faceted classification system in libraries

FACETED CLASSIFICATION

Lu Bai Andrew Jeffcoat Laura Loveday

Cyndy Moore

What is a Facet?

Chan (1994) defines the term facet as, “A component (based on a particular characteristic) of a

complex subject” (p. 484).

Complex Subject:

wine Grape Region

Year Price

4 characteristics / 4 facets

These characteristics/facets/categories

are:

“MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE”have their own meaning

and“JOINTLY EXHAUSTIVE”

as many facets created as necessary to fully describe the subject

(Denton, 2009)

Faceted classification works well when an entity possesses three or more characteristics or dimensions that require or would benefit from classification.

Complex Subject: Dishwashing DetergentBrand

CascadeSunlight

DawnGain Form

PowderLiquid

GelPacs

Agent Dishwasher

By Hand ScentLemon

Ocean BreezeGreen Apple

When classifying an entity using a faceted approach, Kwasnick puts forth the following guidelines:

•Choose facets. Decide, in advance, on important criteria for description. These form the facets or fundamental categories.

•Develop facets. Each facet can be developed/expanded using its own logic and warrant and its own classificatory structure.

•Analyze entities using the facets.

•Develop citation order. In organizing the classified objects, choose a primary facet that will determine the main attribute and a citation order for the other facets (p.40).

Next-Generation Library Catalogs /

Discovery Tools

wine

“Research has not yet been determined if technology changes are driving us to drink wine, or we drink wine to help us create and implement new technologies.”

Faceted Classification Systems

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

Flexibility of Classification Post-Coordination Support for Rapidly Changing Fields Minimal Theory Requirement Clarification of Terms

Disadvantages

Difficulty in Expanding Facets Lack of Relationship Amongst Facets Resistance to Visual Analysis

Clarification of Terms

Faceted classification systems can help to eliminate confusion regarding the most appropriate search terms.

Flexibility of Classification

Faceted classification systems offer excellent flexibility. Developers need not possess as complete a picture as with more traditional hierarchical systems. Facets can be added over time as need dictates.

Post-Coordination

• Faceted schemes describes objects of all sorts using independent attributes. Making use of these attributes allows for items to be mixed and matched at the time of retrieval.

Minimal Theory Requirement

Faceted schemes require little theory and can be constructed ad hoc.

Support for Rapidly Changing Fields

Fields that experience rapid change can be easily accommodated by changing facets.

Difficulty in Expanding Facets

Choosing appropriate facets later may be complicated.

Lack of Relationship Among Facets

Facets may be come isolated, their own “hermit kingdom.”

Resistance to Visual Analysis

Faceted classification systems might not easily allow for visual representations.

Ranganathan's Colon Classification

Origin of Colon Classification

• Shiyali Ramamrita Ranganathan (1892- 1972).• A Hindu mathematician ;• Worked as a librarian;• Started from the limits of traditional enumerative classification systems;• 1930s.

– Five Laws of Library Science (1931) ;– Colon Classification (1933) ;– Classified Catalogue Code (1934) ;– Prolegomena to Library Classification (1937); – Theory of the Library Catalogue (1938).

Introduction of Colon Classification

• 6 edition;– 1933, 1939, 1950, 1952, 1957, 1960.

• Using the colon as the character;• 108 main classes and 10 generalized classes.– 1933;– Arabic numerals, Roman and Greek letters;– 5 fundamental facets.

5 Facets of Colon Classification

• , (comma) = Personality: Who• ; (semi-colon) = Matter: What• : (colon) = Energy: How• . (period) = Space: Where• ‘(apostrophe) = Time: When

Notes:– “ . ” = Space and Time before 1960;– Omitting “ , ” is allowed;– Further expansion of the short tables is allowed.

Example

• A book is about “ Circulation of periodicals in University Libraries in India up to the 1970s”– “Libraries”;– “University Libraries”;– “periodicals”;– “Circulation”;– “India”;– “Up to the 1970s”.

“ Circulation of periodicals in University Libraries in India up to the 1970s”

• http://www.iskoi.org/doc/colon.htm• Basic Class: – LIBRARY SCIENCE

• Basic Class Number:– “2”

“ Circulation of periodicals in University Libraries in India up to the 1970s”

• , (comma) = Personality: Who– “University Libraries”• “34”

– “234” (Omitting “ , ” is allowed)

“ Circulation of periodicals in University Libraries in India up to the 1970s”

• ; (semi-colon) = Matter: What– “Periodicals”• “46”

– “234; 46”

“ Circulation of periodicals in University Libraries in India up to the 1970s”

• : (colon) = Energy: How– “Circulation”• “6”

– “234; 46: 6”

“ Circulation of periodicals in University Libraries in India up to the 1970s”

• . (period) = Space: Where– “India”• “44”

– “234; 46: 6. 44”

“ Circulation of periodicals in University Libraries in India up to the 1970s”

• ‘(apostrophe) = Time: When– “up to the 1970s”• “N7”

– “234; 46: 6. 44’ N7”

• Is not widely used in libraries;– Academic libraries > public libraries;– Too complex for the patrons.

• Kashyap, M. M. (2001). – “Classified catalogue code of ranganathan: a

proposal to make it compatible for developing computer-based library information systems.”

Faceted Application of Subject Terminology

• Maintains compatibility with LCSH • Suitable for metadata • Ease of input and retrieval• Affordable maintenance

Facet Categories

• Personal names• Corporate names• Geographic names• Events• Titles• Time periods• Topics• Form/Genre

Features

• Subdivisions must belong to the same facet as the subject heading

• First level geographic names are restricted to the Geographic Area Code table, then subdivided

• Personal names are derived from the LC Name Authority file and the name must be a subject in at least one WorldCat record, in the Name Authority File, and for subject use

• Chronological facet is either a single numeric date or a date range

LC Subject Heading:

650 0 Architects $x Certification $z Maryland.

FAST:

650 7 Architects $x Certification. $2 fast

650 7 Maryland $2 fast

LC Subject Heading:

651 0 $a Rome $x History.

FAST:

651 7 $a Rome (Empire) $2 fast

655 7 $a History $2 fast

FAST Database

CONCLUSION