UNIT 1 BASICS OF CLASSIFICATION

Structure
1.0 Learning Outcomes
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Classification Basics
1.2.1 Meaning and Definition of Classification
1.2.2 Hierarchy in Classification

1.3 Knowledge Classification

1.4 Library Classification
1.4.1 Purpose of Library Classification
1.4.2 Approaches to Library Classification
1.4.3 Library Classification Schemes

1.5 Steps to Assigning Classification Numbers

1.5.1 Some Principles of Classification
1.5.2 Some Useful Videos to Classification

1.6 Uses and Limitations of Library Classification

1.6.1 Uses of Classification in Electronic Environment
1.6.2 Limitations of Classification

1.7 Summary
1.8 Answers to Self Check Exercises
1.9 Keywords
1.10 References and Further Reading

1.0 LEARNING OUTCOMES

After reading this Unit, you will be able to:
 define classification and know its various meanings;
 understand the basic concepts of classification;
 explain the need of classification;
 describe how classification is done in libraries;
 discuss the various library classification systems in brief; and
 discuss the limitations of classification.

1.1 INTRODUCTION
Classification is something that we all do intuitively in our daily life and see around us
lots of examples that illustrate classification. We classify animals, plants, birds, languages
and many other entities into groups based on what is common in them. For example, in
a grocery store frozen foods and canned foods are found in separate areas; in a mall
electrical goods and cooking goods are kept in separate areas. We group like things
7
Classification together so that it is easier to find. This Unit deals with library classification. It addresses
the subject in greater detail from the library perspective, describing the fundamental
approaches to library classification, its need and purpose in a library, various classification
systems in use in libraries world over, and the steps to assigning classification numbers
in a library, and the uses and limitations of library classification.

1.2 CLASSIFICATION BASICS

Classification is simply the process of bringing in order in a chaos; categorisation is
done for bringing in order, separating like things from the unlike ones. For categorisation
of items some sort of characteristic is applied like age, gender, language, religion,
educational qualification, etc. The sorted things are further collected in groups. For
example, we see lot of chaos in the following example:
Mercury Truck Lily Pea Venus Taxi Apple Onion Marigold Potato Banana Rose
Train Mars Orange Earth Cabbage Grapes Ship Pear Lotus Saturn Radish
Papaya Metro Carrot Daisy Pansy Neptune Aeroplane Cauliflower Mango
Bus Uranus Sunflower
This is because the items in the above example form a heterogeneous group. However,
some order can be brought by sorting items according to characteristics common to the
items. For instance, when we separate like things from the unlike ones we get the items
separated into following different groups.

Mercury Truck Lily Apple Pea

Venus Taxi Marigold Banana Onion
Mars Train Rose Orange Potato
Earth Ship Lotus Grapes Cabbage
Saturn Aeroplane Daisy Pear Radish
Neptune Bus Pansy Papaya Carrot
Uranus Metro Sunflower Mango Cauliflower

You may see that the order in the above example is the result of sorting things into likes
and dislikes according to some characteristic of division like planets, mode of transport,
flowers, fruits, vegetables. Thus classification is an attempt to bring order in chaos. This
illustrates that classification helps to organise and simplify the world around us.
Classification in a simple sense represents groups, for example Indians, Japanese,
Chinese, African, etc.
A fruit seller sorts his fruits into categories, say, oranges, apples, grapes, and so on.
Further each group, say, of apples is further sorted into varieties, Kashmiri apples,
Simla apples, Golden apples, Green apples, etc. An astute vendor may further sort
each species by quality and price. At every step of sorting a new characteristic is applied.
In this case, at the first level grouping, the characteristic applied is ‘species’. In the
second level of sorting, two characteristics have been applied: ‘place and colour’. For
further categorisation or sorting, ‘quality and price’ characteristics are applied. Take
another example; all the IGNOU students both male and female, belonging to various
religious and caste groups, coming from different states or regions, speaking different
languages, and having different political ideologies have one characteristic in common;
it is that they all are IGNOU students. In classification, a class can be of any size or it
may even have just a single entity. All Indians make one class. Similarly, all Christians
8 make another class, Roman Catholics make yet another class, Indian Roman Catholics
make yet another class, or Keralite Roman Catholics may make yet another class. A Basics of Classification
family is a class. There seems to be no end to making classes and subclasses of people
and various other entities.
Ordering (Arranging Items)
After grouping of items comes the process of ordering. Suppose you have six members
in your family. If you arrange their names alphabetically that will be ordering, that means
you have put them in a particular order. Ordering is very vital, we arrange all books,
periodicals, etc. in a library in a particular order.
Classification discovers relation between entities. All the members of a group are related
to one another by some common characteristic. When we admit a member into a group
it is because he has something in common with the group. For example, a book on
microchemistry is admitted into the broader group ‘chemistry’. Here, the common factor
is chemistry.
Classification removes chaos and brings in order. Imagine what will happen if students
of a school gather in a field for physical exercise without any order. There will be a total
chaos. Finding a particular student will be extremely difficult. The moment they are
asked to stand in lines according to their classes, immediately, there will be order, and
it will be easy to locate any student.

1.2.1 Meaning and Definition of Classification

According to Oxford English Dictionary classification is, “the action of classifying or
arranging in classes, according to common characteristics or affinities; assignment to
the proper class”.
The Longman Dictionary of the English Language defines classification as,
“systematic arrangement in groups or categories according to established criteria”.
The New International Webster’s Comprehensive Dictionary of the English
Language describes classification as, “the act, process or result of classifying”.

1.2.2 Hierarchy in Classification

Typically in a classification items are arranged in a hierarchical tree structure (like
classification systems used in biology). A group is divided or a member is included into
a group on the basis of some common characteristic. A characteristic is an attribute,
quality or property of an entity which relates it with or separates it from a group. For
example, a group of people may be divided into males and females. Here ‘gender’ is
the common characteristic of division. We may divide all students of a university into
undergraduate, postgraduate and M Phil/PhD students. Here in such a grouping the
level of education is the common characteristic of division. Books in a library are divided
and then arranged on the basis of their subject content. Thus a characteristic of division
is the common subject. Successive application of useful and relevant characteristics
produces deeper and finer tree like classification.
Genus-Species Relation
Logically, a class or a group of items sharing a common characteristic is technically
called a genus. The common characteristic is the differentiating factor to produce species.
We may state that ‘genus’ + ‘differentiating factor’ = ‘species’
For example, tables + material = glass tables, wooden tables, plastic tables, metallic
tables, etc. 9
Classification Here material type is the common characteristic to divide a group of tables. In this case
table is genus, ‘material’ is the differentiating factor, and ‘glass table’, and ‘wooden
table’, etc. are species of tables.
Given below is an example of ‘division by dichotomy’, which means dividing into parts
in each case.
Division by Dichotomy
Universe of Entities

Living Non-Living

Plants Animals

Vertebrates Invertebrates

Humans Animals
(having
backbone)
Males Females

Children Adults

Young Old

Fig1.1

This method however is artificial, as every phenomenon is not dichotomous in the

universe. There are many shades between white and black. The modern method of
classification is to divide by genus-species, or by whole-part relation.
Let us apply genus-species relation to science by applying characteristics

10
 Knowledge Basics of Classification

Science & Humanities Social Sciences

Technology

Natural Sciences Biosciences Earth Sciences

Plants Sciences Animal Sciences

Take another example World

Asia Africa Europe Etc.

South West Central Etc.

Asia Asia Asia

India Pakistan Afghanistan Etc.

J&K Himachal Punjab Etc.

Fig1.2

We proceed from broader to narrower classes by applying some common characteristics

to get tree like classification. Quality and mode of application of these chosen
characteristics are very important.

11
Classification Self Check Exercise
Note: i) Write your answer in the space given below.
ii) Check your answer with the answers given at the end of this Unit.
1) Give some examples of classification from your daily life.
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................

1.3 KNOWLEDGE CLASSIFICATION

Classification and categorisation of knowledge per se is knowledge classification. From
time to time philosophers, scientists, educationists and the likes have formally made
attempts to categorise the entire human knowledge to outline its boundaries and show
the structure of knowledge. For example, Vedas (1500 BC) divided knowledge into
four categories in the order: Dharma, Artha, Karma, and Moksha. The great philosopher
Aristotle divided the entire knowledge into various categories. Classification of
knowledge is essential for its simplification, understanding and progress. For example,
a new idea or a discovered fact gets related and integrated with the existing knowledge
with the passage of time. This is also a process by which information is upgraded to
knowledge. Therefore, it has aptly been said that all knowledge is classification.

1.4 LIBRARY CLASSIFICATION

Why do we need classification in libraries? In knowledge classification we deal with the
organisation of knowledge ideas and objects in a systematic way whereas in library
classification we deal with physical documents with the purpose of arranging them in a
helpful order on the shelves. The main purpose of library classification is to bring related
items together.
The goal of classification in libraries is primarily to arrange books on the shelves and
making entries in catalogue or index. Classification is the key to open access system. In
computerised systems it is used for coding of entries. The most useful and helpful way
of arranging books in the libraries is by subject.
Sayers defined library classification as “the arrangement of books on shelves, or
description of them, in the manner which is most useful to those who read.”
In library classification a class number is assigned to each and every document by using
a classification scheme. This class number represents the specific subject of that book
in an artificial language. In this way classification may be understood as a tool to translate
the subject of the document from its natural language to artificial language.

1.4.1 Purpose of Library Classification

 To organise books, documents on library shelves in a systematic order, bring
books on the same topic in close proximity to each other according to a classification
scheme;
 To provide a known location to documents in a library where they are shelved;
12
 To facilitate subject access to enable users to browse, identify and locate what Basics of Classification
works or documents a library has on a certain subject;
 To quickly retrieve documents from among thousands of items in the collection
and to replace documents to their original physical positions after use;
 Library being a service oriented organisation, classification is a tool that is employed
to increase the utility of library material;
 Proper physical arrangement of books in shelve saves the time of users as well as
of the staff.
 Arrangement of books by call number provides an exhaustive view of the collection
of a library on a particular subject.

1.4.2 Approaches to Library Classification

Melvil Dewey (1851-1931) designed Decimal Classification which divided knowledge
by academic disciplines of study and used decimal notation to denote subjects. It provides
almost infinite capacity for expansion and insertion of new subjects at proper places.
Ever since then libraries classify books predominantly on the basis of subject content in
the book. Thus library classification refers to knowledge classification as applied to
books in libraries. In other words library classification is applied knowledge classification.
Therefore, documents in libraries are arranged by subject though different types of
collections may be arranged in different ways. For example, government documents,
patents or standards may be arranged by their own official codes. Current periodicals
are usually arranged alphabetically by titles. Maps, CDs, pamphlets, photographs indeed
require different and separate arrangements.

1.4.3 Library Classification Schemes

The standard systems (or schemes) of library classification in use have been developed
using following approaches to knowledge classification
 Enumerative: assigning numbers to subject headings in alphabetical order;
Enumerative systems are readymade, long and systematic lists of subjects along
with their class numbers. These are also known as ‘mark and park’ systems.
 Hierarchical: dividing the subject hierarchically from most general to most specific
 Faceted analytico synthetic: dividing the subject into mutually exclusive facets and
providing mechanism to assemble them according to the subject of the document.
Nothing is readymade in faceted system. One has to construct a class number
according to the subject and characteristics of the document.
There are many living standards library classification systems used all over the world.
 Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC, 1876+)
 Universal Decimal classification (UDC, 1895+)
 Library of Congress Classification (LCC, 1902+)
 Colon Classification (CC, 1933+)
 Bliss’ Bibliographic Classification (1st ed, 1940 and 1953)
The most common systems of classification used world over are ‘Dewey Decimal
Classification’, ‘Universal Decimal Classification’ and ‘Library of Congress 13
Classification Classification’. These are essentially enumerative, though with some hierarchical and
faceted elements (more so for DDC), especially at the broadest and most general level.
Colon Classification is the first true faceted system developed by S. R. Ranganathan. In
India DDC, UDC and the CC are the most used classification systems.

1.5 STEPS TO ASSIGINING CLASSIFICATION

NUMBERS
Classification is merely the process of assigning a topical classification number to a
book, document. Two things are very essential in classification i.e. analysis and synthesis.
A classifier first analyses the subject into different facets and then synthesise them.
Subject analysis is an intellectual work and like diagnosing the real contents and after
that notation is assigned to that subject by using the classification scheme. A classifier is
free to use any reference tools and sometimes consult any subject experts in the subject
analysis process. A good book is there to help the classifiers in their work W.S. Merrill:
Code for Classifiers: Principles governing the consistent placing of books in a system of
classification. Chicago: ALA, 1969.
Classification involves three major steps which are: ascertain subject content of the
book, assign classification number.
Step 1: Ascertain the Subject of the Book
To do this one must first decide what the book is about (intellectual or subject content).
The book must be examined carefully for the purpose and to get all aspects of the topic
covered in the document. Every beginner has a notion that the ‘title’ of a book is the
sole and reliable indicator of the subject treated in it. This is a myth. Many a times the
title itself is misleading; as such it becomes risky to depend solely on the title to know
the exact subject of the book. So along with title the classifier must always look into
subtitle, book jacket, and content page. If the classifier is still not able to determine the
subject of the book from its cover page and content page, then s/he will need to take
help from a reference source available in the library. Apart from these, s/he may consult
catalogue records of that library as well as of other libraries, also online catalogues. It
is like taking help from the experienced colleagues.
Follow following steps when ascertaining subject content of a book:
 Examine the book/document carefully for subject analysis;
 Identify the topic or topics treated in the book as well as all aspects of the topic;
 If there are more than one topic treated in the book decide the main topic;
 The topic which best describes the subject of the book and which a user is most
likely to search should be identified;
 Identify the main class of the topic treated in the book. This main class will guide
the physical location of the book in the stack area;
 After subject analysis the other thing which needs classifier’s consideration is place,
time and form of the document; and
 The other important aspect to examine is whether the book is meant for a specific
category of users.

14
Step 2: Ascertain the Discipline of the Book Basics of Classification

After determining the subject, select the proper discipline, or field of study, of the book.
You may take the help from the Relative Index or consult an expert in the subject. The
guiding principle of the DDC is to class a work in the discipline for which it is intended,
rather than the discipline from which the work derives. For example, a work on Internet
for libraries should be classed in library science, not computer science, along with other
works on Internet based library services.
Step 3: Assign Classification Number
For assigning a number to the subject identified in Step 1 you need a tool called
Classification Scheme (also called Classification System). A basic familiarity with the
classification system in use in a library is vital to classify books, documents and assign
them a class number. In Section 1.4.3 of this Unit, you learnt that a number of schemes
are available for number building. It is the duty and responsibility of the library
administration to decide which one classification scheme to use for document
classification in a library. While taking decision on this matter, it is important to take into
consideration the following points:
 What is the size and subject of the collection
 What is the nature of the collection
 Who are users of the collection
 Revision policy of the scheme to be selected
Number building according to ‘Dewey Decimal Classification’ is discussed in detail in
the Unit 2 of this course. DDC is an enumerative scheme of classification. In the
enumerative scheme of classification the starting point is to consult the index and before
proceeding to the pinpointed location in the schedules. But remember not to rely solely
on index alone. In DDC you need not to worry much about simple subjects as they are
taken directly from the schedule. DDC provides summaries of the schedules which will
help you to understand and familiarise with the broad structure of the scheme. The
DDC is also hierarchical number system that organises the whole universe of knowledge
into main classes. In general, main class is the highest level of classification in the universe
of knowledge. It is the broadest possible subject area of knowledge division. The main
classes in DDC are shown in the table below. What body of knowledge will constitute
a main class will however vary from one classification scheme to another. For example,
in UDC the main classes of universe of knowledge are Physics, Chemistry, Agriculture,
Medicine, History, Literature, Biology, Law, Education, Engineering, and many others.

Dewey Decimal Classification Scheme

000 – Generalities 500 - Natural sciences and mathematics
100 - Philosophy, parapsychology 600 - Technology (applied sciences)
and occultism, psychology
200 – Religion 700 - Arts (fine and decorative arts)
300 - Social sciences 800 - Literature (belles-lettres) and rhetoric
400 - 900 - Geography, history, and auxiliary
disciplines

15
Classification 1.5.1 Some Principles of Classification
Dealing with simple subjects (simple branches of knowledge) is easy but the problem
arises when dealing with compound and complex subjects (dealing with two or more
branches of knowledge). In DDC for these purposes different types of notes and
instructions are provided. Apart from this the following are some of the general principles
to be kept in mind while assigning classification numbers.
 Class an item dealing with a complex subject first according to the subject, then by
the form in which the subject is represented, except in the generalia class and in
literature, where form might be paramount. For example ‘Periodicals of Physics’.
In this case physics is the subject and periodical is form.
 Class an item dealing with a compound subject where it will be most useful. For
example a book on ‘Application of Computers in Libraries’ is more useful to
library science professionals, not computer science students; it should therefore
be classed under ‘library science’. Similarly a book entitled ‘History of
Mathematics’ deals with Mathematics, not History; it should be classed under
‘Mathematics’
 Place an item dealing with a complex subject in a class that is co-extensive the
subject treated in the book. For example ‘History of Mughals’ can be classed
under ‘History’, ‘History of India’, ‘History of Mughals’ or ‘History of Mughals in
India’. The best option is to class this book under ‘History of Mughals in India.
 When a book/document deals with two or three subjects, place it under the subject
treated more predominantly in the book or else under the subject treated first.
 When a book deals with more than three subjects, place it in the general class that
combines all of them. For example a book dealing with ‘Influence of Sanskrit
Literature on Hindi’ may be classed under Hindi Literature as it being the
predominant subject.
 In dealing with some of the difficult subjects for examples biographies, place the
item under the subject field of the person given in the biography unless you have
developed a collection under the subject ‘biographies’.
 Similarly another problem arises when dealing with persons who made significant
contribution in different fields, born in one country and worked in another, life
spanned in more than one century. In such cases, classifier will take decision
keeping in view the requirements of the users but whatsoever decision will be
taken it will be followed every time for consistency and uniformity which is also an
important feature in classification.

1.5.2 Some Useful Videos to Classification

The students may visit following web links for videos to classification:
Dewey Decimal Classification Part-1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vTHR-gbEwE&feature=relmfu(Accessed on 05/
04/13)
Dewey Decimal Classification Part-2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wAVWZTHyG9Q&feature=relmfu(Accessed on
05/04/13)
16
Dewey Decimal Classification Part-3: Literature Class http://www.youtube.com/ Basics of Classification
watch?v=j24LWlrzYQ4&feature=relmfu(Accessed on 05/04/13)
Dewey Decimal Classification Part-4: Language Class http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=69whWyCHLnU&feature=fvwrel (Accessed on 05/04/13)
Dewey Decimal Classification Part-5: Use of Table 4 and 6 http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=_38oVkYHmuc&feature=relmfu (Accessed on 05/04/13)
Dewey Decimal Classification Part-6: Use of Table 1 http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=6rmQA5JmnEQ&feature=relmfu (Accessed on 05/04/13)
Dewey Decimal Classification Part-7: Use of Table 5 and 7 http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=qIL8EGxB55Q&feature=relmfu (Accessed on 05/04/13)
Dewey Decimal Classification Part-8: Synthesis of Notation http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=pVMjuTAX7H0&feature=plcp (Accessed on 05/04/13)

1.6 USES AND LIMITATIONS OF LIBRARY

CLASSIFICATION
Classification is a vital tool for access to books and collections in particular for self
learning in an open access system. It supports all other library services too. In a library,
classification acts like a skeleton in a human body on which all of the body organs and
functions rest. It maps library collection by subject, serves library management functions
and helps in knowledge creation. Without classified resources, a library is nothing but
an unorganised dump of books. Libraries need classification for realising full value of
library resources. Some of the prominent uses of classifications are enumerated as
follows:
 Classification is a tool for systematic arrangement of books in a collection. It
brings books on the same subject together, arranges them in a systematic order,
from general to specific topics, and makes it simpler for patrons to browse
collections topic wise at one place.
 Browsing is to look at library collections without any specific purpose – a sort of
window shopping books and other reading material. Browsing is a scholarly habit
of value and importance which at times leads to serendipity - accidental discovery
of long-needed and valuable information. Classification facilitates browsing
books by subject.
 Classification is a tool to trace books in library stacks and replace them back after
use. It is also used for preparing shelf lists.
 It has been claimed that a library classification serves three functions, namely,
cognitive: to represent the structure of knowledge into subjects and their classes
and design thesauri and ontologies. Many library classifications, e.g.,
Ranganathan’s CC, Bliss’ BC and BSO have emphasised this function;
information retrieval: classification is the basis of all information retrieval
systems and methods both in manual and electronic environments; and
shelf arrangement.
 Many bibliographies, catalogues, etc. are organised in classified order for better
use. UDC was created to arrange entries in a universal bibliography. 17
Classification  Invoking facet analysis approach to analyse user’s queries in reference interviews
provides a better insight into planning and re-building new approaches to library
services.
 Classification is useful for arrangement of circulation records, building a balanced
collection of documents in a library. It is better known as collection editing.

1.6.1 Uses of Classification in Electronic Environment

Classification as a tool is also used to arrange and retrieve records in electronic
databases. Online Public Access Catalogues (OPACs) functions far better when class
numbers are provided as access point. Many search engines like Yahoo, Google,
AltaVista use conventional classification systems such as the DDC, UDC, LCC to
organise information on the world wide web (WWW). Eccellio (http://
science.eccellio.com) search engine uses faceted classification for returning precise
information. In the web environment, Professor Lois Mai Chan identified at least seven
functions which require use of classification. These are location, browsing, hierarchical
searching, retrieval, identification, sub-grouping (partitioning) and profiling. Given these
developments, classification is aptly called as mathematics of librarianship. While a
‘book’ is said to be the foundation of a library but classification is hailed as the foundation
of librarianship. No wonder that in the electronic information era, we are witnessing the
second golden age of classification.

1.6.2 Limitations of Classification

None of the man-made classification systems is absolute; classification systems are not
permanent and they need to undergo revisions, changes from time to time. Man has
devised several types of classifications serving various purposes. But none is either
absolutely good or absolutely bad. Depending upon the purpose each serves, some are
useful, while others fail to satisfy the needs of all the users in all types of libraries. A
classification system may serve needs of majority of users in one type of library, it may
not be so true in another specialised library; another library with more specialised needs
may need different arrangements for knowledge organisation. Classification, especially
the library classification has many limitations and problems like as follows:
 It is subjective in approach, for example two classifiers may differ widely in the
classification of a given book, and a single classifier may class a given book
differently at different times.
 No single classification system can comprehensively represent in totality all the
subjects dealt with in a book, in particular in books which deal with more than one
subject at a time.
 In library classification, it is only the subject treated predominantly in a book is
represented in the class number. For example, in a textbook covering both algebra
and geometry either it is placed under algebra or under geometry, not both. The
point to understand is that the other subject is not represented by the class number,
and such a work may remain hidden from needy users.
 Books on a very broad topic such as “Family” can be placed under several different
main classes such as ethics, sociology, anthropology, social welfare, or medicine.
This sort of classification ultimately leads to information scattering. Therefore, at
times classification scatters more than what it reveals and collocates.
 The universe of subjects is ever expanding; hence classification schemes need
18 regular updating.
Any single classification system cannot satisfy all users always as their individual needs Basics of Classification
are wide and varying. Classification systems are not developed based on surveys covering
needs of all library users. Every entity has multiple dimensions. For instance, a man is a
father and a son at the same time, an uncle and brother to someone; he is both a Hindu
and a businessman. Where to classify him is always an issue. Nevertheless, neither is
there any escape from such issues nor is there any substitute to it in libraries. In libraries,
we have to work with imperfect tools.
Points to Remember
* The first act of classification is grouping as it brings related concepts together.
* Classification makes searching more convenient to the users.
* Classification maps a library collection.
* It brings all material related to a subject at one place.
* Makes library organised and helps in easy information retrieval.
* Satisfies the subject approach of the users.
* Enumerative scheme tries to list all the possible classes.
* Analytico-synthetic-scheme allows the classifier to build numbers for compound
classes.
* It helps in the effective working of OPAC’s.
Self Check Exercise
Note: i) Write your answers in the space given below.
ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit.
2) State the uses of classification in a library.
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
3) Name two major library classification systems.
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
4) Write True or False
a. No man-made classification is absolute.
b. In earlier time books are arranged according to their colour and size.
c. A special subject classification covers the whole universe of knowledge.
d. Classification can also be used to design thesaurus and ontologies.
e. OPAC does not work well with class numbers. 19
Classification 5) Identify three different approaches of a user.
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................

1.7 SUMMARY
Knowledge classification is used to organise books, databases and other reading material
both in print and electronic form. Classification is a tool for making library useful to
users, increasing the utility of library material, and providing an exhaustive view of the
collections of a library by subject. Classification facilitates subject access; it helps
identify what books a library has on a subject, where to stack them and how to locate
them in a library. This Unit has provided a brief introduction to basics of knowledge
classification, concepts of library classification and of the hierarchical approach to
classification. It introduced to you various library classification systems in use world
over, in particular the Dewey Decimal Classification system. It described steps to
assigning classification numbers to books and other items in a library. It also illustrated
the uses of library classification both in print and electronic media. In computerised
databases and network information searches classification has found new uses.
Classification has become the basis of all library services and hence it may not be
wrong to describe it as the foundation study of librarianship. Nevertheless, classification
has its own limitations.

1.8 ANSWERS TO SELF CHECK EXERCISES

1) Classification is a universal phenomenon. It is an activity that goes on every moment
in every act of life and society. In an orderly house things are kept in a classified
manner. A housewife arranges her kitchen, according to items of eating (i.e. cooked
food), types of utensils, items of cleaning, etc. A lady tries to match her hand bag
or her wrist watch with the colour of her dress. It is also classification. A shopkeeper
arranges his goods in an ordered manner. As a result you find various types of rice
in one place, pulses at another place, and spices at still another place and so on. If
you observe carefully, you will find that he has arranged the things roughly in
classified sequence, Arrangement, grouping and pairing involve some classification.
2) Classification is basic to a library. A collection of books which is not classified
cannot be called a library. It brings at one place all the books on a given narrow
topic which helps in easy location and browsing. It arranges books in a pedagogical
order which is useful for self-learners. It also arranges records in catalogues and
bibliographies. It helps in building a balanced collection. Its methods are useful in
reference service. It can be very useful in searching electronic data bases and
Web. It is rightly said that it is the foundation of librarianship.
3) DDC and UDC
4) a. True
b. True
c. False
d. True
20 e. False
5) The main approaches through which a user can search her/his document is by Basics of Classification
subject, author and title.

1.9 KEYWORDS
Browsing : A habit of scholars to scan the book stacks of a
library without any specific purpose. It results in
serendipitous findings.
Characteristic : It is basis or criterion of division or grouping. If a
group is divided into Hindus, Muslims, Christians,
Sikhs then religion is the characteristic. Quality
of the characteristic will determine the quality and
aptness of classification.
Class : A set of entities having at least one characteristic
in common. A class can be small or big, even
very big.
Classifier : A person who classifies books in a library by
operating a classification system.
Classificationist : A person who designs a classification system.
Classification : It is a process of grouping entities on the basis
of likeness or some underlying relation.
Ultimately, classification is organisation and co-
relation. It is grouping, selecting, sorting, ordering,
tabulating, ranking, mapping, preparing
classificat ion schedules and operat ing
classification systems.
Entity : A thing that has definite, individual existence
outside or within the mind; anything real in itself.
Enumerative
Classification : It is a systematic list of subjects of the past and
present along with their class numbers.
Faceted Classification : It divides knowledge into concepts and
categories to be assembled according to rule as
per the requirement of the subjects.
Genus and Species : Genus is any original universe to be divided into
species on the basis o some characteristics.
These are relative terms. A father is a genus for
the children; when children become father/mother
they will be genus for their own children.
Knowledge Classification : The process of outlining, structuring and mapping
the entire universe of knowledge or some part of
it. It helps to study the nature and growth of
knowledge. It is also the basis of modern library
classification.

21
Classification Library Classification : Arrangement of books and other reading material
of a library in a way useful to the users. It is
knowledge classification as applied to books and
other documents.
Universe of Knowledge : Refers to the entire corpus of knowledge known
to mankind

1.10 REFERENCES AND FURTHER

READING
Bately, Sue. Classification in Theory and Practice. Oxford: Chandos, 2005. Print.
Broughton, Vanda. Essential Classification. London: Facet, 2004. Print.
Chan, Lois Mai. Cataloguing and Classification: an Introduction. 3rd ed. Lanham,
MD: The Scarecrow Press, 2007. 309-314. Print.
Hunter, Eric.J. Classification Made Simple. London: Clive Bingley, 1998. Print.
Krishan Kumar. Theory of Classification. New Delhi: Vikas, 1989. Print
Philip, H.W. A Primer of Book Classification. 5th ed. London: AAL, 1961. 9-20.
Print.
Ranganathan, S.R. Elements of Library Classification. New Delhi: UBS, 1989. Print.
---. Prolegomena to Library Classification. 3rd ed. Bombay: Asia, 1967.Print.
Satija, M.P. “Classification: An Essay in Terminology”. Knowledge Organisation.
27.4(2000): 221-229. Print.
---. “Classification: some Fundamentals some Myths”. Knowledge Organisation 25.1-
2(1998): 32-35.Print.
---. A Dictionary of Knowledge Organization. Amritsar: Guru Nanak Dev University,
2004.35-36. Print.
---. “Users Interest Classification: Guest Editorial”. SRELS Journal of Information
Management 46.4(2009):353-354. Print.
Wynar, Bohdan S. Introduction to Cataloguing and Classification. 7th ed. Colorado:
Libraries Unlimited, 1985. Print.

22
UNIT 2 CLASSIFYING DOCUMENTS USING
DDC
Structure
2.0 Learning Outcomes
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Structure of the DDC-19th Edition
2.2.1 Vol.1 Introduction and Tables
2.2.2 Vol.2 Schedules

2.3 Basic Plan and Structure

2.4 Further Divisions
2.5 Decimal Numbers
2.6 Subject Analysis
2.7 Locating the Appropriate Number
2.8 Number Building
2.8.1 Number Building with “Add to….” Instruction
2.8.2 Adding a Part of a Number

2.9 Use of Tables

2.9.1 Table 1: Standard Subdivisions
2.9.2 Table 2: Areas
2.9.3 Table 3: Subdivisions for Individual Literatures
2.9.4 Table 4: Subdivisions of Individual Languages

2.10 The Relative Index

2.10.1 Structure

2.11 Summary
2.12 Answers to Self Check Exercises
2.13 Keywords
2.14 References and Further Reading

2.0 LEARNING OUTCOMES

By reading and practicing this Unit, you will be able to:
 learn about the history of the DDC in brief and its various versions;
 learn about the layout of the text of three the volumes of the DDC-19 (1979);
 get knowledge about the structure of knowledge as represented in the DDC system;
 acquire skills to do subject analysis of the documents for classification;
 assign the appropriate class number to a document;
 construct class number for a document, if so desired;
23
Classification  learn about the use of auxiliary tables to further supplement a class number; and
 learn how to use the Relative Index to locate a number in the schedules.

2.1 INTRODUCTION
The Dewey Decimal Classification (popularly known as DDC) was first published in
1876 in the USA by Melvil Dewey (1851-1931). Now it is one of the most popular
classification systems for systematic arrangement of books and other documents by
subject in libraries. It is now in use in over two lakh libraries spread over 150 countries
of the world. It is also a useful system for organising information in electronic databases
and on the Web. It has since been translated into about 25 languages of the world
including Hindi.
Versions and Editions
Since its first publication in 1876, DDC has been constantly revised and updated to
incorporate new knowledge in line with ongoing advances in classification theory and
also the changing needs of library users. The 23rd edition published in 2011 by the
OCLC, Dublin Ohio, USA is the current edition of the DDC. The online version of the
DDC, known as WebDewey, is also available to subscribers at www.oclc.org/Dewey.
The online version is ever up-to-date and has many more features its print version.
Abridged Dewey
Both the print and electronic versions are also available in one volume Abridged Dewey
edition. At present the 14th edition (2004) of the Abridged Dewey is available. Its 15th
edition is due shortly. The abridged version is more suitable for small public and school
libraries. It is also useful for teaching the DDC system and for organising practical work
in classification. In this Unit we shall explain the working of the 19th edition of the DDC
published in 1979.
Activity: Visit a few libraries near your place and find out the edition of DDC being
used by them.

2.2 STRUCTURE OF THE DDC-19TH EDITION

Its bibliographical details are:
Dewey, Melvil: The Dewey Decimal Classification and the Relative Index -
19th ed/edited by Benjamin A. Custer. Albany, N.Y: The Forest Press, 1979. 3v.
Its Indian reprint published by the UBSPD, New Delhi is also available in India. The
details about DDC in three volumes are as follows:
2.2.1 Vol.1 Introduction and Tables
This volume runs into 482 pages. It provides brief history of the DDC, management
and technical aspects of the classifications schedules. Its major function is to provide
instructions how to use the DDC. It serves as a sort of operational manual. It also
contains the seven auxiliary tables to supplement the basic numbers given the Volume 2.
2.2.2 Vol.2 Schedules
The volume runs into 1574 pages. It comprises schedules which list subjects and their
corresponding decimal numbers in the order of 001-999. The schedules list notation
for top level ten main classes of the DDC and all their subdivisions. It systematically lists
24
names of subjects and their corresponding class numbers in decimal notation. Most of Classifying Documents
Using DDC
the entries contain notes and instructions. Volume 3 is the relative index and it has been
discussed latter in the Unit.

2.3 BASIC PLAN AND STRUCTURE

The DDC is a general practical classification tool to classify all kinds of documents on
any subjects in all types of libraries. It divides the entire universe of knowledge into ten
main classes (MCs), each denoted by three decimal digits:

000 Generalia 500 Pure Sciences

100 Philosophy and 600 Technology
Psychology
200 Religion 700 Arts
300 Social Sciences 800 Literature
400 Languages 900 Geography and
History

Each of these ten MC has been further divided into ten divisions. Thus there are 100
divisions in all. This is also called the second summary of the DDC. For example, the
ten divisions of the MC 600 Technology are:
600 Technology 650 Management
610 Medical Science 660 Chemical Engineering
620 Engineering 670 Manufacture
630 Agriculture 680 Manufacturing for
Specific Use
640 Home Sciences 690 Buildings

Further each of the 100 divisions of the DDC is subdivided into ten sections. For
example, the ten sections of the Division 610 Medical sciences are:
610 Medical Sciences 615 Pharmacology
611 Human Anatomy 616 Diseases
612 Human Physiology 617 Surgery
613 General, Personal 618 Other Branches of
Hygiene Medicine
614 Public Health 619 Experimental Medicine

Thus these are 100X10=1000 sections in all. This is known as Third Summary of the
DDC.

2.4 FURTHER DIVISIONS

Continuing further, each decimal divisions can be subdivided hierarchically into
subsections and sub-subsections and further, e.g.
614.1 Forensic Medicine
614.4 Incidence….control of diseases
614.5 Incidence…. control of specific diseases
614.6 Disposal of the dead 25
Classification Such a division can be carried out to any feasible depth, e.g.
614.5 Incidence ….kinds of diseases
614.51 Salmonella infections….influenza
614.511 Salmonella infections
614.5112Typhoid fever

2.5 DECIMAL NUMBERS

All the Indic numerals used in the DDC are decimal numbers as distinguished from
whole numbers 1,2,3,9,10,11,12 etc. But the decimal point has not been shown. Decimal
figure is always less than one. The dot after the third digit is a break, a sort of a pause;
it is not a decimal dot. It has no value. It is a pause to make a number easy to remember.
The use of decimal notation in library classification was a great discovery and now
every classification system uses it. With it, it is easy to show hierarchy of subjects and
add new subjects at proper places.
Self Check Exercise
Note: i) Write your answer in the space given below.
ii) Check your answer with the answers given at the end of this Unit.
1) Write the mathematical properties of decimal fractions.
........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................

2.6 SUBJECT ANALYSIS

Subject analysis is a pre-requisite before assigning a class number to a document. This
is to determine the exact subject of the document by reading the title, subtitle, and table
of content, preface and “about the book”. Most of the time title indicates the subject.
But the classical wisdom says “Never classify by the title alone”. Go beyond it. Sometimes
a classifier has to consult an expert to determine the exact subject. Titles area is also
misleading sometimes. For example, a book “History of India” is only the history of
modern period; and a book “Shakespeare” is the biography of the bard – a professional
poet. So before classifying the full title of a book should be constructed mentally.

2.7 LOCATING THE APPROPRIATE NUMBER

Once the exact subject of the document has been determined the next step is to locate
the correct class number of the book in the schedule. The schedule literally means a list.
The schedule is lengthy, mazy and crammed with subjects and their decimal numbers.
Yet it is not difficult to locate the desired number. We have to proceed systematically
making our way through the three summaries. For example, let us assign class number
to a book “A history of the Moughals in India”. Let us proceed as follows:
It belongs to the main class History (First Summary) 900
26
Then it belongs to History of Asia(Second Summary) 950
Then it belongs to History of India(Third Summary) 954 Classifying Documents
Using DDC
Now we shift our search to the schedules, Volume 2. Section numbers are always
written at right top of every page of the schedules. By scanning sections we reach the
section 954. There we see that Muslim Period, Indian history is 954.02, further Moughal
period is 954.025. That is the desired number.
Let us take another example “Anatomy of human lungs” .We know that lungs are a part
of the respiratory system. It is Medical science and Medical science is a part of
Technology 600 in the DDC. Further this title belongs to 611 Anatomy. This we know
by scanning the three summaries one by one. On reaching 611 we shift our search to
the schedules in Volume 2. The section 611 and its subdivisions are on page 829.
Looking at the summary of 611.2 (page 830) we find lungs enumerated at 611.24. It is
our correct number. All the books on human lungs will bear this number and thus all
similar books will come together. To classify properly we must know the structure of
the DDC and some modest knowledge of the subject.
Self Check Exercise
Note: i) Write your answer in the space given below.
ii) Check your answer with the answers given at the end of this Unit.
2) Make a photocopy of the Second Summary and commit to memory as many of
the 100 Divisions as possible. It will be of great use to you while classifying books.
Write any 20 numbers and their corresponding subjects.
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................

2.8 NUMBER BUILDING

The DDC is a list of class numbers as well as a mechanism to construct a number, if not
fully provided in the schedules. The latter is called number building. In case, a readymade
number is not available for a document it may be constructed. A number can be further
built either:
1) with another whole or part number from the schedules; or
2) with any of the seven auxiliary tables.

2.8.1 Number Building with “Add to….” Instruction

Under some class numbers there is an instruction “Add to the designated base number
from 001-999”. It means we have to add any number to a given base number. Let us
take the subject “Medical libraries”, there is no full number listed for this topic. Under
020 we have “026 libraries devoted to different subjects”. There is instruction “Add to
base the number 026 from 001-009.” It means the number for medical science which
is 610 will have to be added to 026.
026+610=026.610 =026.61
The terminal zero in a decimal number is of no use.
27
Classification Similarly, for a book on “Libraries on Indian Philosophy”, the number will be
026+181.4=026.181 4
Here 181.4 is the class number for Indian Philosophy.
Also note there is only one dot in class number and that is always after the first three
digits.

2.8.2 Adding a Part of a Number

Instead of adding a whole number we may be instructed to add a part of a number
taken from elsewhere. Let us take the subject:
Buddhist philosophy
There is no readymade number for it. We have
181.04-.09 Oriental philosophy based on religions.
Here the instruction says that to the base number 181.04 add the number following 29
in 294-299. In this span, the number for Buddhism is 294.3. The number following 29
is “4.3”. Hence we shall add this to 181.0 to get
181.0+4.3= 181.043
Remember the zero is always put after the third digit in the final number, and in a class
number there should be only one zero.
Take another example:
Sacred Books of Jains
Number of Jainism is 294.4. We have been given the instruction that 294 and its
subdivisions can be subdivided like 291. There the number for sacred books is 291.82.
The number following 291 is “82”. Hence
294.4+82= 294.482
Similarly the number for Jain Saints will be
294.4+61= 294.461
There are numerous places where you are instructed to add to the given base a particular
part of a number taken from near or far.

2.9 USE OF TABLES

The Tables contain some recurring subdivisions which can be added to the schedule
numbers. Most of the class numbers in the schedules can be supplemented by one or
more numbers taken from these tables given in Volume 1 of the DDC. These tables are
optional for small libraries as these are required for depth classification used in large
libraries. There are seven tables:
Table 1 Standard Subdivisions
Table 2 Areas
Table 3 Subdivisions for individual literatures

28 Table 4 Subdivisions for individual languages

Table 5 Racial, Ethnic and National Groups Classifying Documents
Using DDC
Table 6 Languages
Table 7 Persons
2.9.1 Table 1: Standard Subdivisions
Standard Subdivisions (ss) mostly pertain to the form or physical format of the document
or viewpoint of the author. These always begin with a zero:
01 Philosophy and theory
02 Miscellany
03 Dictionary, encyclopedia
04 General special
05 Serials/ periodical publications
06 Organisations, associations, centres
07 Study and teaching072 Research
08 -
09 History
These have further been subdivided and can be added to any class number.
297 Islam
Encyclopedia of Islam
297+03= 297.03
A journal on Islam
297+05= 297.05
Study and teaching of Law
340+07= 340.07
Some of the standard subdivisions are instructed to be applied with more than one
zero:
Human diseases
616
Dictionary of Human diseases
616+003(T1) = 616.003
(As under 616 there is an instruction to add standard subdivisions in the pattern of
616.001-616.009)
Similarly
Study and teaching of constitutional law
342+007= 342.007
29
Classification As a rule, if ss is added to a main class or a division then their terminal zeros are
removed, unless instructed otherwise, e.g.
Journal of Science
500+05= 505
(In this case two zeros of 500 have been removed)
Similarly
Dictionary of philosophy
100+03= 103
(Here 00 have been removed)
Philosophy of Mathematics
510+01= 510.1
Here 0 of 510 has been removed.
But there are many exceptions to such rules, e.g.
Dictionary of social sciences
300+03= 300.3
(Here only one zero of 300 is removed)
2.9.2 Use of Table 2: Areas
This is a table of geographical areas and lists systematically all continents, countries and
their provinces in some cases:
1 World
2 Physical world
3 Ancient world
4 Europe
5 Asia
6 Africa
7 North America
8 South America
9 Australia and other parts of the world
Asia has been further subdivided as:
5 Asia
51 China
52 Japan
53 Arabian Peninsula and adjacent areas
30
54 India Classifying Documents
Using DDC
55 Iran
56 Middle East
57 Siberia
58 Central Asia
59 Southeast Asia
Each of the country has been further been divided into states:
54 South Asia, India
541 Northeastern India
542 Uttar Pradesh
543 Madhya Pradesh
544 Rajasthan
545 Punjab, Haryana, etc
546 Jammu & Kashmir
547 Western India
548 Southern India
549 Pakistan, Sri Lanka
The numbers from the Area table are added on instructions given under some class
numbers, e.g.
320.9 Political conditions
Here we are instructed to add from the Area table.
Political condition of Europe
320.9+4(T2) = 320.94
Political situation in India
320+54(T2) = 320.954
Political condition in Rajasthan
320.9+544(T2) = 320.954 4
Adding the Area Table without Instruction
Where there is no such instruction to add from Table 2, then the area number can be
added through the standard subdivision 09 from Table 1.
Civil Rights in Communist Countries
323.4 Civil Rights
323.4+09(T1) +1717(T2) = 323.409 171 7
31
Classification (1717= Communist Countries in Table 2)
Standard of living in villages
339.47+09(T1) +1734(T2) = 339.470 917 34
(1734 = Villages in Table 2)
Economics of labour in India
331+09(T1) +54(T2) =331.095 4
On instruction two areas can be added interposing a zero between them.
Foreign relations between USA and India
327+54(T2) (India) +0+73(T2) (USA) = 327.540 73
(54 = India in Table 2; 73 = USA in Table 2)

Table 2 is quite lengthy and elaborate.

2.9.3 Table 3: Subdivisions for Individual Literatures
As the name indicates this Table is not universal. It is restricted to the Main Class 800
Literature and its subdivisions. Table 3 is in two parts: 3 and 3A. It is applied only on
instructions. Main divisions of Table 3 are:
-1 Poetry
-2 Drama
-3 Fiction
-4 Essays
-5 Speeches
-6 Letters
-7 Satire and humour
-8 Miscellany
Each of the subdivisions is further subdivided:
For example
-3 Fiction is subdivided as
301 Short stories
306 Cartoon fiction
308 Specific type of fiction
Further 31-39 are fictions of specific periods. Literary periods vary from language to
language. These subdivisions for English literature are different from those of Hindi
literature. For Hindi fiction these subdivisions as given under the class number 891.2
are:
32 31 Hindi fiction up to 1345
32 Hindi fiction from 1345-1645 Classifying Documents
Using DDC
33 Hindi fiction from 1645-1845
34 Hindi fiction from 1845-1895
35 Hindi fiction from 1895-1920
36 Hindi fiction from 1920-1940
37 Hindi fiction after 1940-
These subdivisions can be added to the designated base number from the Main Class
800. For English literature, the designated base is 82
English poetry
820+1(T3) = 821
English Fiction
820+3(T3) = 823
English short stories
820+301(T3) = 823.01
For Hindi literature the designated base is 891.43
Hindi poetry
891.43+1= 891.431
Hindi short stories
891.43+301= 891.433 01
For literature of any period and form the formula is:
Base number + Form+ Period
20th Century English poetry
82(Base) +1 (Form) +7 (Period) = 891.437
Post-1940 Hindi Drama
891.43+2 (Form) +7 (Period) =891.4327

Table 3A lists viewpoint and themes of literature. These are applied on instruction from
Table 3. Some examples are given below
Punjabi lyric poetry
891.42+104 (T3) = 891.421 04
Science fiction in Hindi
891.43+ 30876 (T3) = 891.433 087 6
Collection of Hindi literature for children
891.43+080 (T3) + 9282 (T3A) = 891.430 809 282 33
Classification The number of collection is taken from T3 pg 389 because the form of literature is not
specified in the above title.
Contributions of Bengalis to Hindi poetry of post 1940 era.
891.43 + 1 (T3) + 7 (for time period) +09 +8 (T3A) +9144 (T6)
= 891.431 709 891 44
2.9.4 Table 4: Subdivisions of Individual Languages
This Table is applied to the main class 400 Languages. The major subdivisions are:
-1 Written and spoken codes
-2 Etymology
-3 Dictionaries
-5 Grammar
-7 Dialects and slangs
Obviously it is applied to the Main Class 400 and its subdivisions. It is applied only on
instructions, for example:
Grammar of English language
42(English language) +5 (T4) = 425
Grammar of Hindi Language
491.43+5(T4) = 491.435
Dialects of Hindi language
491.43+7(T4) = 491.437
Dictionary of Sanskrit language
491.2+3 (T4) = 491.23
The tables 5, 6 and 7 are applied on instructions. Some of the examples of these tables
are given below
Collection of Hindi literature by Russian authors
891.43 + 080 (T3) + 8 (T3A) + 9171 (T5) = 891.430 808 917 1
The number of collection is taken from T3 pg 389 because form of literature is not
specified in the above title.
Hospitality of Punjabi People
395.3+09(T1) +174(T2) +9142(T6) = 395.309 174 914 2
Secondary education in Hindi speaking areas of India
373+54(T2) +009(T2) +175(T2) +91431(T6) =373.540 097 591 431
54 in Table 2 is an asterisked (*) entry which leads us to page no.35 in Vol.1 where
instruction is given to add general area 175 by following 1 and this instruction further
leads us to Table 6 where number of Hindi language is given.
34
 Customs of dancers Classifying Documents
Using DDC
390.4 +7933(T7) = 390.479 33
Sikh artist
704 +2946 = 704.294 6
Self Check Exercise
Note: i) Write your answers in the space given below.
ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit.
3) Write the Area number for all the states of India.
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
4) Name the auxiliary tables of the 19th edition of DDC.
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
5) Try to find class number of the given titles
i) Physical chemistry
ii) Cricket
iii) Public libraries
iv) Sodium
v) Unemployment
vi) Encyclopaedia of library science
vii) Public libraries in India
viii) Higher education in developing countries
ix) Foreign policy of India
x) Survey on strikes

2.10 THE RELATIVE INDEX

The schedule is a lengthy and mazy map of knowledge. It takes a lot of time and efforts
to learn its structure, and procedure to locate the numbers. Moreover, classification
from this index requires a bit of prior knowledge of the topic and familiarity with its
terminology. But no one is always knowledgeable enough about every subject. There
are some interdisciplinary subject areas such as biochemistry or geopolitics which could
35
Classification be placed at any one of the two places. Further, one may wonder what could be the
class number for UNESCO, or calligraphy, or table manners. Besides, the Area Table
is too lengthy to easily locate a number in it. To ease such problems the “Relative
Index” has been provided in the Volume 3 of the set.
2.10.1 Structure
It is an alphabetical list of all the subjects and concepts in the schedule and tables. It
provides a different and alternative approach to the main approach. It has about 80,000
entries in alphabetical order, e.g.
Agriculture 630
Architecture 720
Assam, India Area -5416
It means that the class number for Agriculture is 630, and Architecture 720. In the third
entry area means “5416” given in the Area Table 2, and it is the area number for Assam
state of India.
There are also cross references in the Index; e.g.
Apes see Pongidae
UN see United Nation
This approach is also different in the sense that in the schedule the approaches to a
subject are scattered by disciplines. For instance, the subject “Child” occurs in
Psychology, Medicine, Education, Literature and many more. In the index all the
distributed relatives of the topic ‘Child’ are brought together. Hence the name Relative
Index
Take a simple example of collocation in the index-
Umpiring
American baseball 796.3323
Base ball 796.3573
Canadian football 796.3353
Cricket 796.3583
Rugby Soccer 796.3333796.3343
All types of umpiring (scattered in the schedules) have come together in the index. It
will be useful to scholars who want all the books on umpiring for different games.
Similarly
Physiology
Animals 591.876
Humans 612
Plants 581.876
Hence the relative index is a useful approach and a key to the knowledge mapped in
36 the DDC.
 Classifying Documents
Points to remember: Using DDC

* DDC is the most popular and oldest library classification scheme.

* DDC is an enumerative classification scheme with analytico-synthetic features.
* It uses pure notation.
* It uses hierarchical structure.
* Table 1 Standard subdivisions can be added to any number even without any
instruction.

2.11 SUMMARY
The DDC is the most popular classification system in libraries. The DDC-19 (1979) is
in three volumes. The schedule divides knowledge into ten main classes, 100 divisions
and 1000 sections. These are further divided decimally to provide a reasonably
comprehensive map of knowledge. All the class numbers in the DDC are composed of
decimal numerals and have minimum of three digits. If a number extends to four or
more digits then a dot is placed after the third digit. Apart from the enumerated numbers,
many more numbers can be synthesised or constructed by following instructions given
under appropriate class numbers. In addition, there are seven auxiliary tables to
supplement the numbers in the schedules. The relative index in Volume 3 provides
alphabetical approach to locate subjects listed in the lengthy schedules and tables. The
index is also important because it brings together all the scattered aspects of a subject
as a consolidated index entry. It is a key to using the schedules.

2.12 ANSWERS TO SELF CHECK EXERCISES

1) A decimal number is always less than one and can be further divided into ten parts.
A zero added at the end of a decimal figure makes no difference in its mathematical
value. For example 0.5, 0.50 and 0.500 all have exactly the same value.
2) See the Table 2 in Volume 1
3) The second summary of 100 divisions is given in Volume 1. Though it is not
necessary to remember any of the summaries, yet remembering some important
classes such as 510 mathematics, or 610 medicine, 954 Indian history, and 327
international relations will add to your efficiency. It will save your time and add to
your confidence in operating the DDC system.
4) There are seven Tables in the 19th edition of DDC
Table 1 Standard Subdivisions
Table 2 Areas
Table 3 Subdivisions for individual literatures
Table 4 Subdivisions for individual languages
Table 5 Racial, Ethnic and National Groups
Table 6 Languages
Table 7 Persons

37
Classification 5) i) 541.3
ii) 796.358
iii) 027.4
iv) 546.382
v) 331.137
vi) 020.3
vii) 027.454
viii) 378.009 172 3
ix) 327.54
x) 331.829 207 23

2.13 KEYWORDS
Classification : The process of grouping similar things and
separating the dissimilar ones.
Decimal Notation : Indic numerals used decimally to denote classes
and their subdivisions. All numerals in the DDC
are decimal fractions, though decimal point is not
shown in the beginning.
Divisions : 2nd Summary of knowledge in the DDC. There
are 100 divisions to each of the ten main classes.
Each division has one zero at the end.
Library Classification : It implies arrangement of books and other
information material in a way suitable and
convenient to the library users. In today’s libraries
documents are arranged by subject and their
subdivisions.
Main Classes : The first summary of knowledge in the DDC.
There are ten main classes. Each main class has
two zeroes at the end.
Notation : A system of ordinal numbers representing the
classes in a scheme of library classification. It
fixes its position relative to other documents in a
collection.
Number Building : The process of synthesis of a given base number
with a number taken from the other parts of the
schedule or tables. The DDC allows synthesis
of numbers mostly with the instructions “Add
to…”. However, the subdivisions from the Table
1 can be added without such instructions
Relative Index : Alphabetical index to the schedules and tables.
Different aspects of a subject, distributed by
38
 discipline in the schedules, are brought in the Classifying Documents
Using DDC
Index. Hence the adjective ‘relative’ is used in
its name.
Schedules : Systematic lists of classes and their subdivisions
along with their corresponding decimal numbers.
It is the volume 2 of the DDC 19.
Sections : The third summary of the DDC has 1000
sections; this summary is derived from 100
divisions in the second summary by sub-dividing
each second summary division into ten parts.
Tables : Additional recurring auxiliary concepts of
subjects and documents usually required in
library classification. There are seven tables.
Divisions from tables supplement the numbers in
the main schedule. For small libraries their use is
optional.

2.14 REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING

Batty, C.D. An Introduction to the Nineteenth Edition of the Dewy Decimal
Classification. London: Clive Bingley, 1981. Print.
Comaromi, John P. Manual on the Use of Dewey Decimal Classification Edition
19. Albany, N.Y: Forest Press, 1982. Print.
Satija, M.P. Exercises in the 19th Edition of the Dewey Decimal Classification.
New Delhi: Concept Publishing, 2001. 176. Print.

39
UNIT 3 BASICS OF CATALOGUING
Structure
3.0 Learning Outcomes
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Library Catalogue
3.2.1 Concept and Definitions
3.2.2 Purposes, Objectives and Functions of a Library Catalogue

3.3 Cataloguing Process

3.3.1 Catalogue Card
3.3.2 Unit Card System
3.3.3 Cataloguing Code
3.3.4 Cataloguing Elements
3.3.5 Basic Operations

3.4 Forms of Library Catalogue

3.5 Kinds of Entries and Approaches of the Users
3.5.1 Entries Under the Dictionary Catalogue
3.5.2 Entries According to Classified Catalogue Code of Ranganathan

3.6 Summary
3.7 Answers to Self Check Exercises
3.8 Keywords
3.9 Suggested Activities
3.10 References and Further Reading

3.0 LEARNING OUTCOMES

A library catalogue is one of the basic and indispensable tools of any library. It plays
an important role in retrieving materials available in the library. The process of
preparing the library catalogue is called library cataloguing. The objective of this Unit
is to introduce you with certain basics of library catalogue and cataloguing.
After reading this Unit, you will be able to:
 define and describe a library catalogue;
 explain the basic objectives , purposes and functions of a catalogue;
 understand the basics of cataloguing;
 identify different forms of catalogues; and
 know about various kinds of entries and their elements in cataloguing.

3.1 INTRODUCTION
You must have seen the different types of catalogues that are available for various
products and services in daily life but here we are going to introduce you with the
43
Cataloguing library catalogue which is an important and essential tool for each and every type of
libraries. It is used to facilitate the use of library collections. It can be considered as
a list of available holdings of a particular library. The technique involved in making
the catalogue card is called the cataloguing. This technique enables us to describe the
collections available in a library. It also helps the users to identify the collections as
per their choice and need. Catalogues are prepared in the libraries to assist the users
for identifying their large holdings. A library catalogue enables a reader to know if
the library has a document for which the author or the subject or the title is known.
It gives information of all the documents on a given author or in a subject or a
publisher’s series or the different editions or translations of a given title available in
the library.

3.2 LIBRARY CATALOGUE

In this section we are going to discuss the concept and definitions, objectives,
purposes and functions of a library catalogue so as to make you familiar with the
concept.

3.2.1 Concept and Definitions

The word catalogue has been derived from a Greek phrase ‘Katalogos’ “Kata”
means “by” or “according to”. “Logos” on the other hand, has different meanings
like “word”, “order” or “reason”. As such the term “catalogue” literally means
a list of something (may be books, mobile phones, colour shades, etc.) arranged in
some systematic order.

Fig. 3.1: Sample of a Library Catalogue Card

Source: www.library historybuff.org

There can be different kinds of catalogues, like a library catalogue, publisher’s

catalogue, catalogue of furniture, catalogue of two wheelers of a company, etc. In
the context of a library, a catalogue can be defined as a list of books and other types
of documents of a particular library. It is systematically arranged following a definite
order. It contains certain specific bibliographic elements. These elements enable to
identify and locate particular documents from the large collections of the library.
Though different authorities defined the term library catalogue in different contexts
they provide an almost similar basic underlying concept of the term, that a library
catalogue:
 is a list of documents available in a particular library;
44
 contains entries arranged systematically according to the catalogue code adopted Basics of Cataloguing
by the library;
 gives specific bibliographical elements of the documents in each entry to determine
and identify the document;
 provides location number of the documents which enables the users to locate
the document; and
 serves as an inventory of all the materials available in the library.

3.2.2 Purposes, Objectives and Functions of a Library

Catalogue

Fig. 3.2: Cards filled in a Library Catalogue Cabinet

Source: www.news.cornell.edu

Fig. 3.3: Library Catalogue Cabinet

Source: www.desiretime.com
45
Cataloguing

Fig. 3.4: Library Catalogue with Open Trays

Source: www.flicr.com

Purpose
The basic purpose of a library catalogue is to tell the kinds of documents available
in a library and their location on the shelves. These documents may be in a variety
of forms such as – printed documents, microfilms, other machine readable forms or
e-resources in floppies, CD-ROMs, DVDs, etc. They are shelved at different locations
in the library. To make these resources known to the users is the duty of the library
for their optimal utilisation. Libraries prepare catalogues as access tools to these
resources. Therefore, the main purpose of a library catalogue is to serve:
As an inventory and retrieval tool. It serves as a guide to various kinds
of resources enabling the users to find out their desired materials.
Objectives
The objectives of a library catalogue as described by Charles Ammi Cutter (who is
called as the father of library cataloguing) in 1876 still have substantial validity. He
used the term “book” while describing the objective. However, in place of the term
“book” the term “document” needs to be replaced to cover all types of information
sources. With certain modifications to Cutter’s description the objectives of library
catalogue can be summarised as:
 To enable a person to find a relevant document of which
- The author; or
- The title; or
- The subject is known
 To show what the library has
- By a given author or authors
- On a given subject
46 - In a given kind of literature or form of material
 To assist in the choice of a document Basics of Cataloguing

- As to its edition
- As to its content and character
- As to its physical form.
Thus a library catalogue should convey full information to the users about the availability
of the materials that are accessible through different approaches.
Functions
The functions of a library catalogue are, in fact, more or less restatements of Cutter’s
objectives. A library catalogue must perform the following functions:
 To ascertain the availability of a particular document in the library, which can be
specified by its author or title or subject;
 To show the users the existing collection of the library which may be written:
- By a given author or authors
- On a given subject or subjects
- In a given kind of literature or form of material; and
 To assist the users in choosing a particular document from the large collection
of the library as to its edition, content and character, physical form, new additions,
etc.
According to Dr. S.R. Ranganathan the function of a library catalogue is to help the
exploitation of library resources in conformity with the five laws of library science.
As such it should be so designed as to:
 Disclose to every reader his or her document ( the document needed by the
reader);
 Secure for every document its reader; and
 Save the time of the reader and staff.
Thus, a library catalogue should serve as the most effective and efficient instrument
to retrieve all kinds of documents the library has.
Activity I
After going through the above description, try to memorise, – have you ever seen
or used a library catalogue? Visit a nearby library and use the catalogue of that
library. Based upon your experience there try to answer the following:
a) What did you see in the cabinet?
.....................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................... 47
Cataloguing b) Which approach(s) helped you to find the desired document?
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
c) What problem(s) you have encountered while locating and using the catalogue?
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
Self Check Exercise
Note: i) Write your answers in the space given below.
ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit.
1) What do you mean by a library catalogue?
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
2) Describe the functions of a library catalogue.
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................

3.3 CATALOGUING PROCESS

Cataloguing is the process of preparation of entries for the construction of a catalogue
in a library. It means preparing bibliographic records of the documents. A bibliographic
record is an entry which contains data elements like call number, name of the author,
title, etc. of a book. These records become the entries of a catalogue. There are two
types of entries in a conventional library catalogue. They are:
 Main entry: It gives detail information about the document.
 Added entries: These entries are supplementary entries providing various access
points for document retrieval.

3.3.1 Catalogue Card

The entries are usually made in a standard catalogue card of 3"x5" or 12.5cm x
48 7.5cm size. The card may be a white blank card or a card with lines printed on it.
A sample of such a card (without lines) is shown below: Basics of Cataloguing

Card no. 1
First Indention HorizontalLine (Main Line)
Second Indention
Third Imaginary Indention

Punch Hole

Structure of a Catalogue Card

First Indention: Starts from nine spaces from the left margin of the card.
Second Indention: Starts from thirteen spaces from the left margin.
Third Imaginary Indention: Starts from fifteen spaces from the left margin.
3.3.2 Unit Card System
While preparing added entries, if we use all the information recorded in the main
entry it is called unit card system, as they carry the same information. In unit card
system we give information in a brief form, as the detail has been recorded in the
main entry. The only difference is that in case of added entries, the approach/access
points are made at the top of the card starting from the second indention.
Card no. 2

301
ATK Atkinson, G.B.
Studying society: an introduction to
social science/G.B Atkinson. –New York :
Oxford University Press,1987.
3498 342p.; 24cm.
ISBN 0-19-8780-13-3
1.Society-studies. I.Title.

Main Entry in Unit Card System 49

Cataloguing Card no. 3

301 SOCIETY STUDIES

ATK Atkinson, G.B.
Studying society: an introduction to
social science/G.B Atkinson. –New York :
Oxford University Press,1987.
3498 342p.; 24cm.
ISBN 0-19-8780-13-3
1.Society-studies. I.Title.

Subject Added Entry in Unit Card System

Card no. 4

301 Studying Society : an Introduction to

Social Sciences
ATK Atkinson, G.B.
Studying society: an introduction to
social science/G.B Atkinson. –New York :
Oxford University Press,1987.
3498 342p.; 24cm.
ISBN 0-19-8780-13-3
1.Society-studies. I.Title.

Title Added Entry in Unit Card System

3.3.3 Cataloguing Code

Catalogue entries are prepared according to certain rules. These rules are included
in cataloguing codes. These codes are adopted by libraries to guide the cataloguers
in preparation of catalogue cards/entries. This helps in ensuring uniformity in the
cataloguing process. Names of such codes are given below for your reference:
 1841 British Museum Cataloguing Rules
 1852 Jewett’s Rules
 1876 Cutter’s Rules
 1908 Anglo-American Code
 1934 Classified Catalogue Code (CCC)
50
 1948 Vatican Rules Basics of Cataloguing

 1949 ALA Rules

 1949 LC Description Rules
 1967 Anglo American Cataloguing Rules(AACR-1)
 1978 Anglo American Cataloguing Rules (AACR-2)
 1988 Anglo American Cataloguing Rules (AACR-2 R)

3.3.4 Cataloguing Elements

According to majority of the cataloguing codes, the main entry for a book consists
of the following elements:
 Call number of the book
 Author’s name
 Title of the book
 Sub-title of the book
 Edition of the book
 Imprint information (place of publication: publisher, date of publication)
 Collation information (pagination, illustration, size)
 Series note
 Notes i.e. some additional information about the book
 Contents
 Accession number of the book

3.3.5 Basic Operations

The cataloguing process involves the following basic operations:
 Choice and rendering of headings of main entry and added entries;
 Recording of information in the areas /sections of entries;
 Determination of style of writing, punctuation marks, capitalisation;
 Preparation of entries;
 Recording call numbers of the documents;
 Filing of catalogue cards;
 Preparation of guide cards; and
 Maintenance and updating of entries.
Note: Examples of choice and rendering of headings are included in the next Unit
of this Block.

51
Cataloguing Self Check Exercise
Note: i) Write your answers in the space given below.
ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit.
3) What is the standard size of a library catalogue card?
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
4) What are the basic elements of a main entry?
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
5) Name any five cataloguing codes.
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................

3.4 FORMS OF LIBRARY CATALOGUE

There are two forms of a library catalogue:
1) Outer / Physical Forms
2) Inner Forms
1) Outer/ Physical Forms: The outer/physical forms generally comprise:
 Bound register/ledger form
 Sheaf or loose form, printed book
 Card form
 Shelf list
 Machine readable form; etc.
Card catalogue is generally considered as the most popular physical form.
The features of the best physical form of a library catalogue are:
 Easy for use
 Easy to update
 Permits browsing

52
 Enable production of multiple copies
 Occupies very little space Basics of Cataloguing

 Acts as a good retrieval tool.

The Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) is the form which is generally used in
automated libraries these days. OPAC is a library catalogue which is in computerised
form having searching and browsing facilities. When the OPAC of any library is
connected to Web and is accessible not only to the users of that library but to all
users throughout the world, then it is known as webOPAC.

Fig. 3.5: A Person using Online Catalogue in a Library

Source: www.kitsapun.com

Fig. 3.6: Home page of IGNOU’s OPAC

Source: http://www.ignou.ac.in

In the above home page of IGNOU’s OPAC the search term library
cataloguing is given, in response to this search term the page given below
appears 53
Cataloguing

Fig. 3.7: Search Result using IGNOU’s OPAC

Source: http://www.ignou.ac.in

The card catalogue has served as the standard outer/physical form for almost a
century. After the advent of OPAC the card form of the catalogue is becoming
outdated. In spite of this you are learning how to prepare catalogue cards in this
course because it will give you theoretical knowledge of the concept. Moreover,
card form of catalogue will help the users locate documents till your library is
automated.
2) Inner Forms: The inner forms, on the other hand, determine the order or mode
of arrangement of the entry elements. Such forms include:
 Author catalogue
 Name catalogue
 Title catalogue
 Subject catalogue
 Dictionary catalogue
 Classified catalogue
Of these, dictionary and classified catalogues are important inner forms of catalogue.
Points to remember:
* Good library services will not be provided without a catalogue.
* A catalogue also helps in book selection and acquisition.
* It helps in identifying the interrelated subjects.
* It gives the idea about the location of a book.
54
 Basics of Cataloguing
3.5 KINDS OF ENTRIES AND APPROACHES OF
THE USERS
Entries can be grouped under two categories:
 Main entry: It is the basic entry, which provides all the essential information
about a document. This helps the users to identify a particular document available
in the library.
 Added entries/ Additional entries: Added entries, as supplementary entries
to the main entry, help the users to find a document under different access
points/ approaches. The access points and approaches are the following:
- Author approach: This approach helps the user to find a document by its
author’s name.
- Title approach: With this approach the user can locate a document by its
title.
- Subject approach: Through this approach documents can be located by
the subject.
- Series approach: This approach helps in locating a document according
to its series name and number.
- Content approach (analytical): It helps in finding out a particular part(s)
of a document, etc.
Now let us discuss various kinds of entries under the dictionary catalogue and
classified catalogue. But first we must know about a dictionary catalogue and a
classified catalogue.
In dictionary catalogue the entries are arranged according to alphabetical
order and in classified catalogue the entries are arranged according to
class numbers.

3.5.1 Entries Under the Dictionary Catalogue

Different types of entries under this catalogue include:
- Main entry: Generally prepared basing the author, corporate author and sometimes
by the title if the author is not given.
- Added entries: There are various types of added entries. These include
collaborator entries, subject entries, title entries, reference entries and analytical
entries.
- Collaborator entry: The editor, translator, illustrator, etc. comes under the category
of collaborators.
- Subject entry: Prepared basing the subject of the document.
- Title entry: Prepared basing the title of the document.
- Reference entries: These are generally of two types ‘see’ and ‘see also’ reference
entries.
- Analytical entries: These are of three types:
 Author analytical: Prepared basing the author of the part of a document.
 Subject analytical: Prepared basing the subject of the part of a document.
55
 Title analytical: Prepared basing the title of the part of a document.
Cataloguing You will learn more about analytical entries in BLIS programme. The other added
entries will be discussed in detail in the second Unit of this course.

Main Entry Added Entries

Joint Author Subject Subject Title Title Collaborator Series Reference

Author Analytical Analytical Analytical

Editor Translator Illustrator Others

Subject Others

See See Also

Variant Alternative Real name Editor of

Forms of names pseudonym Series
names

Fig.3.8: Different Types of Entries in a Dictionary Catalogue

The author of a document is given the maximum importance in a dictionary catalogue.

But there are varieties of books written by two or more than two authors, corporate
bodies’ like a government department, a society, an association or organisation, etc.
This creates problems in preparing the main entry while choosing the headings. In this
case the rules given in the catalogue code adopted by the library should be examined.
The main entry can be made under the name of the person, body, organisation, etc.
as per the rules given in the code. Added entries also should be prepared by other
possible approaches like subject, title, etc. In the dictionary catalogue, two types of
reference entries namely “See” reference and “See also” reference are provided. A
“See” reference directs the user from a form of the name of person, body or title
of a document to the form that has been chosen for the catalogue. For example, a
Manipuri personal name IBOHAL can be written as:

56
 IBOHANBI Basics of Cataloguing

IBUNGOHAL, etc.

A user may search the catalogue under any of these forms. In such cases ‘See’
reference entries are provided.

Card no.5

Ibohal
See
Ibohani

For subject also such entries can be provided as in the example below.

Card no.6

CYTOLOGY
See
CELLS

On the other hand, a “See also” reference directs the users from one heading to
other related headings. Examine the following example:

57
Cataloguing Card no. 7

CATALOGUING
See also
TECHNICAL SERVICE

Cataloguing is an important technical service of a library. In the example, there are

entries in the catalogue both under the Referred from heading CATALOGUING
and also under the Referred to heading TECHNICAL SERVICE. Such entries
enable the user to find the related materials.
Data Elements in Dictionary Catalogue
Data elements are those elements that provide information about a document in the
catalogue entry. A group of data elements arranged in a prescribed order constitute
the area of description. According to the International Standard Bibliographic
Description (ISBD) there are eight areas for describing a document:
- Title and Statement of Responsibility
- Edition
- Material ( or type of publication ) specific details
- Publication, Distribution, etc.
- Physical Description
- Series
- Note
- Standard Number and Terms of availability
AACR-2R provides details about these areas. However, it is not necessary that
every catalogued document should have all these areas. The code also prescribes
three levels of description. According to the nature, size of the library and also the
nature of the document the cataloguer has to decide whether to give all the areas of
description or omit some areas. The details of these areas and levels of description
are discussed in the Unit-4 of this course. There are nine parts/sections in the main
entry of a dictionary catalogue. They are:
1) Heading: Main access point for the document.
2) Body of the entry: The first paragraph of the main entry consists of four areas:
58
 a) title and statement of responsibility; Basics of Cataloguing

b) edition;
c) type of material; and
d) publication, etc.
3) Physical description area: The second paragraph gives information about the
volume number, page number, illustrations, size of the document, etc.
4) Series area: It provides information about documents published under series.
5) Note area: This area provides additional useful information about the document.
6) Standard number and terms of availability area: ISBN or ISSN is given
in this area.
7) Tracing: Last paragraph of the main entry indicates the added entries.
8) Call number: Notational unique symbols to identify a document and it is
entered at the upper left corner of the card.
9) Accession number: Serial number of the document usually transcribed on the
5th line from the top of the catalogue card of the main entry.
The following skeleton card shows the way how these data elements are transcribed
in the main entry of a dictionary catalogue as per AACR-2R.
Card no. 8

Call No. Author’s Name

Title: Subtitle/Author(s); Collaborator(s).
-- Edition. -- Place of Publication: name of the
publisher, date of publication
Acc. No. No. of pages: ill; size of document in cm
-- (Series/editor of series, ISSN of series; No.
of the series).
Note
Standard Number
Tracing

Skeleton Card showing Data Elements

For the added entries, if Unit Card System is followed, the same data elements as
in the main entry are to be transcribed giving the added entry element at the top of
card starting from the second indention. Subject headings for the added entries are
derived from a standard list of subject headings, e.g. Sears List of Subject
Headings. In case Unit Card System is not followed, the following elements are
generally given:
 Call number
 Added entry elements
 Main entry heading 59
Cataloguing  Title
 Edition
 Year
Examine the following structures given in card no. 9 and 10:
Card no. 9

330.155
MOH Mohendro Singh, N.
Welfare econics. -- 3rd ed. -- 2009.
xi,305p.;23 cm.—(Economics series; 6)

3050
1. Welfare Economics. I. Title.

Structure of a Main Entry Card

Card no. 10

330.155 WELFARE ECONOMICS

MOH Mohendro Singh, N.
Welfare econics. -- 3rd ed. -- 2009.

3050

Structure of an Added Entry without following Unit Card System

3.5.2 Entries According to Classified Catalogue Code of

Ranganathan
A classified catalogue consists of two parts:
Classified part: This part includes number entries comprising main and cross reference
entries.
Alphabetical part: This part includes word entries comprising alphabetical entries.
60
All entries of this part are added entries.
Under classified catalogue the following different kinds of entries are prepared: Basics of Cataloguing

Classified part:
 Main Entry: In a classified catalogue it is always prepared by Call no. (Class
number and book no.) so it is the number entry. It is the subject entry.
 Cross Reference Entries: These are also number entries prepared by the
class number of the part of the document. These are added entries.
Alphabetical part:
 Class Index Entries: These are added and word entries, derived by chain
procedure from the class number of the main entry.
 Book Index Entries: These are added entries prepared under the name of
author, collaborator, series, and in some cases title also (if the title is fanciful).
 Cross Reference Index Entries: These are ‘see’ and ‘see also’ entries. They
directs the user from one heading to another.
Data Elements in Classified Catalogue
In the classified catalogue, the sections or parts in the main entry include:
 Leading section: It is the first section occupied by the call number.
 Heading: This section records the authorship or its substitute element.
 Title section: This section provides the title of the document.
 Note section: It provides additional information about the document.eg. series.
 Accession number section: It records the accession number at the first vertical
of the bottom-most line.
 Tracing section: This section is appears on the reverse of the Main Entry card
in the following way:
- The reverse of the card is imagined to be divided into two halves.
- On the left half of the card cross reference entries are listed.
- Class index entries, book index entries, cross reference index entries are
listed on the right half of the card.
Card no. 11

Leading Section
Heading Section
Title Section
Note Section

Accession Number Section

Skeleton of a Main Entry Card 61

Cataloguing Card no. 11 (A)

Cross Reference Entry Class Index Entry(s)

Book Index Entry(s)

Cross Reference Index

Entry(s)

Skeleton of a Tracing at back of Main Entry Card

In case of other entries, the heading section is occupied by alphabetical words

entries. A specimen main entry as per Classified Catalogue Code is shown below:

Card no. 12

2:55 N3 N58
RANGANATHAN (S R).
Classified catalogue code with additional
rules for a dictionary catalogue. Ed 5. Assis by
A.Neelameghan.
(Ranganathan series in library science. 2).
65321

Main Entry according to CCC

The cross reference is given under the class number for the other classes for which
entries are to be made. Thus cross reference links relate works or concepts. The
Class Index Entries are derived from the class number through chain procedure.
Such entries direct the user to the classified part of the catalogue.

62
 Card no. 13 Basics of Cataloguing

Leading Section
Direction Section
Index Number Section

Skeleton Card of CIE

Now let us see how these entries are prepared with the help of the example:

From the class number 2.55 N3 N58 the Class Index Entries are derived as follows:

2:55N3 N58 : S R Ranganathan (Sought link)

2:55 N3 : Classified Catalogue Code (Sought link)

2:55 : Cataloguing (Sought link)

2:5 : Technical Treatment, Library Science (Unsought link)

2: : False link

2 : Library Science (Sought link)

The above entries are derived by using the chain procedure by using the 6th rev. ed.
of Colon Classification. In chain procedure the sought link is that link through which
a user approaches his/her document. The unsought link is that link which is not
looked by any user while searching his/her document. The false link is that part of
the chain which does not represent a class number and generally ends at a connecting
symbol.

In this way the following four entries are prepared from the above chain:

Raganathan (S R), Classified Catalogue Code

Classified Catalogue Code, Cataloguing

Cataloguing, Technical Treatment

Library Science

63
Cataloguing Tracing

Ranganathan,S.R,
Classified catalogue code.
Classified catalogue code,
Cataloguing.
Cataloguing, Technical
treatment.
Library Science.
Ranganathan, S.R.
Ranganathan series in library
science.

Back of the main Entry Card

From card no.14 to 17 Class Index Entries are shown.
Card no. 14

RANGANATHAN (S.R), CLASSIFIED

CATALOGUE CODE.
For documents in this Class and its
Subdivisions, see the Classified Part of the
catalogue under the Class Number
2:55N3 N58

Card no. 15

CLASSIFIED CATALOGUE CODE,

CATALOGUING.
For documents in this Class and its
Subdivisions, see the Classified Part of the
catalogue under the Class Number
2:55N3

64
 Card no. 16 Basics of Cataloguing

CATALOGUING, TECHNICAL
TREATMENT.
For documents in this Class and its
Subdivisions, see the Classified Part of the
catalogue under the Class Number
2:55

Card no. 17

LIBRARY SCIENCE.
For documents in this Class and its
Subdivisions, see the Classified Part of the
catalogue under the Class Number 2

The Class Index Entry as shown in above cards consists of three sections
 Leading Section: It contains the heading, subheadings for CIE derived from
chain procedure
 Directing Section: It directs the reader to class number. This section consists of
the following directing words:
“For documents in this Class and its Subdivisions, see the Classified Part of the
catalogue under the Class Number”
Note: The following seven alphabets of the above directing section are written in
capitals:
F- For
C- Class
S- Subdivisions
C- Classified 65
Cataloguing P- Part
C- Class
N- Number
 Index Number: It consists of Class Number representing the heading section.
Book index entries are prepared under the names of authors, editors, translators,
series, sometimes title, etc.
In card no.18 a book index entry of author is shown
Card no. 18

RANGANATHAN (S R).
Classified catalogue code with additional
rules for a dictionary catalogue. Ed 5.
2:55 N3 N58

In card no.19 a BIE of series is shown

Card no. 19

RANGANATHAN SERIES IN LIBRARY

SCIENCE
2 Ranganathan: Classified catalogue code
with additional rules for a dictionary catalogue.
Ed 5. 2:55 N3 N58

Cross reference index entries are prepared to direct the attention of the user from
one heading to another synonymous heading in the alphabetical part.
In card no.20 a cross reference index entry is shown.
66
 Card no. 20 Basics of Cataloguing

IGNOU
See also
INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN
UNIVERSITY

Such entries are prepared to meet the different approaches of the users.
Self Check Exercise
Note: i) Write your answers in the space given below.
ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit.
6) Write the features of the best physical form of a library catalogue.
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
7) What are the different kinds of entries that can be prepared in a library catalogue?
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
8) Fill in the blanks:
1) Word ‘Katalogus’ is derived from a ............................ word.
2) ......................... indention of a catalogue card is called imaginary indention.
3) ......................... is called the father of library cataloguing.

3.6 SUMMARY
A library catalogue is one of important search tools of the library materials. It aims
to fulfil the needs of the users for locating materials available in the library. To meet
the approaches of the users such catalogues are prepared using standard size catalogue
cards. Different entries are, therefore, prepared such as main entry, added entries,
67
etc. While preparing catalogue entries, any library has to follow a standard code as
Cataloguing per its requirements. Certain operations need to be followed for the purpose. It is
also essential to follow certain principles and rules concerning the choice of headings,
format, etc. The process of making a catalogue is known as cataloguing. In the
process the cataloguer has to know about the data elements to be transcribed on the
specific areas of the catalogue card.

3.7 ANSWERS TO SELF CHECK EXERCISES

1) A library catalogue is a list of documents available in a library, arranged according
to some rule, which is used to retrieve the desired material from the library.
2) The functions of a library catalogue are: i) to make the users know about the
documents available in the library; ii) to enable them find documents through
different approaches such as by author, title, subject, etc.; and iii) to assist them
in choosing a particular document out of the huge collection.
3) The standard size of a catalogue card is 5"x3" or 12.5cm x 7.5cm.
4) The basic elements of a Main Entry are: Call Number, Author, Title, Sub-title,
Edition, Imprint, Collation, Series Note, Notes, Contents and Accession
Number.
5) British Museum Cataloguing Rules, Cutter’s Rules, Vatican Rules, ALA Rules,
AACR-2.
6) The features of the best physical form of a library catalogue include:
Easy for use, updating, and access; occupying little space; ability for producing
multiple copies; and acting as a good retrieval tool.
7) The different kinds of entries that can be prepared in a library catalogue include
main entry and added entries. To meet different approaches of the users different
kinds of added entries under different access points such as collaborator, title,
subject, analytical, reference, cross references, etc. are prepared.
8) 1) Greek
2) Third
3) Charles Ammi Cutters

3.8 KEYWORDS
Access Point : A term used to search or identify a document
from the library, also known as approach point.
Bibliographic Record : A catalogue entry giving full bibliographic
description of the document such as author,
title, edition, publisher, place, date, etc.
Call Number : Notation used to identify and locate a document
from the library. It comprises class number, book
number and collection number of the document.
Cataloguer : The person who prepares catalogue in the
library.
Chain Procedure : Procedure to derive class index entries from a
class number. This mechanical method was
introduced by S.R.Ranganathan.
68
Classified Catalogue : A catalogue in which subject entries are arranged Basics of Cataloguing
according to class number of the document.
Collaborator : A person who associates with other person(s)
to produce a document.
Dictionary Catalogue : A catalogue of word entries (author, title,
subject, series, etc.) arranged in a general
alphabetical order and usable as a dictionary.
Document : A term used to denote a book and other similar
information sources.
Fanciful Title : Title that does not disclose the subject of the
work.
Indentions : Designated vertical margins or spaces from the
left margin of the catalogue card.

3.9 SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES

i) Visit some of the nearby libraries of your locality and try to find out:
a) The name of the cataloguing code they are using.
b) The types of entries they prepare.
c) The form of catalogue they use.
d) The number of libraries using software packages for cataloguing.
e) The name the software package being used by them.
ii) Ask some of the users of these libraries and assess their level of satisfaction on
the use of library catalogues and find out the most suitable form of the catalogues
used by them.

3.10 REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING

Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules. 2ndrev.ed.Chicago: American Library
Association, 1988.Print.
Girja Kumar, and Krishan Kumar. Theory of Cataloguing. 5th rev.ed. New Delhi:
Vikas Publishing House, 1993. Print.
Krishan Kumar. Cataloguing. New Delhi:Har Anand Publications, 1993. Print.
IGNOU. Library Cataloguing Theory. BLIS-04, Blocks 1-4. New Delhi: IGNOU,
2008. Print.
Ranganathan, S.R. Classified Catalogue Code with Additional Rules for
Dictionary Catalogue.5th ed. Bangalore: Sarada Ranganathan Endowment for Library
Science, 1992. Print.
Viswanathan, C.G. Cataloguing Theory and Practice. 5th ed. Lucknow: Print House,
1983. Print.

69
 UNIT 4 CATALOGUING DOCUMENTS
USING AACR-2R
Structure
4.0 Learning Outcomes
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Structure of AACR-2R
4.2.1 Part I: Description
4.2.2 Part II: Headings, Uniform Titles and References

4.3 Levels of Description

4.3.1 First Level of Description
4.3.2 Second Level of Description
4.3.3 Third Level of Description

4.4 Entries under AACR – 2R

4.4.1 Important Items in Catalogue Entry

4.5 Cataloguing Documents

4.6 Cataloguing Practice
4.6.1 Single Personal Authorship
4.6.2 Document with Shared Responsibility

4.7 Edited Books

4.8 Corporate Authors
4.9 Proceedings of Conferences, Seminars, Workshops, Symposia, etc.
4.10 Cataloguing Serials
4.11 Cataloguing Non-book Material
4.12 Sacred Books and Scriptures
4.13 Summary
4.14 Suggested Activities
4.15 Answers to Self Check Exercises
4.16 Keywords
4.17 References and Further Reading

4.0 LEARNING OUTCOMES

The availability of a particular document in a library can be known from its catalogue.
Such catalogues are prepared by following certain rules. There are different codes
developed for cataloguing documents. AACR-2 (Anglo–American Cataloging Rules-
2 Revised) is one such code which is adopted by many libraries around the world.
This Unit tells you how different types of documents can be located with various
approaches using this code.
70
After reading this Unit, you will be able to: Cataloguing Documents
Using AACR-2R
 understand the fundamental structure of AACR-2R;
 know the rules for different entries given in this code;
 prepare different kinds of entries using the code; and
 describe the process of cataloguing different types of documents.

4.1 INTRODUCTION
AACR (Anglo–American Cataloging Rules) is one of the widely used cataloguing
codes. It was first published in 1908 as the Anglo-American Cataloguing Code,
(AA Code). The same was revised and published in 1949 as ALA Cataloguing
Rules for Author and Title entries. After the International Conference on Cataloguing
Principles (ICCP) in 1961 a new international code having a set of rules was evolved.
Subsequently, AACR (Anglo – American Cataloging Rules) was published in 1967.
The code was prepared by the American Library Association, the Library of Congress,
the Library Association, and the Canadian Library Association. It was known as
AACR-1.
The second edition of Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, with revision was appeared
in 1978 as AACR-2. The same was prepared by the:
 American Library Association
 British Library
 Canadian Committee on Cataloguing
 Library Association
 Library of Congress
After a gap of 10 years, in 1988, certain provisions of 1978 edition were revised
and published. Thus AACR-2R (2nd revised edition) is the latest revised edition of
the Code. This Unit gives you the fundamental structure of AACR-2R, entries that
can be prepared using the code and the process of cataloguing in a more practical
way. You must have gone through the theoretical aspects related with cataloguing
process in the previous Unit of this Block.

4.2 STRUCTURE OF AACR-2R

AACR-2R consists of two parts: Part I and Part II.

4.2.1 Part I: Description

Part I covers rules for standard description of all kinds of material (print and non-
print). It contains 13 chapters as enumerated below:
1) General Rules for Description
2) Books, Pamphlets and Printed Sheets
3) Cartographic Materials
4) Manuscripts
5) Music 71
Cataloguing 6) Sound Recordings
7) Motion Pictures and Video Recordings
8) Graphic Materials
9) Machine Readable Data Files
10) Three Dimensional Artifacts and Realia
11) Microforms
12) Serials
13) Analysis
The rules for specific types of materials are given in chapters 2-12 while chapter 13
provides rules for analytical entries. There are no chapters in between 13 to 21.

4.2.2 Part II: Headings, Uniform Titles and References

This part deals with the determination and establishment of headings or access points
in the catalogue. It contains rules for choice of main entry and added entries, form
of headings and uniform titles and references. These rules are applicable to all types
of library materials irrespective of their medium. There are six chapters in this part
beginning with chapter no. 21.
21. Choice of Access Points
22. Headings for Persons
23. Geographic Names
24. Heading for Corporate Bodies
25. Uniform Titles
26. References
Besides, AACR – 2R also provides four different appendices as given below:
Appendix A: Capitalization. Appendix B: Abbreviations. Appendix C: Numerals.
Appendix D: Glossary. At the end of the code a useful index compiled by
KGB Backwell is also provided.

4.3 LEVELS OF DESCRIPTION

AACR-2R has prescribed three levels of description as given below:

4.3.1 First Level of Description

The first level provides minimum information useful in the identification of a given
document. This level is useful for small types of libraries. It includes at least the
elements set out in the following schematic illustration:
Title proper/first statement of responsibility, if different from main entry
heading in form or number or if there is no main entry heading. -Edition
Statement. -Materials (or type of publication) specific details. -First publisher,
etc., date of publication, etc. -Extent of item. -Note(s). -Standard number.

72
1st level of description Cataloguing Documents
Using AACR-2R
Card no. 1

MATHUR, B.L.
Principles of auditing.—11th ed. --
Jaipur: RBSA, 1991
xiv, 515p.;23cm

4.3.2 Second Level of Description

Also called standard description, the second level provides all the data necessary for
the description of documents. This level is useful for medium to large libraries. It
includes at least the elements set out in the following schematic illustration:
Title proper [general material description] = Parallel title: Other title
information/first statement of responsibility; each subsequent statement of
responsibility. -Edition statement/first statement of responsibility relating to
the edition. -Material (or type of publication) specific details. -First place of
publication, etc.: First Publisher, etc., date of publication, etc. -Extent of
item: other physical details; dimensions. -(Title proper of series/statement of
responsibility relating to series, ISSN of series; numbering within the series.
Title of subseries, ISSN of subseries; numbering within subseries). -Note(s).
- Standard number.
The same book under 2nd level of description will be catalogued as:
Card no. 2

MATHUR, B.L.
Principles of auditing: theory and practice/ B.
L Mathur; ed.by P.V Rajamannar.—11th ed.-
Jaipur: RBSA, 1991.
xiv,515p.;23cm.—(Harper economic
series;7).

73
Cataloguing The above examples show the difference between first level and second level
of description. The items in blue colour are being added in the second level
only.

4.3.3 Third Level of Description

The third level provides every possible element of description as included in the
code. This level is useful for large and special types of libraries. For this level it is
prescribed to include all the elements set out in the rules that are applicable to the
item being described.
Self Check Exercise
Note: i) Write your answers in the space given below.
ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit.
1) What is AACR-2R?
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
2) How many parts and chapters are there in AACR-2R?
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................

4.4 ENTRIES UNDER AACR – 2R

From the previous Unit we have understood that entries are prepared on catalogue
cards of standard size of 12.5 cm × 7.5 cm or 5" × 3". As discussed earlier, two
types of catalogue entries can be prepared: main entry and added entries. It is to be
noted that the main entry is the complete catalogue record of a document. It provides
information on the headings under which added entries are prepared to meet different
approaches of the users like: joint author, title, series, collaborators, subjects, etc.

4.4.1 Important Items in Catalogue Entry

The important items to be written while making a catalogue entry include:
- Heading
- Areas and descriptive elements
- Call number
- Accession number
- Punctuation marks
- Tracing
Heading
Under heading the entry is made with the name of a person or body or title, etc.
74
 Card no. 3 Cataloguing Documents
Using AACR-2R

Surname Followed by a comma Personal name

Sharma, Sumit Kumar.

In case the name of the author cannot be accommodated on the first line then it
continues from the third imaginary indention. It applies to corporate authors also.
But, when the book is entered under the title it begins from the first indention and
continues from the second indention. This type of transcribing the entry is known as
hanging indention. In case of hanging indention, all the information about the
collaborators, editions, imprint, etc. continues from the second indention only.
Example of Hanging Indention:
Card no. 4
Hanging Indention

Magnetic properties of metals/N.Achiwa

...[et al]; editedby H.P.J. Wijn.– 2nd ed.–
Berlin: Springer, 1991.

75
Cataloguing Card no. 5
Heading

Class No.
025.1 Title and
St92L Suert D. Robert statement of
responsibility
Book No.
Library and information centre
management/Robert D.Stuert.—6th ed.—
Colorado: Libraries Unlimited,2004.
xxv,493p.;24cm.—(Library and
Publication, information science text series).
Distribution etc.
area ISBN 1-56308-986-6
1.Library administration. I. Title.
Physical
Description area II. Series. Series
Area

Standard No. Tracing

Card Showing all the Areas

Areas and Descriptive Elements
There are eight areas of description of every document to be catalogued:
1) Title and statement of responsibility
2) Edition
3) Material ( or type of publication ) Specific Details
4) Publication, distribution, etc.
5) Physical description
6) Series
7) Note
8) Standard number and terms of availability.
Each of these areas is further extended into a number of elements with the use of
connecting symbols/punctuation marks. The following skeleton card shows the way
how the description and punctuation marks are entered while cataloguing documents.
It is to be kept in mind that the sequence of description and punctuation marks are
common to all the documents to be catalogued. We have to follow this sequence in
cataloguing practice using AACR-2R. This card provides the general descriptive
elements applicable to most of the documents. If a document under cataloguing has
additional information, additional description is to be given.

76
 Card no. 6 Cataloguing Documents
Using AACR-2R

Call No.
Author’s name
Title: Subtitle/Author(s); Collaborator
(s). —Edition. — Place of publication: name
of the publisher, Date of publication.
Acc. No. No. of pages: ill.; size of document in cm.
— (Series/editor of series, ISSN of series; No.
of the series).
Note
Standard Number
Tracing
Skeleton Card Showing Description
Title and Statement of Responsibility Area
This area consists of five elements:
1) Title proper
2) General material description (GMD)
3) Parallel title
4) Other title information
5) Statement of responsibility
Title Proper
The title proper is to be transcribed exactly as to wording, order, and spelling, but
not necessarily as to punctuation and capitalisation. It is written from the second
indention and continued from the first indention.
Example 1: Basics of cataloguing
General Material Description (GMD)
This is an optional addition. Two types of GMD are given in AACR-2R for (a)
British Agencies and (b) North American Agencies under two separate lists. As
desired one of the two is to be selected. Square brackets [ ] are used as punctuation
mark for GMD. It is to be transcribed just after the title proper.
Example 2: a) Roads of North East India [cartographic material]®British system
b) Roads of North East India [map]®North American System
Parallel Title
The title proper in another language or script is called parallel title and written
immediately after the title proper in the order indicated by the sequence preceded
by punctuation equal sign “=” as shown below:
Example 3: On world government = De monarchia
Other Title Information
The other title information (if any) should be recorded following the proper title or
77
parallel title preceded by punctuation colon “:” as illustrated in the following example:
Cataloguing Example 4: a) Connected intelligence: The arrival of the Web Society
b) Cataloguing practice: An approach to AACR-2
Statement of Responsibility
It is the author statement of the document: persons or corporate bodies. This area
should be preceded by a diagonal slash “/”.
Example 5: The evaluation and measurement of library services/ Joseph R
Matthews.
Card no. 7

025.10973
M422E Mathews, Joseph R.
The evaluaion and measurement of library
services/Joseph R. Mathews.

Shared Responsibility
If there are two statements of responsibility, each has to be preceded by a semicolon;”
Two authors
Example 6: Library and information centre management/ Robert D. Stueart and
Barbara B. Moran. Sixth edition
Card no. 8

025.1
St92L Stueart, Robert D.
Library and Information centre
management/ Robert D. Stuert and Barbara B.
Moran.—6th ed.

78
Example 7 Cataloguing Documents
Using AACR-2R
Three author’s Developmental Psychology
Robert M. Liebert, Rita Wicks-Nelson, Robert V. Kail
Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs
New Jersey, 1986
If there are three authors it is recorded as shown in the card no.9:
Card no. 9

155
LIE Libert, Robert M.
Development psychology/Robert M.
Liebert, Rita Wicks-Nelson and Robert V.
Kail.– 4th ed. – Englewook Cliffs,New Jersey:
Prentice-Hall, 1986.

More than three authors

In such cases, only the first author is taken into account followed by the mark of
omission “…” and et al. in square brackets

Example 8: a) Reading habit in digital era/Ch.Ibohal Singh… [et al.]

Material (or type of publication) Specific Details Area

This area is used for cartographic materials, music, computer files, serial publications,
microforms, etc.

Example-9: a) School atlas [map]

Publication, Distribution, etc. Area

This area records information about place of publication, name of the publisher and
date of publication of all types of publishing, distributing, releasing, issuing, activities
following the edition area which is separated with full stop, dash, space (.– ).

Example-10: How to improve quality in research/G. Devarajan.-1st ed. -New Delhi:

Ess Ess Publications, 2002.

79
Cataloguing Card no. 10

Devaranjan, G
How to improve quality in research /G.
Devarajan.–1st ed.–New Delhi: Ess Ess
Publications, 2002.

Physical Description Area

This is to be entered in a separate paragraph.
Example-11: xii, 315p. : ills; 25cm.
Here, xii = preliminary pages; 315 = textual pages; a full stop and colon follow the
page number; ill = illustration; 25 cm = the size of the book is preceded by a
semicolon.
Series Area
The series information is provided within parenthesis preceded by full stop, space,
dash, space i.e. (. — )
Example-12: — (Ranganathan series in library science)
The statement of responsibility of the series or subseries is preceded by a diagonal
slash (/).
Example-13: (Technical report series/World Health Organisation)
If the series provides ISSN, then it is given after the statement of responsibility
preceded by a comma.
Example-14: (Western Canada series report, ISSN 0317-3127)
The numbering within a series or subseries is preceded by a semicolon (;).
Example-15: (Environmental science research; v.6)
Note Area
When further description of a document is necessary the note area is rendered in a
separate paragraph. There are some important items that can be included in the note
area.
– Language
Example-16: Commentary in Manipuri

80 – Source of title proper

Example-17: Cover title: Library Seminar Cataloguing Documents
Using AACR-2R
Standard Number and Terms of Availability Area
The standard number like ISBN or ISSN is recorded after the Note area with
agreed abbreviation and standard spacing or hyphenation.
Example-18: ISBN 81 – 7000 – 315 – 6
Call Number
The call number consists of the class number and book number. The class number
is transcribed one line above the horizontal line after leaving one space from the left
edge of the card. The book number is transcribed on the first horizontal line after
leaving one space from the left edge of the card.
Accession Number
Though there is no rule prescribed for accession number it is usually transcribed on
the 5th line from the red horizontal line of the card.
Punctuation Marks
The punctuation marks as prescribed in AACR – 2R should be followed along with
descriptive areas and elements.
Tracing
Tracing is the record of all the added entries to be prepared, which may include the
entries under subject headings, joint authors, collaborators, title, series, etc. Subject
headings are derived from the Sears List of Subject Headings and other standard
lists of subject headings.
Self Check Exercise
Note: i) Write your answers in the space given below.
ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit.
3) What are the important entry elements used in cataloguing?
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
4) Enumerate the eight areas to be described in cataloguing documents as per
AACR-2R.
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................

4.5 CATALOGUING DOCUMENTS

AACR-2R gives rules for determining the access points of the main entry and added
entries. Some important principles are given below: 81
Cataloguing  The main entry will be under the name of the personal author or corporate body
responsible for the document.
 Generally four kinds of access points are resulted from descriptive cataloguing:
– Personal name access points
– Corporate name access points
– Uniform titles
– Native and title access points
 The title of the document, subject headings and other added entries as specified
on the main entry card also provide access points.
 The main entry will be under the title of the document if the same does not relate
to personal authorship or corporate bodies.

4.6 CATALOGUING PRACTICE

In the next section let us apply the rules, descriptions and principles discussed above
into practice with some selected examples.

4.6.1 Single Personal Authorship

For a book having single personal author, the entry is made under the name of the
author.
Example-1: The following is the example of a book written by a single
personal author.

TQM in Library and Information

Services

Dr. Roshan Raina

Infuse,Inc.

New Delhi

Other Information
Call no. : 025.1 R133T
Accession no. : 44164
Pages : ix, 152
Year of Publication : 1999
Size : 21cm
ISBN : 81-87076-42-9
Note : Includes a select bibliography
82
 Main Entry Cataloguing Documents
Using AACR-2R

025.1
R133T Raina, Roshan
TQM in library and information
services/Roshan Raina.–New Delhi:
Infuse, 1999
44164 ix, 152p.21cm.
Includes a select bibliography.
1. Library Services-Quality control.
I. Title

Note:

1) From the name of the author honourific word Dr. (as given on title page with
author’s name) is removed while preparing entry as per AACR-2R rules.

2) The note about bibliography is added in the notes section.

Added Entry (Subject)

025.1 LIBRARY SERVICES-QUALITY CONTROL

R133T Raina, Roshan
(Rest as in the main entry)

Note:

1) The subject added entries are prepared by using Sears List of Subject
Headings. Subject heading is always written in capital letters.

83
Cataloguing Added Entry (Title)

025.1 TQM in library and information services

R133T Raina, Roshan
(Rest as in the main entry)

4.6.2 Document with Shared Responsibility

After doing the above example of a single author, now let us take example of shared
responsibility.

The shared responsibility is concerned with the collaboration between two or more
persons or bodies in writing a book. AACR-2R specified rules applicable to such
documents with the following scope:

- Collaborated works of two or more persons;

- Works for which different persons have prepared separate contributions;

- Works consisting of an exchange between two or more persons (like

correspondence, debates);

- Collaborated works between two or more corporate bodies or between corporate

body and a person.

Principal Responsibility

Principal authors are distinguished from other authors by giving prominence such as
wording or layout, etc. and the main entry is made under them. If the principal author
is not indicated in the title page of the book, the entry heading should be made under
the first named author.

Two Personal Authors

If the principal responsibility is not indicated in case of books written by two authors,
entry should be made under the first author.

84
Example -2: The following is the example of a book written by two personal Cataloguing Documents
Using AACR-2R
authors.

Introductory Linear Algebra with

Applications

John W. Brown
&
Donald R. Sherbert

Boston
Prindle, Weber & Schmidt
1984

Other Information
Call No. : 512.5 BRO
Acc. No. : 51621
Year of Publication : 1984
Size : 26 cm.
Page : xii, 491p
ISBN : 0-87150-700-S
Main Entry

512.5
BRO Brown, John W.
Introductory linear algebra with
applications / John W. Brownand Donald
R. Sherbert.–Boston:Prindle, Windle and
Schmidt, 1984.

51621 xii, 491p.; 26cm.

ISBN 0-87150-700-S
Continued on next card
85
Cataloguing Main Entry (Continued)

512.5 Continued 1.
BRO Brown, John W.
1. Linear Algebra. I.Sherbert, R.
Donald. II. Title.

In the above example, the principal responsibility is not indicated, the book is written
by two authors and both are equally treated. So the main entry is prepared by the
name of the first author and an added entry is prepared by the name of the second
author
Added Entry (Subject)

512.5 LINEAR ALGEBRA

BRO Brown, John W.
(Rest as in the main entry)

Added Entry (Joint Author)

512.5 Sherbert, Donald R.

BRO Brown, John W.
(Rest as in the main entry)

86
 Added Entry (Title) Cataloguing Documents
Using AACR-2R

512.5 Introductory linear algebra with

applications.
BRO Brown, John W.
(Rest as in the main entry)

Note: The continuation of the title is from third (imaginary) indention.

Three Personal Authors
For books written by three authors, the main entry is made under the first author
provided the other two authors are not shown as principal authors. Added entries
are made for the second and third authors.
Example-3

Introduction to Developmental Psychology

Robert K. Liberhan
(University of London)
Geeta Wicks – Nickson
(New Delhi, Institute of Technology)
Herbert K. Nail

(Erasmus University, Netherlands)

Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, New
Jersey

87
Cataloguing
Other Information

Call No. : 155 LIB

Acc. No. : 3074

Pages : XIX, 848

Year of Publication : 1996

Size : 28 cm

Edition : 4th

ISBN : 0-1848-1

As all the three authors are given equal status in this book, the entries are made
following the above rules.

Main Entry

155
LIB Liberhan, Robert K.
Introduction to developmental
psychology/Robert K Liberhan, Geeta
Wicks-Nickson, Herbert K. Nail. -- 4th ed. --
I Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey:
3074 Prentice Hall, 1996
xix, 848p.; 28cm
ISBN 0-1848-1
Continued on next card.

Main Entry (Continued)

155 Continued 1.
LIB Liberhan, Robert K.
1. Psycology, Developmental I. Wicks-
Neckson, Gita. II. Nail, Herbert K. III. Title

88
 Added Entry (Subject) Cataloguing Documents
Using AACR-2R

155 PSYCHOLOGY, DEVELOPMENTAL

LIB Liberhan, Robert K.
Introduction to developmental
psychology.
(Rest in the main entry)

Added Entry (Second Author)

155 Wicks-Nickson, Geeta

LIB Liberhan, Robert K.
Introduction to developmental
psychology.
(Rest in the main entry)

Added Entry (Third Author)

155 Nail, Herbert K.

LIB Liberhan, Robert K.
Introduction to developmental
psychology.
(Rest in the main entry)

89
Cataloguing Added Entry (Title)

155 Introduction to developmental

psychology
LIB Liberhan, Robert K.
Introduction to developmental
psychology.
(Rest in the main entry)

If principal responsibility is indicated in case of books written by three authors, main

entry is to be made under the name of the author who is identified as principal author
in the work. But the number and nature of other entries are almost similar as in the
above example.
More than three personal authors
In case a book is written by more than three authors and none of them is shown as
principal author, main entry is made under the title. The first named author alone is
entered with an added entry. The name of the first author is followed by the sign of
omission “…” and “et al” in square brackets. The continuation of the title and
responsibility area are from the second indention. This type of rendering of the entry
is called the hanging indention.
Example-4

Comparative Psychology

David K. Horton
Ronald B. Bailey
M. Biren Singh
K.K. Das
Michael Erickson

2001
Holt, Rinehalt and Winston
New York, Chicago, San Francisco

90
 Cataloguing Documents
Other Information Using AACR-2R

Call No. : 156HOR

Acc. No. : 7793

Pages : xx, 445

Year of Publication : 2001

Size : 30 cm.

ISBN : NM

Following the above rules entries for this book are being prepared as follows:

Main Entry

156
HOR Comparative Psychology/David K.
Horton ... [et al.]. -- Nw York: Holt,
Rinehart and Winston, 2001.
7793 xx, 445 p.; 30 cm.
1. Psychology. I. Hrton, David K.

Added Entry (Subject)

156 PSYCHOLOGY
HOR Comparative Psychology/David K.
(Rest in the main entry)

91
Cataloguing Added Entry (Author)

156 Horton, David K.

HOR Comparative Psychology/David K. Horton.
(Rest in the main entry)

4.7 EDITED BOOKS

For edited books the main entry is made under its title. Added entries are prepared
under the principal editor or the first named editor. Rendering should be in hanging
indention.
Single Editor
For the books having single editor the entries are made as shown in the following
example.
Example-5

Handbook of Public
Administration

Edited by

B. Guy Peters

London

Sage Publications

2003

92
 Cataloguing Documents
Other Information Using AACR-2R

Call No. : 351.22 HAN

Acc. No. : 64321

Year of Publication : 2003

Page : xiv, 640 p

Size : 26 cm

ISBN : 0761972242

Main Entry

351.22
HAN Handbook of Public Administration/edited
by B. Guy Peters.--London: Sage, 2003
64321 xiv, 640 p; 26 cm.

1. Public Administration. I. Peters, B.

Guys.

Added Entry (Subject)

351.22 PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

HAN Handbook of Public Administration/edited
(Rest as in the main entry)

93
Cataloguing Added Entry (Editor)

351.22 Peters, B. Guys, ed.

HAN Handbook of Public Administration
(Rest as in the main entry)

More than one editor

For edited books by more than one editor also, main entry is prepared by the title
of the book. Added entries are also prepared for the subject and other editors.
Self Check Exercise
Note: i) Write your answers in the space given below.
ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit.
5) Write the rules for main entry and added entries for books written by more than
three authors?
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
6) How is main entry made for books edited by more than one editor?
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
7) Identify the entry element for the following:
a) Maurice Gaudefroy-Demombynes.
b) Mohammad Fazal
c) Krishan Kumar
d) Ronald L Applebaum
e) Paul R. Lawrence
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
94
 ........................................................................................................................ Cataloguing Documents
Using AACR-2R
........................................................................................................................
8) How will you render the following items?
a) Fifth edition
b) Sixth revised edition
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................

4.8 CORPORATE AUTHORS

Also called corporate bodies, the corporate authors are the agencies publishing book
under their names. Such agencies include government, government officials and
agencies, committees and commissions, different institutions, proceedings of seminars,
etc. All the basic rules as discussed earlier are also applicable to corporate authors.
But we need to select the correct heading following rules as prescribed in Sears’
List of Subject Headings. Some examples are given below:

Example-6 (Government) (Example taken from BLIS-4P (1))

Seventh Five Year Plan

1985 – 1990
Mid – term Appraisal

Government of India
Planning Commission
Delhi

Manager, Government of India Press

1986

Other Information

Call no. : 338.9 IND

Acc no. : 7077

Size : 28cm

Page : xi, 257

95
Cataloguing Main Entry

338.9
IND India. Planning Commission.
Seventh Five Year Plan 1985 – 1990:
mid - term appraisal. Delhi: Manager,
Government of India Press, 1986
7077 xi, 257p.; 28cm
1. India – Economic Policy I. Title

Added Entry (Subject)

338.9 INDIA – ECONOMIC POLICY

IND India. Planning Commission.
Seventh Five Year Plan
(Rest as in the main entry)

Added Entry (Title)

338.9 Seventh Five Year Plan, 1985-1990

IND mid-term appraisal
India. Planning Commission
Seventh Five Year Plan
(Rest as in the main entry)

96 Note: The continuation of the title is from third (imaginary) indention.

In this example, Planning Commission of Government of India is the responsible Cataloguing Documents
Using AACR-2R
organisation for publishing the document. So it is entered subordinately after the
country name of the country India.

In case of corporate bodies having hierarchies of organisations, entry is made as per

the hierarchies.

India

Ministry of Planning

Central Statistical Organisation

Committees and Commissions

Documents published by committees and commissions of a government are entered

directly under the name of the committee or commission or subordinate bodies of the
government. Added entries are made for title, subject, and chairman (if any).

Example-7

Report of the Assessment

Committee on Adult Education

Ministry of Education, Government of

India
New Delhi, Manager of Publications
1993

Other Information

Call No. : 374.7 N93

Acc No. : 1113

Pages : v, 705p

Size : 28cm

97
Cataloguing Main Entry

374.7
N93 India. Assessment Committee on Adult
Education
Report.-Government of India.-New
Delhi: Manager of Publications, 1993.
1113 v, 705p.; 28cm.
1. Education, Elementary I. Title

Added Entry (Subject)

374.7 EDUCATION, ELEMENTARY

N93 India. Assessment Committee on Adult
Education
(Rest as in the main entry)

Added Entry (Title)

374.7 Report of the Assessment Committee on

Adult Education
N93 India. Assessment Committee on Adult
Education
(Rest as in the main entry)

Note: The continuation of the title is from third (imaginary) indention.

98
Institutions Cataloguing Documents
Using AACR-2R
Institutions include organisations, associations, societies, etc. at international, national,
regional or local levels. The documents published by them are directly entered under
their names as shown below:
Example-8

Institute for Telecommunication Sciences

A User’s Manual for Optical

Waveguide Communications

Info Gatekeepers
Boston

Other Information
Call no. : 537.534/INS
Acc no. : 4087
Pages : 287
Size : 23cm.
Note : It is published under the series: Users Manual and Handbook
Series, Vol.1.
Main Entry

537.534
INS Institute for Telecommunication Sciences.
A user's manual for optical waveguide
communications. - Boston: Info-Gatekeeper,
1978.
4087 287p.;23 cm.-(User manual and
handbook series; v.1)
1. Electromagnetic waves. I. Title.
II. Series.
99
Cataloguing Added Entry (Subject)

537.534 ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES

INS Institute for Telecommunication Sciences.
A user's manual for optical waveguide
communications.
(Rest as in the main entry)

Added Entry (Title)

537.534 A user’s manual for optical wave guide

communications
INS Institute for Telecommunication Sciences.
A user's manual for optical waveguide
communications.
(Rest as in the main entry)

Added Entry (Series)

537.534 User manual and handbook series; v.1.

INS Institute for Telecommunication Sciences.
A user's manual for optical waveguide
communications.
(Rest as in the main entry)

100
Self Check Exercise Cataloguing Documents
Using AACR-2R
Note: i) Write your answers in the space given below.
ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit.
9) What is a corporate author?
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
10) Write the entry element for a book published by a government.
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................

4.9 PROCEEDINGS OF CONFERENCES,

SEMINARS, WORKSHOPS, SYMPOSIA, ETC.
In cataloguing such proceedings, the entry is made under the name of the event and
the number, year, place, etc. are given within parenthesis. Let us observe the following
example.
Example-9

Proceedings of the Symposium

On
Subject Bibliographies

Held at Imphal, India

3 – 4 January, 2009

Centre for Bibliographic Studies

Imphal
March, 2009

101
Cataloguing
Other Information
Call no. : 016 SYM
Acc no. : 7120
Page : v, 126
Size : 24cm

Main Entry

016
SYM Symposium on Subject Bibliographies (2009
Imphal)
Proceedings of the Symposium on subject
bibliographies, held at Imphal, 3–4 Jan. 2009/
Centre for Bibliographic Studies. — Imphal :
7120 Centre for Bibliographic Studies, 2009.

v. 126p.;
1. Bibliography, subject. I. Centre for
Bibliographic Studies. II. Title

Added Entry (Subject)

016 BIBLIOGRAPHY - SUBJECT

SYM Symposium on Subject Bibliographies
(2009 Imphal)
(Rest as in the main entry)

102
 Added Entry (Institution) Cataloguing Documents
Using AACR-2R

016 Centre for Bibliographic Studies

SYM Symposium on Subject Bibliographies
(2009 Imphal)
(Rest as in the main entry)

4.10 CATALOGUING SERIALS

Serials are publications brought out in successive parts bearing a corresponding
number. They are intended to be continued. Sometimes they are also called as
periodicals, journals, magazines, etc. The bibliographical description for a serial
publication normally includes:
- Title and statement of responsibility area
- Edition area
- Numeric and alphabetic or chronological or other designation area
- Publication/ Distribution area
- Physical description area
- Series area
- Note area
- Standard number and
- Terms of availability area
Examine the following example:
Example-10

Environmental and Waste

Management World
Environmental
Vol 10 No.1and
1950Waste
Management
Editor Suzanne World
Bustad
Specialty
Vol 10Technical
No.Publishers
1 1950 Inc
Vancouver, B.C. V6J 2G2, Canada
Editor Suzane Bustad
Specialty Technical Publishers Inc
Vancouver, B.C. V6J 2G2, Canada

103
Cataloguing
Other Information

Class no. : 604.7

First issue published in : 1941

Frequency : 10 in a year

ISSN : 0835-3778

Library lacks volumes : 1-10

Main Entry

604.7 Environmental and Waste Management

World.
Vol. 1, no. 1(1941) --. -- Vancouver:
Speciality Technical Publishers Inc, 1941 --
26cm.
Six issues a year
Library has v.11(1951) --

Continued on next card

Main Entry (Continued)

Continued 1.
604.7 Environmental and Waste Management
World.
ISSN 0835-3778

1. Environment-Periodicals. I. Speciality
Technical Publishers Inc.

Subsequent added entries can be prepared accordingly.

104
Self Check Exercise Cataloguing Documents
Using AACR-2R
Note: i) Write your answers in the space given below.

ii) Check your answers with the answers given at the end of this Unit.

11) What are the basic rules for cataloguing of proceedings?

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

12) Write the entry element for cataloguing a serial.

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

........................................................................................................................

4.11 CATALOGUING NON-BOOK MATERIAL

There are different types of non-book materials. They are found in various forms
such as cartographic materials, motion pictures, sound recording, graphic and other
computer files. AACR-2R provides specific rules for cataloguing such materials.
Here some examples are given for cartographic materials, sound recordings, and
motion postures. They are found in many libraries.
The bibliographic description for cataloguing cartographic materials is shown in the
skeleton card below:

Card no. 11
Call no.
Creator of the item
Title [GMD]= Parallel title : Other title
information/1st statement of responsibility;
each subsequent statement of responsibility.-
- Edition statement/1st statement of
responsibility.- Statement of scales;
Statement of projection. -- 1st place of
publication, distribution etc : 1st

Continued on next card

105
Cataloguing Card no. 12

Call no. Continued 1.

Creator of the item
publisher, distributor etc. date of publication
etc.
Extent of item: other physical details,
dimensions+accompanying materials.--
(series)
Notes
Standard number and terms of
availability
Tracing

Skeleton Cards Showing Description for Non-book Material

Example-11 (Cartographic material)

School Atlas
Global Publication

Imphal
2008

Other Information
Call No. : 912 IND
Page : iii,85
Size : 28cm
Contents : 57 colour maps
Acc.No. : 3345
Edition : 1st
Scales : Varied
106
 Main Entry Cataloguing Documents
Using AACR-2R

912
IND School atlas [map]. — 1st ed. — Scales
vary. — Imphal: Global publication, 2008
1 atlas (iii, 85 p.): 57 col.maps;
28cm.
3345 Audience: School children
1. World-Atlas. I. Title

Added Entry (Subject)

912 WORLD ATLAS

IND School atlas .....

(Rest as in the main entry)

Added Entry (Title)

912 School atlas

IND School atlas .....

(Rest as in the main entry)

107
Cataloguing Example-12 (Sound Recording)

Mozart

Masterpiece Classical
Midas
Delhi
1987

Other Information
Call No. : 782.1073 MOZ
Acc.No. : 2357
Contents : Four movements by different singers.
It is a 60 minute audio cassette with 2 tracks.

Main Entry

782.1073
MOZ Mozart
Masterpiece classical [sound
recording]/Mozart.–Delhi:Midas 1987.
1 Cassette (60min.):analogue, 2 track
Contents: Four movements
1. Musicals. I.Title

The corresponding added entries can thus be prepared accordingly for

a) MUSICALS
b) Masterpiece classical.
108
Example-13 (Motion picture) Cataloguing Documents
Using AACR-2R

The Perfect
[Motion Picture]
Chopra Production
Pankaj Film Distributors, 1993
Credits:
Producer-Rajkumar Chopra
Director-Ramesh Sehgal
Music-Abid Noshad
Film Editor-Johan Bloomberg

Other Information
Call No. : 694.092 N93
Acc.No. : 5687
B&W 75mm film of 80 minutes.
It is based on the Novel The Perfect by Johan Heed.

Main Entry

M
N93 Chopra Production
The Perfect [Motion picture]/ Chopra
Production: Pankaj Film Distributors, 1993.
1. Film reel (80min.) b&w; 75mm.
Credits: Producer–Rajkumar
Chopra; Director – Ramesh Sehgal;
Music – Abid Noshad; Editor–Johan

Continued on next card

109
Cataloguing Main Entry Continued

M Continued 1.
N93 Chopra Production
Based on the novel The Perfect by
Johan Heed
1. Carpentry I. Title

Here b&w is being used to mean the film of black and white as prescribed by
AACR-2R. Other added entries for the subject and the title can be prepared
accordingly.

4.12 SACRED BOOKS AND SCRIPTURES

Generally the works under sacred scriptures will be entered under title i.e. known
as uniform title. The language of the text shall be added at the end of uniform title.
Example-14

The Holy Bible

Containing old and new
testaments
Translated from original
tongue by Thomas Green
Nelson & Sons
London
1960

110
 Cataloguing Documents
Other Information Using AACR-2R
Call No. : Q6:2 Ko
Page : 1296
Size : 24cm
Acc.No. : 17297
Main Entry

Q6:2
Ko Bible, English.
Holy Bible: containing old and new
testaments; translated from the original
tongues byThomas Green.– London: Nelosn,
1960
1296p.; 24cm.
I. Green, Thomas.

Added Entry (Collaborator)

Q6:2 Green, Thomas.

Ko Bible, English.
(Rest in the main entry)

Example-15

Shrimad Bhagavad Gita

Translated from Sanskrit by Juan
Mascaro
Penguin Books
Hermondsworth
1962

111
Cataloguing
Other Information
Call No. :R66,6 K2
Page :122
Size :22cm
Acc.No. :24739

Main Entry

R66,6
K2 Mahabharat, Bhagavadgita, English.
Srimad Bhagavadgita; translated from
Sanskrit by Juan Mascaro.—
Hardmondworth: Penguin, 1962.
24739 122p.;22cm.
I. Mascaro, Jaun

Note: For Shrimad Bhagavadgita the uniform title Mahabharata is used.

Shrimad Bhagavadgita is a part of Mahabharata. Therefore the uniform title
Bhagavadgita is preceded by Mahabharata.

Added Entry (Collaborator)

R66,6 Mascaro, Jaun

K2 Mahabharat, Bhagavadgita, English.
(Rest as in the main entry)

112
 Reference entry (title to uniform title) Cataloguing Documents
Using AACR-2R

Bhagavad gita
See
Mahabharat. Bhagavadgita
English.

Example 16

Anvarul Quran
Qadsam’ i-allah translated with Tamil
commentary by
E.M Abdul Rahaman.
Kootanallur
Adam trust
1960

Other Information

Call No. : Q7 K0

Page : 205

Size : 24 cm

Acc.No. : 57695

113
Cataloguing Main Entry

Q7:2
K0 Koran. English.
Anvarul Quran: Qadasami’i-allah;
translated with Tamil commentary by E.M.
Abdul Rahaman.—Kootanallur: Adam trust,
1960.
205p;24 cm.
I. Abdul Rahaman, E.M. II. Title.

Added Entry (Collaborator)

Q7:2 Abdul Rahaman, E.M.

K0 Koran. English.
(Rest as in the main entry).

Added Entry (Title)

Q7:2 Anavarul Quran

K0 Koran. English.
(Rest as in the main entry).

114
 Reference Entry Cataloguing Documents
Using AACR-2R

Quran
See
Koran

4.13 SUMMARY
Documents are of many types. They are procured by the libraries for the users being
served. In order to make them known to the users cataloguing of the procured
documents is a need. The concerned library has to adopt a cataloguing code for the
purpose. Of the different cataloguing codes the AACR-2R is found to be used in
many libraries of different levels. It provides specific rules for making entries of
different types of materials. While cataloguing documents using AACR-2R one requires
to know such rules. In this unit you have been introduced how documents of various
nature are catalogued using the code.

4.14 SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES

i) Survey the libraries located near your area and find how many of them follow
AACR-2 as a catalogue code.
ii) Visit a library which has adopted AACR-2 and find out which level of description
they use for cataloguing documents.
iii) Collect bibliographical details of different types of books and make main entry
and added entries for them.

4.15 ANSWERS TO SELF CHECK EXERCISES

1) AACR-2R is a cataloguing code adopted by many libraries for cataloguing
different types of documents.
2) There are two parts in AACR-2R comprising 19 chapters; 13 chapters in
Part-I and 6 chapters in Part-II.
3) Important entry elements used in cataloguing documents are: Heading, areas
and descriptive elements, call number, accession number, punctuation marks
and tracing.
4) The eight areas to be described in cataloguing documents as per AACR-2R are:
a) Title and statement of responsibility
115
Cataloguing b) Edition
c) Material (or type of publication) specific details
d) Publication, distribution, etc.
e) Physical description
f) Series
g) Note
h) Standard number and terms of availability.
5) For the books written by more than three authors and none is shown as
principal author, the main entry is made under the title. The first named author
alone is provided for the added entry.
6) For the edited books by more than one editor, main entry is made under the
title of the book.
7) a) Gaudefroy-Demombynes, Maurice
b) Mohammad Fazal
c) Krishan Kumar
d) Applebaum, Ronald L.
e) Lawrence, Paul R.
8) a) 5th ed. b) 6th rev.ed.
9) A corporate author is an organisation or agency publishing books under its
name.
10) The entry element for a book published by a government is the geographical
name of the country.
11) In cataloguing proceedings entry is made under the name of the conference. The
number, year, place, etc. of the conference are given within parenthesis.
12) The entry elements for cataloguing serials are:
- Title and statement of responsibility area
- Edition area
- Numeric and alphabetic or chronological or other designation
- Publication/ distribution area
- Physical description area
- Series area
- Note area
- Standard number and
- Terms of availability area.

116
 Cataloguing Documents
4.16 KEYWORDS Using AACR-2R

Collaborator : A person or corporate body working with others

to produce a book.
Element : A distinct unit of bibliographical information for
example author’s name.
GMD : Usually non-book materials which are not in
the form of books.
ISBN : International Standard Book Number.
ISSN : International Standard Serial Number.
Realia : An artifact or a naturally occurring entity.
Sears’ List of Subject : A tool to derive subject headings for added
Headings entries.
Tracing : Record showing the added entries to be
prepared.

4.17 REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING

Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules. 2nd Rev.ed. Chicago: American Library
Association, 1988. Print.
Carmen, Rovira, and Caroline Reyes. Sears List of Subject Headings.13th ed.
New York: H.W.Wilson, 1986. Print.
IGNOU. Library Cataloguing Practice. BLIS-04P, Blocks 1–2, New Delhi:
IGNOU, 2008. Print.
Girja Kumar, and Krishan Kumar. Theory of Cataloguing .5th Rev.ed. New Delhi:
Vikas Publishing House, 1993. Print.
Sehgal, R.L. Cataloguing Practice: An Introduction to AACR-II. New Delhi: Ess
Ess Publications, 1996. Print.
Viswanathan, C.G. Cataloguing Theory and Practice.5th ed. Lucknow: Print House,
1983. Print.

117