Features Classification Schemes
Classification schemes use artificial language to represent subjects of the information resources
for easy arrangement of the resources. The features of classification schemes are as follows;
Schedules
This refers to a list of all classification main classes division and subdivisions of the subjects and
their associated notations. The schedules show the logical or sequential arrangement of all the
subjects available in the classification schemes. The arrangement follows a hierarchical order
showing the relationship of specific subject to their parent subject. All the classification schemes
have schedules.
Notation
This is a system of symbols which is used in representing a subject of an information resource or
a class for example “The arts fine and decorative arts 700 with its sub-division civic and
landscape 710, Architecture 720 and Plastic arts Sculpture” using the Dewey decimal
classification. These symbols called notation are used in representing the subject. These symbols
may comprise of letters of alphabets and numerals that are numbers. There two types of notation
namely; pure and mixed notation. The pure notation is when only one type of symbol is used in
the classification such as DDC that uses only numerals as can be seen from the above example.
The mixed notation involves the use of both letters and numerals in classification an example is
Library of Congress Classification scheme such class mark for Special Accounts and books is
HF5681, while A.2 for Account current, .A3 Account receivable”, so “Special Accounts Current
book will bear a class mark of HF5681.A2”.
Index
This refers to the alphabetical listing of all the subject content using the scheme with their
relevant class mark to identify each subject against other subjects. There are two types of index
namely.
a) A Specific Index: It is a systematic arrangement of classification terms in an alphabetical
order, which provides a place for entry but does not show location for related entries.
b) A Relative Index: The relative index is an attachment to the schedules use in book
classification. It is arranged in an alphabetical sequence. The relative index brings together all
the disciplines which were scattered in a subject using the classification schedules in one place.
So it shows a term and its various aspects with another. The relative index as used in Dewey
Decimal Classification is an alphabetical index which is used in searching for books or topics by
classifiers and library users.
Form Divisions
Here knowledge presented in different forms is taken into considerations in the classification of
the subject. The form division may be a textbook, dictionary, and encyclopaedia. The form
representing the knowledge is placed with the subject. The number used in representing the
forms of a book in classification is called Form division or sub-divisions or common -isolates.
For example, Literature – Poetry, Prose, Fiction and Drama all are sub-divisions of Literature but
there are not separated from their main class “Literature”.
Tables
This is another tool used in the classification scheme with the schedules and index. Classification
tables provide the list of symbols which are added to a class mark to make it more specific and
précised.
A generalities class
This class in the classification schemes stand for all the books or items which have not been
assigned any particular subject class which may be due to their content treatment. Examples are
encyclopaedias, dictionaries, general bibliographies etc.
