonstrate their application. Importantly, the book includes classifying electronic resources. The aim of the book is to demystify a very complex subject, and to provide a sound theoretical underpinning, together with practical advice and development of practical skills. The book fills the gap between more complex theoretical texts and those books with a purely practical approach. The book concentrates purely on classification rather than cataloguing and indexing, ensuring a more in-depth coverage of the topic. Key Features: · Covers the latest Dewey Decimal Classification, 22nd edition · Provides practical advice on which schemes will be most suitable for different types of library collection · Covers classification of electronic resources and taxonomy construction The Author: Dr Batley is a senior lecturer at the London Metropolitan University with teaching and research in the areas of organisation and retrieval of information and knowledge resources. Readership: The book is aimed at library and information practitioners; students of librarianship, information studies and information management. Contents: Introduction - classification theory; library classification schemes; enumerative schemes: basic principles; faceted schemes: basic principles. Classification schemes for general collections - Dewey Decimal Classification: coverage; structure; notation; practical exercises; Library of Congress Classification: coverage; structure; notation; practical exercises. Classification schemes for specialist collections - Universal Decimal Classification: coverage; structure; notation; practical exercises; faceted schemes: creating a faceted classification scheme; structure: facets and sub-facets; notation. Classifying electronic resources - subject trees; taxonomies; ontologies.