Discusses theoretical and practical progress made in the classification of information for retrieval in the last 20 years and suggests alternatives to the Dewey Decimal and Library of Congress classification systems. (JVP)

Offers illustrations of anomalies and prejudices found in common information retrieval tools: "LC Subject Headings" (9th edition), "Dewey Decimal Classification" (19th edition), "Universal Decimal Classification" (3rd abridged edition). Index terms in areas of sexual bias, social strata, politics, knowledge, customs,…

Perreault's essay presents a critical review of "The Joy of Cataloging," a collection of 44 essays, addresses, reviews, and letters by Sanford Berman, head cataloger at the Hennepin County Library (HCL) in Edina, Minnesota. Cataloging principles ascribed to Berman include naturalness and fullness of language, file integration,…

This discussion of the classification of African literature in major schemes provides a review of the literature and examples from Library of Congress and Dewey Decimal classifications. A proposed class (PV) comprising categories of general African literature, African literature in European languages, and African literature in indigenous languages…

The retiring editor of Dewey Decimal Classification recounts the development of the system from the 16th through the 19th editions, i.e., 1956-1980. During this period, the system has undergone major changes to internationalize its character. Special provisions have been incorporated for branches of history, geography, language, literature, the…

Provides background and rationale for formulation and use of the KF Canadian Adaptation Scheme in Canadian law libraries and describes methodological approaches and applications of the scheme to diverse and specific situations. Recent developments in its maintenance and updating and suggestions for its potential use are highlighted. (EJS)

Presents a brief history of the Library of Congress (LC) Z schedule and recent LC modifications in the treatment of subject bibliography. Description of a university library system includes a schedule for political and social sciences subject bibliography (Z7161-7166) giving alternate class numbers for systematic placement of bibliographies. (17…

National bibliographic developments worldwide are planned with awareness of international context and of advantages of following internationally used standards. The information gap between librarians in rich and poor countries through unavailability of high technology in poor countries where international bibliographic tools are in use appears to…

Discusses categorization of MARC records, noting problems which arise because formats have not been defined as distinct sets of content designators. Bibliographic and authority record formats, merging of formats into single format, removal of inconsistencies, and criteria for identifying categories of records are considered. Thirty-one references…

This survey lists and comments upon recent classificatory writings which focus on various facets of the Christian tradition and identifies 179 articles and schemes devoted to theological classification: generalia, specific classifications (Dewey Decimal, Library of Congress, Roman Catholic, Union Theological Seminary, special schemes and…

Notes problems with cataloging library materials in the small and medium sized public library and suggests interpretations of the Anglo-American cataloging rules, with recommendations for their adaptation to smaller libraries. (CWM)

This paper presents ways in which libraries with a special emphasis on area studies handle the classification of their materials in order to provide a geographical approach to their collections. The systems described are those developed and used in six libraries in Great Britain and South Africa. (17 references) (Author/EJS)

Discussion of subject access through classification number searching in online library catalogs highlights the present classification climate, increased potential for classification retrieval, effect of past and present practice on effectiveness of class number access, and proposals for action. Thirty-two sources are given. (EJS)

Compares and contrasts museum registration and library cataloging processes, suggesting that differences in records management result from philosophical and historical differences. The feasibility and possible benefits of applying the competencies of library and information science to museum registration are discussed. (23 notes/references)…

This essay addresses the need to maintain authority control in machine-held catalogs as well as card catalogs. Highlights include retrospective conversion of library catalogs; the value of following Library of Congress (LC) cataloging practices; indifference to LC catalog conversion; and overcoming negative attitudes toward LC as an authority.…