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 Notation in library classification

1.What is notation

Notation is a system of symbols used in a classification scheme to represent classes and their relationship

it converts conceptual arrangement of subjects into class marks for arrangement and retrieval

Different schemes use different types of notation

2. Types of Notation

Uses one species of symbols

Ex. DDC uses Arabic numerals (0-9)

Simple and easy to use

500.123 (DDC)

Mixed Notation 

Uses two or more species of symbols (numerals, letters, punctuatuation)

Ex. Colon Classification (CC) Library of congress (LCC) More flexible and expressive 

QA76.73

 3. Hierarchical Notation: Notation reflects the hierarchical arrangement of classes.

Increasing specificity is shown by extension of notation

Ex. DDC 

Science 500

Mathematics 510

Geometry 516 

4.Hospitality in notation:

Capacity of a notation to accommodate new subjects, concepts and subdivisions without disturbing the existing structure.

Hospitality in Array

Insertion of new coordinate classes

Hospitality in chain

Insertion of new subordinate or superordinate  levels.

5.Mnenomics:

Notation is mnemonic when recurring symbols help users remember concepts.

Aids memory and makes notation easy to learn interpret and apply.

Widely used in classification schemes. 

6.Qualities of Good notation

Simplicity: Easy to write and understand

Brevity: Reasonably short

Expressiveness: Reflects useful relationships

Hospitality: Accommodates new subjects

Mnemonics: Assists memory

Uniqueness: Provides clear identification.

7.Notation in major schemes

DDC                          Pure (Arabic numerals)

UDC                          Arabic numerals+auxiliary symbols (mixed)

Library of Congress classification:Mixed/alphaneumeric (letters+numerals)

8.Facts to remember 

Notation represents classes through symbols

Pure notation uses one species of symbols

Mixed notation uses two or more species of symbols

DDC predominantly uses pure numerical notation

Colon classification uses mixed notation 

Hospitatlity = capacity to accommodate new subjects 

Arrary hospitality concerns cordinate classes

chain hospitality concerns hierarchical lvels

Mnemonics make notation easier to remember

9.Pure=One

Mixed= Many

Hospitality=Growth

Mnemonics=Memory

10.The capacity of a classification notation to accommodate new subjects is called

a)Mnemonics

b)Hospitality

c)Enumeration 

d)Collocation