Library Classification-NOTATION. Notationspt

Dr. BRAOU Online Classes For BLISc:
Unit 4:
NOTATION, DEVICES AND MNEMONICS
By
Dr.M.ANJAIAH, Associate Professor. (Retd.)
Dept. of Library and Information Science
Dravidian University-Kuppam, A.P.
&
Library Science Counselor, Dr,BRAOU,
Study Center:
University Arts & Science College, Warangal.
Email: anjaiahlib@gmail.com
Mobile No.: 9908694950
Date: 25th May,2024
5/30/2024 1

• Notation is a system of graphic symbols for
specialized use. సంకేతముగా గుర్తులు
వేసుకోవడము
• The use of symbols or signs in the place of terms
or phrases for special purpose is very much
familiar to us.
• The symbols are preferred for the sake of
convenience, economy and clarity or avoiding
confusion.
• The convenience and helpfulness of symbols is
evident from the use of house members for the
easy location of houses. Short hand symbols for
speedy writing.
5/30/2024 3

vehicles numbers, gas and electricity
consumers, chemical symbols, punctuation
marks in language, musical notation,
mathematical symbols etc. are well known to
us.
• Similarly, library classification is also one of the
disciplines which users notation on large scale.
• సంకేతాలు లేదా చిహ్నా ల ప్రత్యే క వే వసథ
దాా రా గుర్ుంచడం లేదా అమర్చ డం
ప్రప్ియ లేదా రద్ధతి . ప్ాతపూర్ా కంగా
గుర్ుంచడం, గుర్ుంచడం లేదా సెట్
చేయడం. ఒక గమనిక, జోటంగ్ లేదా ర్కార్తు;
లే ర్
5/30/2024 4

NOTATION – DEFINITIONS
• S.R. Ranganathan: Notation is a system of
ordinal numbers used to represent the classes in
a scheme of Classification.
• Berwick Sayers defined, the Notation as a series
of symbols or shorthand signs, standing for the
names of terms forming a convenient means of
reference to the arrangement in a Classification.
• Bliss defines, Notation as a system of marks or
symbols in some order denoting terms of
members of a series or systems of things.
5/30/2024 5

NOTATION- ITS NEED AND PURPOSE
Ranganathan gives the following reasons
for choosing the notational system in the
place of subjects.
• Unhelpfulness of Alphabetical Sequence : The
Alphabetical arrangement of subjects
according to their names is ruled out as such a
sequence is not helpful.
Example: Agriculture- Biology-Zoology-Medicine
• In the example given above we can see that
the related subjects are scattered.
5/30/2024 6

2. Effect of change in the name of a subject:
• Alphabetical arrangement of subjects is ruled
out on another ground that the names of the
subjects change from time to time.
• Examples, “Political Economy” has changed to
“Economics” and Natural Philosophy has
changed to Physics.
• In the first example, the subject moves from P
to E and in the second example from N to P.
5/30/2024 7

Effect of synonyms of Alphabetical Sequence:
Alphabetical arrangement of subjects is
ruled out on yet another ground that the
same subject is known by more than one
name.
Example:
• “Acoustics” and ‘Sound’ mean one and the
same subject.
• The first one goes to the ‘A’ group and the
second one to ‘S’ group through they are one
and the same.
5/30/2024 8

Effect of Homonyms of Alphabetical Sequence:
Alphabetical arrangement is ruled out for
another reason that the subject denoted by a
term can mean more than one thing.
Example:
‘Cotton’ may either mean Cotton Plant or the
Cotton Fibre, or the Woven cotton cloth.
5/30/2024 9

THE PURPOSE OF A NOTATION
1. To give to a schedule of classification a symbol
for each of its terms which shall be constant; so
that whenever a term is to be represented, it
shall be marked by: one class mark only.
• The class mark thus fixes the place of the term in
the hierarchy of the schedule.
2. To be a short sign to be written on the back of
the books as well as in catalogue entries, so that
the books on a subject are held together by their
subject number.
5/30/2024 10

3.To show the sequence and sub-ordination of
subjects.
• A successful notation is one whereby at a
glance the order of the scheme can be seen
and from an individual number the
importance of a subject in relation to its main
class can be inferred.
4. To achieve the qualifying of subjects by the
combination of symbols
(a) to show related subjects (b) to analyze books
of several subjects (c) to record aspects etc.
5/30/2024 11

Qualities of Notation
1.Brevity: Brevity is a desirable quality of a class
number as it is to be written on the spine of
book. Moreover, it is easy to carry in our mind.
2.Simplicity: The brevity of notation has
something to do with simplicity.
• Simplicity depends upon the kind of symbol
used. However the notation to be adopted for
classification should be brief and simple.
5/30/2024 12

3. Speed of Writing: Speed of writing is important,
since the class number of each book must be
entered in several place in the book namely: on
the spine, the data label, back of title page, inside
the book and the book card, and in the main and
numerous entries in catalogues.
4. Pronunciability: One quality of the notation is
that it is easily pronounced. But, this is not
essential as a class number is not going to be
read out more often then being written down,
seen and temporarily in memory.
5/30/2024 13

5. Easy to remember: If the notation is brief and
simple, it is then easy to remember.
6. Flexibility: This means a notation adopted in a
scheme of classification should be flexible to
allow any new subject in to any place without
dislocating sequence of the alreadyexisting
classes.
7. Mnemonics: By mnemonics, notation we mean
that whenever a subject appears, it has always
the same notation throughout the classification.
• In DDC- Standard Sub-Division secures this.
• In CC, Common Isolates, Space, Schedule S.D.
5/30/2024 14

• Notation should be unique and Each class
number should represent only One subject.
Examples:
In CC In DDC
J= Agriculture 630
Q= Religion 200
Q6= Christianity 220-289
T=Education 370
5/30/2024 15

KINDS OF NOTATION
1.Pure Notation (In Telugu-Shudda Chihnnalu): Pure
notation has one and only one species of digits,
Example: In DDC. It uses only Indo-Arabic numerals with dot
which is intended only to ease the eyes and for
pronunciation. 0,1-9. Example: Education= 370
2.Mixed Notation (In Telugu-Misrama Sanketha Chihanalu):
CC uses mixed notation. i.e., it uses more than one
species of digits.
Example:
(1) Indo-Arabic Numerals: 1,2,,4,5…
(2) Roman Capital letters; A,B,C,D,E 3.
3. Roman Small Notations: a,b,c,d,--z
5/30/2024 16

Best Examples:
1. For Pure Notation: Best Example is DDC.
• Education in India= 370.54. Here, you can find
that .. (.) dot is a kind of symbol used for
Notation and 370.54 is Pure Notation, it means,
only Indo-Arabic Numbers are used.
2. Mixed Notation: Best Example is CC.
• Education in India and America in 2024.
Ans: T.44.7`P24. Here, T is Education, 44 is India, 7
(Geography is America and (`) Afastrafe is a
Symbol and P=2000 and 24= 2024 (Time Isolate)
5/30/2024 17

DEVICES
(In Telugu-Tantralu)
• A device is a tool or apparatus by means of
which new things are formed or sharpened
according to the purpose and needs.
• Ranganathan observes that “When new
subjects come in to existence and call for the
formation of new isolates or the sharpening of
existing once and the foregoing of number co-
extensive with them, the devices will enable the
Classifier to meet the situation without waiting
for guidance from the classificationist.
5/30/2024 18

TYPES OF DEVICES
• Alphabetical Device (AD); It is one of the
important devices in sharpening a focus and
forming foci.
Ex: O157,3M61,G. Gora (A Novel by Rabindranath
Tagore)
• Chronological Device (CD): The purpose of this
device is to sharpen a facet number by
employing chronological number from the
schedule of Time isolates. Ex:O111,2M64
(M64 is taken from Time Isolate which stands
for 1864). M=1800+64=M64
5/30/2024 19

• Classic Device (CD): Classics are not peculiar to
the main classes ‘Religion’ and “Literature’.
• This device is used particularly for bringing
together the different editions of a classic in a
class, the different editions of each of its
commentaries and sub commentaries etc.
Examples:
1. LB:4:7x2,I : Susruta Samhita;
2. LB:4:7x2,1,1 : Chakra Panidatta : Bhanumati.
5/30/2024 20

Geographical Device (GD): This device involves
the use of appropriate geographical
characteristic for the formation or the
subdivision of an isolate.
Ex:
• R86 –African-Philosophy;
• R873 – American-Philosophy
5/30/2024 21

MNEMONICS
• Use of Mnemonics in classification scheme enhances
its value, facilitates in reducing the size of the
schedules and achieving consistent sequence of
classes and ensures helpful sequence of the classes.
• Meaning: The word “Mnemonics” is taken from
Greek word, its meaning To Remember.
• In our Daily Life also using mnemonics, like—
To remember Apples, we may remember the
letter…A, For Meat—M, like..Oil=O, put together,
simply, we can be remember..like the first letter of
every item= AMO..these are called as Mnemonics.
5/30/2024 22

Kinds of Mnemonics
Dr.SR Ranghanathan proposed 4 Types of
Mnemonics :
1. Alphabetical Mnemonics
2. Scheduled Mnemonics
3. Systematic Mnemonics
4. Seminal Mnemonics
5/30/2024 23

1. Alphabetical Mnemonics
• Alphabetical Mnemonics is also known as ‘Literal
Mnemonics’. Again, we can take the previous examples--
• To remember Apples, we may remember the letter…A,
For Meat—M, like..Oil=O, put together, simply, we can
be remember..like the first letter of every item=
AMO..these are called as Mnemonics.
Another Examples:
• Atlas Bicycle A-
• Hero Bicycle H,
• Hindu= HI,
• Philips =P
5/30/2024 24

2. Scheduled Mnemonics
“A scheme of classification should use and one of the
same digit or digit group, as the case may be, to
represent an isolate idea or an array isolate idea, in
whatever subject it may occur”.
Example:
• In CC: Title: History of Library Science: Ans: 2v.
Here, Basic Class is Library Science= 2
v= History= Mnemonics
• In DDC: Title: History of Library Science: Ans:
Library Science=020 (Basic Subject)
History=T1-09 =Mnemonics Ans: 020.9
0
5/30/2024 25

3.Systematic Mnemonics
• The Canon of Systematic Mnemonics states that “In a
scheme for classification, the digits used to
represents the array isolate ideas in an array should
run parallel to the sequence in which the principles
of Helpful sequence would arrange the array isolate
ideas”.
1. Later in timer 2. Later-in-evolution 3. Spatial
contiguity. 4. Quantitative measure 5. Increasing
complexity 6. Canonical sequence 7. Literary warrant
8. Alphabetical sequence
5/30/2024 26

Quantitative Measure : B 23
Foci in P CC
Simple 1
Quadratic 2
Cubic 3
Biquadratic 4
Simultaneous 5
TOWN PLANNING
Foci in P3 CC
Villages 1. Town 2
City 5. Metropolis 7
5/30/2024 27

Seminal Mnemonics
• Canon of Seminal Mnemonics : “A scheme of
classification should use one and the same
digit to denote seminally equivalent concepts
in whatever subject they may occur”.
Example: English Dramma
Here In DDC,
• For English: 420 (Basic Subject)
• For Dramma= (T3A)
• Ans: 422
5/30/2024 28

Advantages of Mnemonics
Berwick Sayers calls mnemonics an “ingenious” technique
which is “of great value to the classifier”.
Mnemonic notation:
• Reduces the bulk of the scheme of classification
• Minimizes the load on the memory of the classifier
• Saves the time of classifiers by reducing the frequency
of reference to the schedules and indexes
• Assists the classificationist by reducing the pressure on
the notational system, and
• Helps the implementation of canon of consistent
sequence.
5/30/2024 29

CONCLUSION
• Mnemonics are generally a linguistic quality.
They are to be casual and should not be forced
into the system. Otherwise they may distort
classification and will cost more than they are
worth.
• The mnemonic quality of notation is of great
quality and importance for all the schemes of
classification.
• The common isolates in CC and the Standard
Subdivisions in DDC bestow the mnemonic
quality to their respective notations.
5/30/2024 30

UNIT-5: CALL NUMBER
Each book in the library has a unique call
number. A call number is like an address: it tells us
where the book is located in the library. Call
numbers appear on the spines of books and
journals and in the library's catalog.
The Call Number consists of Three Parts
Namely,
1. Class Number,
2. Book Number, and;
3. Collection Number.
5/30/2024 31

Meaning of Call Number
• A call number is the combination of letters
and numbers that indicates where an item can
be found in the library.
• Most call numbers are located on the Spine
or front of a book.
Example:
• Call Number: V44:1`N64
• ANJ
5/30/2024 32

2. BOOK NUMBER
• According to Dr. S R Ranganathan The Book Number of a
book is a symbol used to fix its position relatively to the
other books having the same ultimate class.
• It also individualizes it among the books sharing the
same class number.
• So, different books on the same subject will have the
same class number but, different book numbers.
• Many classificationists and library professionals have
attempted to evolve methods of assigning book
numbers; Mention may be made of Dewey, Cutter and
Sanborn, Ranganathan, and others
5/30/2024 33

Some of the Examples-DDC
1. Jawaharlal Nehru: Discovery of india-1939
Book Number: 954
G9
Here, You may be understood that……
For Jawaharlal Nehru: 954
For Year: 1939=1900+39
For 1900 = G and , adding is 39
So, the book number for the Book is: 954
G9
5/30/2024 34

Methods of Assigning Book Numbers
1.Author’s Surname Method: It is the most simple
method of assigning book numbers.
• In this method, we use the first three digits of
the author’s surname as the book number.
• In case the author’s surname is not letters given,
the book number can be constructed from the
forename.
Example:
Author’s Name Book Number
• S.R. Ranganathan RAN
• Prof. Kasyap KAS
5/30/2024 35

EXAMPLES FOR BOOK NUMBER
In DDC:
1. Jawaharlal Nehru: the Discovery of India-1939
Book Number: 954 (Jawaharlal Nehru)
G9 (Year)
IN CC:
Book Number: V44 (Jawaharlal Nehru)
N39 (Year)
5/30/2024 36

In DDC
Example:
Prolegomena to Library Classification:
S.R.Ranganathan.
• This title gets the following Class and Book
Numbers.
• 025.4 Class number as per the DDC
• RAN (Book, Number) First three letters of the
author’s name.
025.4 P
RAN
5/30/2024 37

2. Dewey Decimal Classification-DDC
2. DDC: Based on the name of the author under
which the first three letters of the name are
included.
Example: Ranganathan RAN
• Based on the author's Date of Birth:
Example: J64
• Based on the Year of Publication of The Book
Example: N33 (1933)
5/30/2024 38

CC: Formula of Book Number:
[L][F][Y][A].[V]-[S];[C]:[Cr]
Where
• L = Language of the book
• F = Form in which the book is written e.g. index, list,
picture, graph.
• Y = Year of publication of the book
• A = Accession part of the book number. It is given when
more than one books of the same subject published in
the same year are acquired in the library
• V = Volume the number is given when a multivolume
book is acquired in the library
5/30/2024 39

• S = Supplement number is given when a
supplement is published for a volume.
• C = Copy number particularly useful for school
and college libraries where multiple copies of
text-books are acquired.
• Cr = Criticism number is used when a book
based on some other book is acquired in the
library.
5/30/2024 40

Functions of Book Numbers
Book numbers indvidualise a book so that it
“ may be quickly and accurately placed, called
for, found and charged’’ wrote Melvil Dewey
in 1898.
1. To arrange books in order on the shelves.
2. To provide a brief and accurate call number
for each book.
3. To locate a particular book on the shelf.
4. Provide a symbol for charging books to
borrowers.
5/30/2024 41

Methods of Constructing Book Number:
• 1. Author Marks
• 2. Author Number
• 3. Cutter Book Number
• 4. Cutter Sanborn Author Table
• 5. Merrill Book Number
• 6. Jast and Brown Book Number
• 7. Biscoe Book Number
• 8. Rider Book Number and
• 9. Colon Book Number
5/30/2024 42

Meaning of Collection Number
• S.R.Ranganathan defined the Collection
number is as, “ The mark added to Class
Number-cum-Book Number of a book to
indicate the collection containing it”.
• “The collection number of a book denotes the
collection to which it belongs.
• In simple, Collection Number is:
Class Number + Book Number
Example: 2:55`N31
5/30/2024 43

COLLECTION NUMBER…….
• A live library, big or small, special or academic or public,
is likely to have different types of documents in its
collection. They can be :
• (1) Miniature books, (2) Abnormal size books, (3) Heavy
books, (4) Rare Books, (5) Incunabula, (6) Manuscripts,
(7) Pamphlets, (8) Reports, (9) Syllabi, (10) Off-prints
and preprints, and ; also;
• (11) Maps, (12) Inscriptions, (13) Photographs, (14)
Newspaper cuttings, (15) Theses, (16) Films, (17)
Cassettes, (16) Gramophone Records, (19) Patents, (20)
Periodicals, (21) Government publications, etc.
5/30/2024 44

For Departmental Libraries,
Ranganathan suggests the following convention:
• BD Mathematics Department
• DD Engineering Department
• LD Medical College
• RD Philosophy Department
• YD Sociology Department
• ZD Law Department
Call Number = Collection Number + Class
Number + Book Number
•
5/30/2024 45

Examples for Collection Number
• R Reference
• RR Rare book
• T Thesis
• Tx Text
• G Government publication
• RP Reports
5/30/2024 46

• Such a variety of documents cannot be kept in
one linear sequence as it will be unhelpful and
cumbersome and; also it will create confusion
to the users.
• Facilitating the location of documents on the
library shelves is one of the important
objectives of library administration and also the
library classification.
• Hence, it is necessary to group documents into
different collections according to their size,
nature, form, purpose, etc. in the library in
order to render prompt service to the readers.
5/30/2024 47

Need for Collection Number:
1. Library classification is concerned with the book
classification for securing a systematic arrangement by
subjects. But, in the practical arrangement of books,
problems arise owing to the nature of documents, like
rarity, size, format, weight, etc.,
2. Structure of the library like reading room, reference
section, periodical section, main section, departmental
libraries etc.,
3. Special requirement of users of library like… children,
handicapped, research scholars, etc.
5/30/2024 48

CONCLUSION
• Books and other reading material in library can
be retrieved or called from the shelves or places
where they are stored/filed:with the help of a
number. This number is called the Call Number.
• The Call Number consists of three parts: Class
Number, Book Number and Collection Number.
• The class number is an essential part of call
number, whereas the book number can be
omitted in certain cases.
5/30/2024 49

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