The plan of the following Classification and Index was developed early in
1873. It was the result of several months' study of library economy as
found in some hundreds of books and pamphlets, and in over fifty personal
visits to various American libraries. In this study, the author became
convinced that the usefulness of these libraries might be greatly
increased without additional expenditure. Three years practical use of
the system here explained, leads him to believe that it will accomplish
this result; for with its aid, the catalogues, shelf lists, indexes, and
cross-references essential to this increased usefulness, can be made more
economically than by any other method which he has been able to find.
The system was devised for cataloguing and indexing purposes, but it was
found on trial to be equally valuable for numbering and arranging books
and pamphlets on the shelves.
The library is first divided into nine special libraries which are called
Classes. These Classes are Philosophy, Theology, &c., and are numbered
with the nine digits. Thus Class 9 is the Library of History; Class 7,
the Library of Fine Art; Class 2, the Library of Theology. These special
libraries or Classes are then considered independently, and each one is
separated again into nine special Divisions of the main subject. These
Divisions are numbered from 1 to 9 as were the Classes. Thus 59 is the
9th Division (Zoology) of the 5th Class (Natural Science). A final
division is then made by separating each of these Divisions into nine
Sections which are numbered in the same way, with the nine digits. Thus
513 is the 3d Section (Geometry) of the 1st Division (Mathematics) of the
5th Class (Natural Science). This number, giving Class, Division, and
Section, is called the Classification or Class Number, and is applied to
every book or pamphlet belonging to the library. All the Geometries
are thus numbered 513, all the Mineralogies 549, and so throughout the
library, all the books on any given subject bear the number of that
subject in the scheme. Where a 0 occurs in a class number, it has its
normal zero power. Thus, a book numbered 510, is Class 5, Division 1,
but _no_ Section. This signifies that the book treats of the Division 51
(Mathematics) in general, and is not limited to any one Section, as is
the Geometry, marked 513. If marked 500, it would indicate a treatise on
Science in general, limited to _no_ Division. A zero occurring in the
first place would in the same way show that the book is limited to
_no_ Class. The classification is mainly made by subjects or content
regardless of _form_; but it is found practically useful to make an
additional distinction in these general treatises, according to the form
of treatment adopted. Thus, in Science we have a large number of books
treating of Science in general, and so having a 0 for the Division
number. These books are then divided into Sections, as are those of the
other Classes according to the form they have taken on. We have the
Philosophy and History of Science, Scientific Compends, Dictionaries,
Essays, Periodicals, Societies, Education, and Travels,--all having the
common subject, =NATURAL SCIENCE=, but treating it in these varied forms.
These form distinctions are introduced here because the number of general
works is large, and the numerals allow of this division, without extra
labor for the numbers from 501 to 509 would otherwise be unused. They
apply _only_ to the general treatises, which, without them, would have a
class number ending with two zeros. A Dictionary of Mathematics is 510,
not 503, for every book is assigned to the _most specific head that will
contain it_, so that 503 is limited to Dictionaries or Cyclopedias of
Science _in general_. In the same way a General Cyclopedia or Periodical
treats of no one class, and so is assigned to the Class 0. These books
treating of no special class, but general in their character, are divided
into Cyclopedias, Periodicals, etc. No difficulty is found in following
the arithmetical law and omitting the initial zero, so these numbers are
printed 31, 32, etc., instead of 031, 032, etc.
The selection and arrangement of the thousand headings of the
classification cannot be explained in detail for want of space. In all
the work, philosophical theory and accuracy have been made to yield
to practical usefulness. The impossibility of making a satisfactory
classification of all knowledge as preserved in books, has been
appreciated from the first, and nothing of the kind attempted.
Theoretical harmony and exactness has been repeatedly sacrificed to
the practical requirements of the library or to the convenience of the
department in the college. As in every scheme, many minor subjects have
been put under general heads to which they do not strictly belong. In
some cases these headings have been printed in a distinctive type, e. g.,
429 =Anglo-Saxon=, under =ENGLISH PHILOLOGY=. The rule has been to assign
these subjects to the most nearly allied heads, or where it was thought
they would be most useful. The only alternative was to omit them
altogether. If any such omission occurs, it is unintentional and will be
supplied as soon as discovered. Wherever practicable the heads have been
so arranged that each subject is preceded and followed by the most nearly
allied subjects and thus the greatest convenience is secured both in
the catalogues and on the shelves. Theoretically, the division of every
subject into just nine heads is absurd. Practically, it is desirable that
the classification be as minute as possible without the use of additional
figures, and the decimal principle on which our scheme hinges allows nine
divisions as readily as a less number. This principle has proved
wholly satisfactory in practice though it appears to destroy proper
co-ordination in some places. It has seemed best in our library to use
uniformly three figures in the class number. This enables us to classify
certain subjects very minutely, giving, for example, an entire section to
Chess. But the History of England has only one section, as our scheme
is developed, and thus the two might be said to be co-ordinated. The
apparent difficulty in such cases is entirely obviated by the use of a
fourth figure, giving nine sub-sections to any subject of sufficient
importance to warrant closer classification. In history where the
classification is made wholly by countries, a fourth figure is added to
give a division into _periods_. As the addition of each figure gives a
ten-fold division, any desired degree of minuteness may be secured in the
classing of special subjects. The apparent lack of co-ordination arises
from the fact that only the first three figures of these more important
heads are as yet printed, the fourth figure and the sub-sections being
supplied on the catalogues in manuscript. Should the growth of any of
these sub-sections warrant it, a fifth figure will be added, for the
scheme admits of expansion without limit.
The arrangement of headings has been sometimes modified to secure a
mnemonic aid in numbering and finding books without the Index. For
instance, the scheme is so arranged that China has always the number 1.
In Ancient History, it has the first section, 931: in Modern History,
under Asia, it has 951: in Philology, the Chinese language appears as
491. After the same manner the Indian number is 2; Egyptian, 4; English,
2; German, 3; French, 4; Italian, 5; Spanish, 6; European, 4; Asian, 5;
African, 6; North American, 7; South American, 8; and so for all the
divisions by languages or countries. The Italian 5, for instance, will
be noticed in 35, 55, 450, 755, 850, and 945. This mnemonic principle is
specially prominent in Philology and Literature and their divisions, and
in the _form_ distinctions used in the first 9 sections of each class.
Materials, Methods, or Theory occurring anywhere as a head, bears always
the number 1. Dictionaries and Cyclopedias, 3; Essays, 4; Periodicals, 5;
Associations, Institutions, and Societies, 6; Education, 7; Collections,
9. In the numerous cases where several minor heads have been grouped
together under the head Other, it always bears the number 9. Wherever
practicable, this principle is carried out in sub-dividing the sections.
For instance, the Geology of North America, which bears the number 557 is
sub-divided by adding the _sections_ of 970 (History of North America).
The Geology of Mexico then bears the number 5578: mnemonically, the first
5 is the Science number; the second 5, Geology; the 7, North America; and
the 8, Mexico. Any library attendant or reader after using the scheme a
short time will recognize at a glance, any catalogue or ledger entry,
book or pamphlet, marked 5578 as something on the Geology of Mexico.
Users of the scheme will notice this mnemonic principle in several
hundred places in the classification, and will find it of great practical
utility in numbering and finding books without the aid of Catalogue or
Index, and in determining the character of any book simply from its call
number as recorded on the book, on all its catalogue and cross reference
cards, on the ledger, and in the check box.
In naming the headings, brevity has been secured in many cases at the
sacrifice of exactness. It was thought more important to have short,
familiar titles for the headings than that the names given should express
with fullness and exactness the character of all books catalogued under
them. Many subjects, apparently omitted, will be found in the Index,
assigned, with allied subjects, to a heading which bears the name of the
most important only. Reference to this Subject Index will decide at once
any doubtful points.
In arranging books in the classification, as in filling out the scheme,
practical usefulness has been esteemed the most important thing. The
effort has been to put each book under the subject to the student of
which it would be most useful. The content or the real subject of which
a book treats, and not the form or the accidental wording of the title,
determines its place. Following this rule, a Philosophy of Art is
put with Art, not with Philosophy; a History of Mathematics, with
Mathematics, not with History; for the philosophy and history are simply
the _form_ which these books have taken. The true content or subject is
Art, and Mathematics, and to the student of these subjects they are most
useful. The predominant tendency or obvious purpose of the book, usually
decides its class number at once; still many books treat of two or more
different subjects, and in such cases it is assigned to the place where
it will be most useful, and underneath the class number are written the
numbers of any other subjects on which it also treats. These _Cross
References_ are given both on the plate and the subject card as well
as on the cross reference card. If a book treats of a majority of the
sections of any division, it is given the Division number instead of the
most important Section number with cross references.
Collected works, libraries, etc., are either kept together and assigned
like individual books to the most specific head that will contain them;
or assigned to the most prominent of the various subjects on which they
treat with cross references from the others; or are separated and the
parts classed as independent works. Translations are classed with their
originals.
The Alphabetical Subject Index is designed to guide, both in numbering
and in finding the books. In numbering, the most specific head that will
contain the book having been determined, reference to that head in the
Index will give the class number to which it should be assigned. In
finding books on any given subject, reference to the Index will give the
number under which they are to be sought on the shelves, in the Shelf
Catalogue, or in the Subject Catalogue. The Index gives after each
subject the number of the class to which it is assigned. Most names of
countries, towns, animals, plants, minerals, diseases, &c, have been
omitted, the aim being to furnish an Index of Subjects on which books
are written, and not a Gazetteer or a Dictionary of all the nouns in the
language. Such subjects will be found as special chapters or sections
of books on the subjects given in the Index. The names of individual
subjects of biographies will be found in the Class List of Biography.
Omissions of any of the more general subjects will be supplied when
brought to notice.
In arranging the books on the shelves, the absolute location by shelf and
book number is wholly abandoned, the relative location by class and book
number being one of the most valuable features of the plan. The class
number serves also as the location number and the shelf number in common
use is entirely dispensed with. Accompanying the class number is the
_book_ number, which prevents confusion of different books on the same
subject. Thus the first Geometry catalogued is marked 513-1; the second
513-2, and so on to any extent, the last number showing how many books
the library has on that subject. The books of each section are all
together, and arranged by book numbers, and these sections are also
arranged in simple numerical order throughout the library. The call
number 513-11 signifies not the 11th book on shelf 513; or alcove 5,
range 1, shelf 3, as in most libraries, but signifies the 11th book in
subject 513 or the 11th Geometry belonging to the library. In finding the
book, the printed numbers on the backs are followed, the upper being the
class and the lower the book number. The class is found in its numerical
order among the classes as the shelf is found in the ordinary system: the
book in its numerical order in the class. The shelves are not numbered,
as the increase of different departments, the opening of new rooms, and
any arrangement of classes to bring the books most circulated nearest to
the delivery desk, will bring different class numbers on a given shelf.
New books as received are numbered and put into place, in the same way
that new titles are added to the card catalogue.
The single digit occasionally prefixed to the book number, e.g. the 3 in
421-3-7 is the nearest height in decimeters of books too large to be put
on the regular library shelves, which are only 2-1/2 decimeters apart.
The great mass of the library consists of 2-decimeter books, the size
numbers of which are omitted. Books from 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 decimeters in
height have 3 prefixed to the book number, and are found on the bottom
shelf of each range. The larger sizes are prefixed with 4, 5, &c., and
are found on the special shelves provided, in order to avoid the great
waste of space otherwise occasioned by the relative location. By this use
of the size numbers a close economy of space is secured.
Thus all the books on any given subject are found standing together, and
no additions or changes ever separate them. Not only are all the books on
the subject sought, found together, but the most nearly allied subjects
precede and follow, they in turn being preceded and followed by other
allied subjects as far as practicable. Readers not having access to the
shelves find the short titles arranged in the same order on the Shelf
Catalogue, and the full titles, imprints, cross references, notes, &c.,
on the Subject Catalogue. The uncatalogued pamphlets treating of any
subject bear the same class number and are arranged on the shelves
immediately after the books of each section.
In both the Authors' Catalogue and the Subject Index, brevity has been
studied because of the economy, but more because of the much greater
ease of reference to a short title catalogue. The custom of giving full
titles, etc., under authors, and only references or very brief titles
under subjects, has been reversed. A reader seeking a book of a _known
author_, in the vast majority of cases, wants simply the number by which
to call for it, and can find it much sooner in a brief title catalogue.
In the rare cases where more is needed the class number refers instantly
to all these facts on the cards. On the other hand, a reader
seeking books on a _known subject_, needs the full title, imprint,
cross-references, and notes, to enable him to choose the book best suited
to his wants.
The Subject Catalogue is a full title Shelf List on cards and is for the
use of the public. The Shelf List is a short title Subject Catalogue in
book form, made of separate sheets laced into an Emerson binder, and is
for official use. We thus have without extra labor, both full and short
title Subject Catalogues and Shelf Lists. The public Authors' Catalogue
is a printed volume; the official Authors' Catalogue or Index is on
cards. As a result each of the public Catalogues is checked by an
official Catalogue; each of the card Catalogues by a book Catalogue; each
of the brief title catalogues by a full title catalogue--an advantage
that will be appreciated by all librarians desiring accuracy of
administration and catalogues.
The Arabic numerals can be written and found more quickly, and with
less danger of confusion or mistake, than any other symbols whatever.
Therefore the Roman numerals, capitals and small letters, and similar
symbols usually found in systems of classification are entirely discarded
and by the exclusive use of Arabic numerals in their regular order
throughout the shelves, classifications, indexes, catalogues and records,
there is secured the greatest accuracy, economy, and convenience. This
advantage is specially prominent in comparison with systems where the
name of the author or the title must be written in calling for or
charging books and in making references.
Throughout the catalogues the number of a book shows not only _where_
it is but _what_ it is. On the library accounts the character of each
person's reading is clearly indicated by the numbers charged, and the
minutest statistics of circulation in any subject are made by simply
counting the call slips in the check box, and recording the number
against the class number in the record.
By the use of size numbers the greatest possible economy of space may be
secured, for the size distinction may be made for every inch or even less
if desired, and this without additional labor, as it will be seen that
the size figure, when introduced, requires one less figure in the book
number, and so does not increase the number of digits as would at first
appear.
Parts of sets, and books on the same or allied subjects, are never
separated as they are sure to be, sooner or later, in every library
arranged on the common plan, unless it be frequently re-arranged and
re-catalogued. The great expense of this re-cataloguing makes it
impracticable except for a few very wealthy libraries. In this system
the catalogue and book numbers remain unchanged through all changes of
shelving, buildings, or arrangement. In addition to its own peculiar
merits, this plan has all the advantages of the card catalogue principle
and of the relative location, which have been used and very strongly
approved by prominent libraries.
As in the card catalogue system, there is room for indefinite expansion
without devices or provisions. Space is the only requisite and if the
shelf room is exhausted, the floor space is equally good, except for the
inconvenience of stooping.
Some prominent opponents of classed catalogues have admitted that the
Subject Index, in deciding where to class a book at first, and where to
look for it ever afterwards, has removed their strongest objections.
Certainly it would be impossible to make an Index more cheaply or more
easy of reference, it being a single alphabet, of single words, followed
by single numbers.
These class numbers applied to pamphlets have proved specially
satisfactory. The number is written on the upper left corner and the
pamphlets are arranged either in pamphlet cases with the books on
the same subject or on special shelves divided every decimeter by
perpendicular sections. As each pamphlet is examined when received into
the library, it is the work of a single moment to pencil on it its
class number. There is no expense whatever incurred, and yet the entire
pamphlet resources of the library on any subject can be produced almost
instantly. The immense advantages of this plan over those in common use,
both in economy and usefulness, will be appreciated by every librarian
caring for a pamphlet collection. A catalogue of authors may be made
on slips if desired. The pamphlets themselves are the best Subject
Catalogue.
Though designed wholly for library use, the plan has proved of great
service in preserving newspaper clippings in large envelopes arranged
by class numbers; and more especially in taking the place of the common
note-book and Index Rerum. Slips of uniform size are used with the class
number of the subject written on the corner. Minute alphabetical headings
are used under each class number, the slips being arranged in numerical
order like the Subject Card Catalogue. Clippings and notes arranged in
this way are at all times their own complete index, and have the same
advantages over the common scrap and note-books that the Subject
Catalogue has over the Accessions Book, in looking up the resources of
the library on any given subject. Those who have tried this method are
so enthusiastic in its praise that it seemed worthy of mention in this
place.
The plan was adopted in the Amherst College Library in 1873, and the
work of transferring the entire library to the new catalogue at once
commenced. It was found entirely practicable to make the change
gradually, as means allowed, without interfering in any appreciable
degree with the circulation of the books. The three years trial to which
it has been there subjected has more than justified the claims of its
friends, and it is now printed with the more confidence on this account.
It has been kept in manuscript up to this time, in order that the many
minor details might be subjected to actual trial and modified where
improvement was possible. The labor involved in preparing the
Classification and Index has been wholly beyond the appreciation of any
who have never attempted a similar task. Much valuable aid has been
rendered by specialists in many departments, and nearly every member of
the Faculty has given advice from time to time. Among the many to whom
thanks are due, special mention should be made of Mr. C.A. Cutter, the
librarian of the Boston Athenæum, and Mr. John Fiske, of the Harvard
University library, for valuable suggestions and appreciative criticism.
While these friends are in no way responsible for any remaining
imperfections in the scheme, they should have credit for many
improvements which have been made during these three years of revision.
The essential character of the plan has remained unchanged from the
first. Doubtless other improvements are still possible, and it is hoped
that users of the scheme will call attention to any proposed change in
the naming or arrangement of the headings, or to any omission which
should be supplied in the Subject Index.
Before printing, the plan was submitted to quite a number of librarians
for criticism. Among the hundreds of points raised as to its practical
workings and usefulness there was only one in which it was not shown to
be equal or superior to any other system known. This objection applied
only to the arrangement on the shelves; not at all to the catalogues or
indexes. It was, that in this relative location, a book which this year
stands, e.g., at the end of a certain shelf; may not be on that shelf
at all another year, because of the uneven growth of the parts of the
library. This slight objection inheres in any system where the books
are arranged by _subjects_ rather than by windows, doors, shelves, and
similar non-intellectual distinctions.
In this hurriedly prepared account of his plan, the author has doubtless
failed to meet many objections which may be raised and which he could
easily answer. He would therefore ask the privilege of replying
personally to any such objections, where they arise, believing that it
will be possible to answer, if not all, at least a very large proportion.
In his varied reading, correspondence, and conversation on the subject,
the author doubtless received suggestions and gained ideas which it is
now impossible for him to acknowledge. Perhaps the most fruitful source
of ideas was the _Nuovo Sistema di Catalogo Bibliografico Generale_ of
Natale Battezzati, of Milan. Certainly he is indebted to this system
adopted by the Italian publishers in 1871, though he has copied nothing
from it. The plan of the St. Louis Public School Library, and that of the
Apprentices' Library of New York, which in some respects resemble his
own, were not seen till all the essential features were decided upon,
though not given to the public. In filling the nine classes of the scheme
the inverted Baconian arrangement of the St. Louis Library has been
followed. The author has no desire to claim original invention for any
part of his system where another has been before him, and would most
gladly make specific acknowledgment of every aid and suggestion were
it in his power to do so. With these general explanations and
acknowledgments he submits the scheme, hoping it may prove as useful to
others as it has to himself.