[DCRB-L] Classification numbers

[Deborah J. Leslie]

DDC, LC, and other classification systems that I know of are all subject classifications, specifically designed to facilitate reader browsing. When stacks are closed and browsing is not permitted, the primary goal of subject classification is not present. And since subject classification does require time on the cataloger's part to apply, and has shelving disadvantages as well, many rare book repositories (such as the Folger) keep most of their rare books in accession number order.

There is an advantage to subject classification for closed stacks, which is the browsing possible by shelfmark in online library systems. It's a matter of effort vs. benefit. In a closed stack, the benefits don't come close to justifying the efforts.

___________________________
Deborah J. Leslie, M.A., M.L.S. 
Head of Cataloging
Folger Shakespeare Library
201 East Capitol St., S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
202.675-0369 (p)
202.675-0328 (f)
djleslie at folger.edu
www.folger.edu


-----Original Message-----
From: jones barbara [mailto:jones5 at ux1.cso.uiuc.edu] 
Sent: Thursday, May 01, 2003 2:34 PM
To: dcrb-l at lib.byu.edu
Subject: [DCRB-L] Classification numbers


Colleagues:  As a lapsed cataloger who has forgotten much of the
theoretical underpinnings, I would very much appreciate your opinions,
local practices, or references to articles on the following question:

Why do we assign classification numbers in books in a closed stack such as
a rare book library?  Do your libraries assign them?  I am not referring
to named collections here.

I would appreciate practical as well as theoretical reasons.

I miss the good times we had in New Haven.  Best wishes, Barbara Jones