Classification and Subject Analysis

Jeeya S -

Hello fellow classmates, this is Jeeya

Classification is the systematic arrangement by subject of books and other materials on shelves in such a way that users can find the item they are looking for. It is used to arrange items in a logical order on library shelves and to group like subjects or material types together. There are different classification systems in use throughout the world. Each of these systems have guidelines for their use. The two most common classification systems used in the U.S. are: the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) and the Library of Congress Classification System (LCC). Now, some of you may be asking how this is this important to digital cataloging. The answer is: classification numbers can also be access points in the OPAC. Most libraries index the classification number, and if the number is indexed, it is searchable.

Subject analysis uses controlled vocabulary to tell what the item is about and/or to describe what the item is. When doing subject analysis, carefully examine the item to determine what the item is about and the intent of the author. Catalogers should avoid personal value judgments regarding topics or materials. Subject headings should not be assigned to reflect a cataloger’s opinion about the contents. There are many subject headings systems in use throughout the world. Each of these systems have guidelines for their use and a set of controlled vocabulary. The two most common ones used in the U.S. are Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) and Sears List of Subject Headings.

 

Quick update on physically importing and editing MARC records: I have begun my initial steps on learning to edit mass amounts of data! I have begun practicing on a Polaris training database and while I only know how to edit each individual record, I am learning how to create record sets and edit them all at the same time on MARC Edit!!

 

Tune in next time for a riveting discussion on Metadata!

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Comments:

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    sandhya_s
    Hi Jeeya! This project sounds very fascinating! I'm curious to know, what are the key differences between the two classification systems you mentioned: DDC and LCC?
    March 6, 2025 at 5:47 pm - Reply
    allison_y
    Hello Jeeya! I love your work so far! I see that you’re learning to edit mass amounts of data using MARC Edit. What do you find most interesting about this process, and what skills are you focusing on developing?
    March 8, 2025 at 1:51 pm - Reply
    camille_bennett
    Hi Jeeya, it sounds like you are really learning these systems! I never knew so much went into cataloging books! In subject analysis, you mentioned the importance of avoiding personal value judgments. How do catalogers ensure objectivity in subject headings, especially when interpreting materials with complex or controversial topics?
    March 11, 2025 at 10:47 am - Reply
    jeeya_s
    Thank you for asking Sandy! DDC uses a numeric system with ten main classes (000-999), further divided into more specific numbers using decimals. LCC uses an alphanumeric system, with 21 main classes identified by a single letter of the alphabet (A-Z), with further subdivisions using letters and numbers.
    March 14, 2025 at 12:23 am - Reply
    jeeya_s
    Thank you for asking Allison! Currently, I am most interested in how to catch common spelling errors in the fields, which I am not certain can be done in MARC I hope to learn how to use OpenRefine for this very task in future development
    March 14, 2025 at 12:28 am - Reply
    jeeya_s
    Thank you for asking Ms. Bennett! Truthfully, as a young teen it is hard to remain objective and I am not entirely sure how catalogers do it. Perhaps they screen their text and watch out for certain key words like "good" or "bad" that offer judgment. Perhaps they have second opinions by people of differing values. Perhaps at the end of the day, librarians remember that the point of a library is to ensure the availability of all knowledge, and it is up to other people to form their own opinions.
    March 14, 2025 at 12:36 am - Reply

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