A survey of 660 Pennsylvania school librarians indicates that, though there is limited professional interest in the Library of Congress Classification system, Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) appears to be firmly entrenched. This article also discusses the relative merits of DDC, the need for a uniform system, librarianship preparation, and…

After an historical and theoretical introduction, options for exploring an alternative LC class number for bibliographies, and problems that may arise are explored. LC now provides a general works number for most bibliographies it catalogs. The alternative number suggests a more representative classification which may increase retrieval.…

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)

Argues that classification schemes like LC and Dewey Decimal are not adequate devices for organizing and retrieving library materials, and suggests the use of two separate schemes, one for shelf arrangement of materials and the other to provide subject searching capability on automated systems, as a solution to the problem. (JL)

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…

Describes and evaluates several fiction classification systems from the perspective of how well they answer likely reader queries regarding subjects of novels, and their utility for browsing. The usefulness of subject headings for card catalogs and print and online indexes to enhance topical access to fiction is discussed. (Author/MBR)

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)

Proposes an automated document classification system based on the Gray code, information-theoretic considerations, and requirements of classification systems including objectivity, inclusion, linearity, and increasing distance-dissimilarity. A measure to evaluate system performance is developed, and the proposed system is compared with the Library…

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…

These three articles address issues in library cataloging that are affected by automation: (1) the impact of automation and bibliographic utilities on professional catalogers; (2) the effect of the LASS microcomputer software on the cost of authority work in cataloging at the University of Arizona; and (3) online subject heading and classification…

Discussion of the changing environment and role of the school media specialist focuses on the adaptation of the Library of Congress classification, professional standards, staffing, the possibility of keeping school libraries open in the summer, the librarian as evaluator of material content rather than organizer, and school librarians as…

Precoordination of Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH), in both the LCSH thesaurus and online public access catalog (OPAC) browse displays, continues to be necessary for several reasons: (1) the meaning of thousands of LCSH headings depends on their word order in ways that cannot be captured by postcoordinate Boolean combinations or by…

From the library's viewpoint, collection growth and the need to frequently update index terms make automation almost inevitable. But this triumph of technology over print is hard on scholars, who find microforms and printouts difficult to read and who cannot browse a database like a shelf or card catalog. (SJL)

Discussion of the acquisition of foreign research publications focuses on a study that assessed the extent of bibliographic control of foreign published materials in bibliographic utilities. Highlights include a review of previous studies; sources and quality of bibliographic records; timeliness; and presence of Library of Congress Classification…