Chapter XVI Systematic Classification Schemes
235. General
235. General.—Quite a large number of classification schemes have been devised by Continental, American and British librarians, in which books are systematically arranged according to related topics, and marked with a notation which enables any book or subject to be distinguished by its number, for purposes of shelving, charging and cataloguing. All the best known of such schemes are described in Brown’s Library Classification and Cataloguing, London, 1912, and Richardson’s Classification, 1912. It will be sufficient to name the methods of Harris, Perkins and Smith, of America; Edwards and Sonnenschein, of England; Bonazzi, of Italy; and Hartwig, of Germany, which, with the well-known French scheme of Brunet, make up a very interesting collection of international contributions to the classification of books. None of these schemes has been adopted in more than one or two libraries, so that their influence is not sufficiently widespread to make any further description of their details necessary. It will be much more helpful to librarians if the chief systems of classification are mentioned which fulfil every requirement as regards notation and general adaptability to library work, and have been put to the practical test of application in a number of libraries. The systems in question are the Decimal, Expansive, Library of Congress, and Subject, the last being English and the three others American. They have all been extensively adopted, and each exists as a separate printed work, with an index; a vital part of any method of classification. Unprinted schemes, or those of merely theoretical interest, have little practical value, and though every librarian has his own ideas of classification, and generally manages to graft them on to the scheme of some other person, and even to nibble away at his original, it is the best and wisest course to adopt a complete, printed and accessible scheme with as little modification as possible.
236. Decimal Classification
236. Decimal Classification.—This, the most popular and widely applied of all library schemes, was invented by Melvil Dewey in 1873-76, and has been under revision constantly since, and is to-day in general a very extensive and detailed scheme. As indicated by its name, the system is divided into groups of ten, and from this results an admirable notation of unlimited expansibility.
Its chief divisions are as follows:
| 000 General Works. | ||||
| 010 | Bibliography. | |||
| 020 | Library Economy. | |||
| 030 | General Cyclopædias. | |||
| 040 | General Collections. | |||
| 050 | General Periodicals. | |||
| 060 | General Societies. | |||
| 070 | Newspapers. | |||
| 080 | Special Libraries. | |||
| 090 | Book Rarities. | |||
| 100 Philosophy. | ||||
| 110 | Metaphysics | |||
| 120 | Metaphysics: Special Topics. | |||
| 130 | Mind and Body. | |||
| 140 | Philosophical Systems. | |||
| 150 | Mental Faculties, Psychology. | |||
| 160 | Logic. | |||
| 170 | Ethics. | |||
| 180 | Ancient Philosophers. | |||
| 190 | Modern Philosophers. | |||
| 200 Religion. | ||||
| 210 | Natural Theology. | |||
| 220 | Bible. | |||
| 230 | Doctrinal Theology. | |||
| 240 | Devotional and Practical. | |||
| 350 | Homiletic, Pastoral, etc. | |||
| 260 | Church Institutions. | |||
| 270 | Religious History. | |||
| 280 | Christian Churches and Sects. | |||
| 290 | Non-Christian Religions. | |||
| 300 Sociology. | ||||
| 310 | Statistics. | |||
| 320 | Political Science. | |||
| 330 | Political Economy. | |||
| 340 | Law. | |||
| 350 | Administration. | |||
| 360 | Associations. | |||
| 370 | Education. | |||
| 380 | Commerce, etc. | |||
| 390 | Customs, Costumes, Folklore. | |||
| 400 Philology. | ||||
| 410 | Comparative. | |||
| 420 | English. | |||
| 430 | German. | |||
| 440 | French. | |||
| 450 | Italian. | |||
| 460 | Spanish. | |||
| 470 | Latin. | |||
| 480 | Greek. | |||
| 490 | Minor Languages. | |||
| 500 Natural Science. | ||||
| 510 | Mathematics. | |||
| 520 | Astronomy. | |||
| 530 | Physics. | |||
| 540 | Chemistry | |||
| 550 | Geology. | |||
| 560 | Palæontology. | |||
| 570 | Biology. | |||
| 580 | Botany. | |||
| 590 | Zoology. | |||
| 600 Useful Arts. | ||||
| 610 | Medicine. | |||
| 620 | Engineering. | |||
| 630 | Agriculture. | |||
| 640 | Domestic Economy. | |||
| 650 | Communications. | |||
| 660 | Chemical Technology. | |||
| 670 | Manufactures. | |||
| 680 | Mechanic Trades. | |||
| 690 | Building. | |||
| 700 Fine Arts. | ||||
| 710 | Landscape Gardening. | |||
| 720 | Architecture. | |||
| 730 | Sculpture. | |||
| 740 | Drawing, Decoration. | |||
| 750 | Painting. | |||
| 760 | Engraving. | |||
| 770 | Photography. | |||
| 780 | Music. | |||
| 790 | Amusements. | |||
| 800 Literature. | ||||
| 810 | American. | |||
| 820 | English. | |||
| 830 | German. | |||
| 840 | French. | |||
| 850 | Italian. | |||
| 860 | Spanish. | |||
| 870 | Latin. | |||
| 880 | Greek. | |||
| 890 | Minor Languages. | |||
| 900 History. | ||||
| 910 | Geography and Description. | |||
| 920 | Biography. | |||
| 930 | Ancient History. | |||
| 940 | Europe. | - | Modern. | |
| 950 | Asia. | |||
| 960 | Africa. | |||
| 970 | N. America. | |||
| 980 | S. America. | |||
| 990 | Oceanica and Polar Regions. | |||
This scheme is published separately as Tables and Index of the Decimal Classification and relative Index for arranging and cataloguing Libraries, Clippings, Notes, etc., by Melvil Dewey, Boston, and has been largely expanded, with an elaborate additional apparatus of form and relation marks, by the Institut International de Bibliographie, Brussels.
237. Expansive Classification
237. Expansive Classification.—This system was devised by Charles Amni Cutter, a well-known American librarian, and author of the code of Rules for a Dictionary Catalogue, which has been a text-book for many years. The Expansive Classification has not been adopted to any extent in Britain, but is printed in a series of seven classifications of progressive fullness, and completely indexed, and so becomes one of the methods to be studied.
An outline of the scheme follows:
| A | Generalia |
| A | General works |
| Ae | General encyclopædias |
| Ap | General periodicals |
| Ar | Reference works |
| As | General societies |
| B-D | Spiritual sciences |
| B | Philosophy |
| Ba-Bf | National philosophies and Systems of philosophy |
| Bg | Metaphysics |
| Bh | Logic |
| Bi | Psychology |
| Bm | Moral philosophy |
| Br | Religion, Natural theology |
| Bt | Religions |
| Bu | Folk-lore |
| Ca | Judaism |
| Cb | Bible |
| Cc | Christianity |
| Cce | Patristics |
| Ce | Apologetics, Evidences |
| Cf | Doctrinal theology |
| Ck | Ethical theology |
| Cp | Ritual theology and Church polity |
| Cx | Pastoral theology |
| Cz | Sermons |
| D | Ecclesiastical history |
| Dk | Particular churches and sects |
| E-G | Historical sciences |
| E | Biography and Portraits |
| F-Fz | History |
| F | Universal history |
| F02 | Ancient history |
| F03 | Modern history |
| F04 | Mediæval history |
| F11-F99 | History of single countries (using local list) |
| Fa-Fw | Allied studies, as Chronology, Philosophy of history, History of civilization, Antiquities, Numismatics, Chivalry, Heraldry |
| G | Geography, Travels |
| G11-G99 | Single countries (using local list) |
| Ga | Ancient geography |
| Gf | Surveying and Map-making |
| Gz | Maps |
| H-K | Social sciences |
| Hb | Statistics |
| Hc | Economics |
| He | Production |
| Hf | Labour |
| Hi | Slavery |
| Hj | Transportation |
| Hk | Distribution, Commerce |
| Hm | Money |
| Hn | Banking |
| Hr | Private finance |
| Ht | Taxation and Public finance |
| Hu | Tariff |
| Hw | Property, Capital |
| Hz | Consumption |
| I | Demotics, Sociology |
| Ic | Crime |
| Ig | Charity |
| Ih | Providence |
| Ik | Education |
| J | Civics, Government, Political science |
| Ju | Constitutions and Politics |
| K | Legislation and Law |
| Kd | Public Documents |
| L-Q | Natural sciences |
| L | General works, Metrics |
| Lb-Lg | Number and space |
| Lb | Mathematics |
| Lh-Lr | Matter and force |
| Lh | Physics |
| Lo | Chemistry |
| Lr | Astronomy |
| M-Q | Matter and life |
| M | Natural history |
| Mg | Geology, incl. Mineralogy, Crystallography, Physical geography, Meteorology, Palæontology |
| My | Biology |
| N | Botany |
| Cryptogams | |
| Phanerogams | |
| O | Zoology |
| Invertebrates | |
| P | Vertebrates |
| Pg | Mammals |
| Pw | Anthropology, Ethnology, Ethnography |
| Q | Medicine |
| R-Z | Arts |
| R | General works, Exhibitions, Patents |
| Rd-Rg | Extractive arts |
| Rd | Mining |
| Re | Metallurgy |
| Rf | Agriculture |
| Rh | Horticulture |
| Ri | Silviculture |
| Rj | Animaliculture |
| Rq | Chemic arts |
| Rt | Electric arts |
| Ry | Domestic arts |
| Rz | Food and Cookery |
| S | Constructive arts, Engineering |
| Sg | Building |
| Sj | Sanitary engineering |
| Sl | Hydraulic engineering |
| St | Transportation and Communication |
| T | Fabricative arts, Machinery, Manufacturing and Handicrafts |
| U | Protective arts, i.e. Military and Naval Arts, Life-preserving, Fire-fighting |
| V | Athletic and Recreative arts, Sports and Games |
| Vs | Gymnastics |
| Vt | Theatre |
| Vv | Music |
| W | Fine arts, plastic and graphic |
| We | Landscape gardening |
| Wf | Architecture |
| Wk | Casting, Baking, Firing |
| Wm | Drawing |
| Wp | Painting |
| Wq | Engraving |
| Wr | Photography |
| Ws | Decorative arts, including Costume |
| X-Yf | Communicative arts (by language) |
| X | Philology |
| X | Inscriptions |
| X | Language |
| Y | Literature |
| Yf | English Fiction |
| Z | Book arts (making and use of books) |
| Za-Zk | Production |
| Za | Authorship |
| Zb | Rhetoric |
| Zd | Writing |
| Zh | Printing |
| Zk | Binding |
| Zl | Distribution (Publishing and Bookselling) |
| Zp | Storage and Use (Libraries) |
| Zu | Description (Zu Bibliography; Zx Selection of reading; Zy Literary history; Zz National bibliography) |
This scheme is published separately as Expansive Classification: the first six Expansions, by C. A. Cutter, Boston, 1891, etc., and a seventh expansion of the work is being issued under the supervision of W. P. Cutter, nephew of the author, but no parts have been published for several years.
238. Library of Congress
238. Library of Congress.—This is the elaborate and detailed scheme applied to the great Library of Congress, and is the work of its classification department. Its outline (1909) is based upon that of the Expansive scheme of Cutter which is shown above, but is varied to meet what are thought to be the special needs of the American national library. Each of the classes has been published separately in convenient form with an index.
The main classes and divisions of the Library of Congress Classification are as follows:
| A | General Works. Polygraphy |
| AC | Collections. Series. Collected Works |
| AE | Encyclopædias |
| AG | General reference works (other than encyclopædias) |
| AI | Indexes |
| AM | Museums |
| AN | Newspapers |
| AP | Periodicals |
| AS | Societies. Academies |
| AY | Year-books. Almanacs |
| AZ | General history of knowledge and learning |
| B | Philosophy. Religion |
| B-J | Philosophy |
| B | Collections. History. Systems |
| BC | Logic |
| BD | Metaphysics |
| Introductions to Philosophy. Treatises | |
| Epistemology. Theory of knowledge | |
| Onotology | |
| Cosmology. | |
| Teleology | |
| Philosophy of religion | |
| BF | Psychology |
| BH | Esthetics |
| BJ | Ethics |
| BL-BV | Religion. Theology |
| BL | Religions. Mythology. Cults |
| BM | Theology. Generalities |
| BN | Historical (Church history) |
| BQ | Exegetical (Bible, etc.) |
| BS | Systematic (Dogmatics. Apologetics) |
| BV | Practical (Pastoral. Homiletics. Liturgies) |
| C | History—Auxiliary sciences |
| CA | Philosophy of history |
| CB | History of civilization (general and general special only) |
| CC | Antiquities. General |
| CD | Archives. Diplomatics |
| CE | Chronology |
| CJ | Numismatics |
| CN | Epigraphy. Inscriptions |
| CE | Heraldry |
| CS | Genealogy |
| CT | Biography |
| D | History and Topography (except America) |
| D | General history |
| DA | British history |
| 20-690 England | |
| 700-749 Wales | |
| 750-890 Scotland | |
| 900-995 Ireland | |
| DB | Austria-Hungary |
| DC | France |
| DD | Germany |
| DE | Classical antiquity |
| DF | Greece |
| DG | Italy |
| DH-DJ | Netherlands |
| 1-399 Belgium and Holland | |
| 901-921 Belgium | |
| 901-916 Luxemburg. Holland | |
| DK | Russia |
| 100-400 Russia. General. | |
| 401-438 Poland | |
| 451-470 Finland | |
| 751-999 Russia in Asia | |
| DL | Scandinavia |
| 1-81 Scandinavia. General | |
| 101-296 Denmark | |
| 301-398 Iceland | |
| 401-595 Norway | |
| 601-996 Sweden | |
| DP | Spain and Portugal |
| 1-462 Spain | |
| 500-902 Portugal | |
| DQ | Switzerland |
| DR | Turkey and the Balkan States |
| DS | Asia |
| DT | Africa |
| DU | Australia and Oceania |
| E-F | America |
| E | America (general) and United States (general) |
| F | United States (local) and America outside of U.S. |
| G | Geography. Anthropology |
| G | Geography. Voyages. Travel (general) |
| GA | Mathematical and astronomical geography |
| GB | Physical geography |
| GC | Oceanology and oceanography |
| GD | Biography |
| GF | Anthropogeography |
| GN | Anthropology. Somatology. Ethnology. Ethnography, (general). Prehistoric archæology |
| GR | Folk-lore |
| GT | Culture and civilization. Manners and customs |
| GV | Sports and amusements. Games |
| H | Social Sciences. General |
| HA | Statistics |
| HB | Economics, Theory |
| Economic history. | |
| National production, economic situation (by countries) | |
| HD | Economic history. Organization and situation of agriculture and industries |
| Land. Agriculture | |
| Corporations | |
| Labour | |
| Industries | |
| HE | Transportation and communication |
| HF | Commerce, including tariff |
| HG | Finance |
| Money | |
| Banking | |
| Insurance | |
| HJ | Public finance |
| HM | Sociology. General and theoretical |
| HN | Social history. Social reform |
| Social groups | |
| Family, marriage, women | |
| Associations, secret societies, clubs, etc. | |
| Communities: Urban, Rural | |
| Classes. Aristocracy, third estate, bourgeoisie, peasantry, labouring classes, proletariate, serfs | |
| Nations. Races | |
| HV | Social pathology. Philanthropy. Charities and corrections |
| HX | Socialism. Communism. Anarchism |
| J | Political science. Documents |
| 1-9 Official gazettes | |
| 10-99 United States | |
| 100-999 Other countries. | |
| JA | General works |
| JC | Theory of state |
| JF | Constitutional history and administration. General |
| JK | United States |
| JL | Other American States |
| JN | Europe |
| JQ | Asia, Africa, Australia, and Pacific Islands |
| JS | Local Government |
| JV | Colonies and colonization. Emigration and immigration |
| JX | International law |
| K | Law |
| L | Education. General works |
| LA | History of education |
| LB | Theory and practice. Educational psychology. Teaching |
| LC | Special forms, relations, and applications |
| LD | Universities and colleges |
| LE | Other American |
| LF | Europe |
| LG | Asia, Africa, Oceania |
| LH | University, college, and school magazines, etc. |
| LJ | College fraternities and their publications |
| LT | Text-books (general only; special text-books go with their subjects, B-Z) |
| M | Music |
| ML | Musical literature |
| MT | Theory |
| N | Fine Arts. General |
| NA | Architecture |
| NB | Sculpture and related arts |
| NC | Graphic arts in general. Drawing and design |
| ND | Painting |
| NE | Engraving |
| NF | Photography (in art). See TR |
| NK | Art applied to industry. Decoration and ornament |
| P | Language and Literature |
| Philology and Linguistics | |
| PA | Classical philology |
| 1-199 General | |
| 201-891 Greek languages | |
| 1001-1151 Mediæval and modern | |
| 2001-2899 Latin language | |
| PB | Modern European languages. General works |
| Celtic language | |
| Romance languages | |
| Teutonic languages | |
| General | |
| Gothic | |
| Scandinavian | |
| PE | English |
| PF | Frisian |
| Dutch | |
| German | |
| PG | Slavic languages |
| Lithuanian | |
| Lettish | |
| PH | Finnish |
| Hungarian | |
| Albanian | |
| Basque | |
| PJ | Oriental languages. General works |
| Hamitic | |
| Semitic | |
| PK | Indo-Iranian |
| Armenian | |
| Caucasian | |
| PL | Languages of Eastern Asia, Oceania, Africa |
| PM | Hyperborean languages |
| American languages | |
| PN-PV | Literary History. Literature |
| PZ | Fiction |
| Q | Science. General |
| QA | Mathematics |
| 801-999 Analytic mechanics | |
| QB | Astronomy |
| 281-349 Geodesy | |
| QC | Physics |
| 81-119 Weights and measures | |
| 801-999 Terrestrial magnetism and meteorology | |
| QD | Chemistry |
| 901-999 Crystallography | |
| QE | Geology |
| cf. BG, GC | |
| 351-499 Mineralogy and petrology | |
| 701-999 Palæontology | |
| QH | Natural history |
| 201-299 Microscopy | |
| 301-999 General biology | |
| QK | Botany |
| QL | Zoology |
| 801-999 General anatomy and embryology | |
| QM | Human anatomy |
| QP | Physiology |
| QR | Bacteriology |
| R | Medicine. General |
| RA | State medicine. Documents Public health |
| Medical climatology. Hospitals | |
| Jurisprudence | |
| RB | Pathology |
| RC | Practice of medicine |
| RD | Surgery |
| RE | Ophthalmology |
| RF | Otology. Phrenology. Laryngology |
| RG | Gynecology and obstetrics |
| RJ | Pediatrics |
| RK | Dentistry |
| RL | Dermatology |
| RM | Therapeutics |
| RS | Pharmacy and materia medica |
| RT | Nursing |
| RV | Botanic, Thomsonian and Eclectic medicine |
| RZ | Miscellaneous schools and arts |
| S | Agriculture. Plant and Animal Industry |
| General agriculture, soils, fertilizers, farm implements, etc. | |
| SB | General plant culture, including field crops. Horticulture. Landscape gardening and parks. Pests and diseases |
| SD | Forestry |
| SF | Animal husbandry. Veterinary medicine |
| Fish culture and fisheries. Angling | |
| SK | Hunting. Game protection |
| T | Technology. General |
| TA-TH | Building and Engineering Group |
| TA | Engineering. General. Civil engineering |
| TC | Hydraulic engineering (harbours, rivers, canals) |
| TD | Sanitary and municipal engineering |
| TE | Roads and pavements |
| TF | Railroads |
| TG | Bridges and roofs |
| TH | Building construction |
| 9111-9600 Fire prevention, fire extinction | |
| TJ-TL | Mechanical Group |
| TJ | Mechanical engineering |
| TK | Electric engineering and industries |
| TL | Motor vehicles. Cycles. Aeronautics |
| TN-TR | Chemical Group |
| TN | Mineral industries |
| TP | Chemical technology |
| TR | Photography |
| TS-TX | Composite Group |
| TS | Manufactures |
| TT | Trades |
| TX | Domestic science |
| U | Military Science. General |
| UA | Armies. Organization and distribution |
| UB | Administration |
| UC | Maintenance and transportation |
| UD | Infantry |
| UE | Cavalry |
| UF | Artillery |
| UG | Military engineering |
| UH | Minor services |
| V | Naval Science. General |
| VA | Navies. Organization and distribution |
| VB | Administration |
| VC | Maintenance |
| VD | Seamen |
| VE | Marines |
| VF | Ordnance |
| VG | Minor services |
| VK | Navigation |
| VM | Shipbuilding and marine engineering |
| Z | Bibliography and Library Science |
239. Subject Classification
239. Subject Classification.—This, the most recent British scheme, is the work of the author of this manual, James Duff Brown; is a complete, homogeneous, detailed and well-indexed scheme, and is selected for notice as being generally applicable to British libraries of all kinds, although it is not likely to oust the Decimal scheme from its priority of place. It is based on the principle of placing all topics in a logical sequence; of keeping applications of theory as close as possible to the foundation theory; and of providing one place only for each important topic. The complications and intersections of human knowledge prevent anything more than an approximation to this ideal, but it has been found in actual practice to be a classification scheme which works easily and harmoniously.
The following extracts from its valuable introduction will give the best view of the principles on which the system is based:
“The Order of the Main Classes.—The reasons which determined the adoption of a certain sequence of classes in this system may be briefly set forth here, instead of any argument or attempt to justify the order. The battle which has raged, and is still raging, among scientists, as to the best and most desirable order in which to arrange the great branches of human knowledge in order to produce a ‘hierarchy,’ must deter a non-scientific classifier from arguing on such a complicated and difficult topic. It will, therefore, suffice if I briefly describe the main classes in their order and give reasons why they were assigned to the places they occupy.
“A Generalia.—The divisions of this main class comprise most of the rules, methods and factors which are of general application, and which qualify or pervade every branch of science, industry or human study. They are universal and pervasive, and cannot be logically assigned to any other single main class as peculiar or germane to it.
“B, C, D Physical Sciences.—Matter, force, motion and their applications are assumed to precede life and mind, and for that reason the material side of science, with its applications, has been selected as a foundation main class on which to construct the system.
“E, F Biological Science.—Life and its forms, arising out of matter, occupy the second place among the main classes, and here are put general biological theories and facts, followed by plant and animal life, each in an ascending order from low to high forms of organization.
“G, H Ethnological and Medical Science.—Human life, its varieties, physical history, disorders and recreations, follows naturally as a higher development of plant and animal life, and completes the biological chain.
“I Economic Biology and Domestic Arts.—The applications of plant and animal life to human needs, placed midway between the physical and mental attributes of man as indicating the primitive exercise of mind, and to assemble in one sequence the chief biological subjects. As a matter of practical convenience, rather than logical necessity, it was thought better to keep composite subjects like Agriculture, Clothing, Foods, etc.—involving questions of origin, use and manufacture—all in one place, close to the main classes from which they are derived, rather than to distribute them more closely at Botany or Zoology.
“J, K Philosophy and Religion.—Mental attributes, order and beliefs of human life, following naturally from its physical basis, and primitive manifestation in the instinct of procuring food and clothing.
“L Social and Political Science.—Social order and laws of human life. Placed here because, although society or family and other tribal organizations may have preceded religion, mind as embodied in philosophy must have preceded both.
“M Language and Literature.—Communication and recording in human life. The spoken, written and printed word, which grew as a necessity out of the primitive operations of mind.
“N Literary Forms.—The products of communication and recording in human life in their more imaginative forms; placed here on the ground that fable probably preceded more formal history.
“O-X History, Geography, Biography.—The actions, records and descriptions of human life and its dwelling-place. Arranged in this order and at this place because of their intimate connexion. Geography, although logically related to Physiography and Biography to Ethnology, are, nevertheless, as a matter of practical utility, and because of the literature actually existing, more naturally grouped here than separated.
“The order of the classes may, therefore, be briefly described as expressing:
1. Matter.
2. Life.
3. Mind.
4. Record.”8
The only serious objection which has been urged against this scheme is the inclusion of Education, Logic, Mathematics, and the Graphic and Plastic Arts in Generalia. This course is, however, fully justified by the somewhat amusing circumstance, that the critics are unable to agree among themselves as to the exact logical place of any of the series. While one insists that Logic should be placed in Philosophy, he is bound to admit that it ought not to be separated from Mathematics, while on the other hand he cannot allow arithmetic, book-keeping and geometry to invade the sacred temple of the philosophers. Education is even a greater stumbling-block. It is variously assigned to Psychology, Sociology, Philology and Ethnology by different critics, and Fine Arts is equally perplexing. In actual practice in a library, there is really no inconvenience felt in connexion with the distribution of any of these classes, and as they do not originate naturally from any of the other main divisions, but qualify and pervade the whole of them like an encyclopædia, or other general work, it will be found best to retain them where they are. The other important features of this system are described below.
The Categorical Tables form an important feature, whereby a separate series of forms, phases and other qualifying factors are provided, which can be applied to every subject, and so relieve the main tables from congestion. They are applicable to the very largest libraries, and give ample means of subdividing any topic, however large it may be. They can also be used with other systems of classification, as they are independent of the main tables and form a series of parallel numbers by which the classification numbers can be themselves classified. For example, a library may have 1000 books on a subject like Architecture in general, to all of which the simple number B300 would be applied. By adding the qualifying numbers from the Categorical Tables, which appear after a point, and are invariably the same when applied to any subject, the following sub-classification would result, which has the effect of assembling all related forms of books together:
| B300 | Architecture, | General | |
| B300·1 | — | Bibliography | |
| B300·2 | — | Dictionaries | |
| B300·3 | — | Text-books, | Systematic |
| B300·4 | — | — | Popular |
| B300·6 | — | Societies | |
| B300·7 | — | Periodicals | |
| B300·10 | — | History | |
and so on.
If, in addition to those general works, the library possessed several hundreds of books on Building Construction, B305, these would be subdivided in exactly the same manner, as would also any subdivision of the same topic, such as Foundations, Walls, Roofs, etc.:
| B305·1 | Building | Construction, | Bibliography |
| B305·3 | — | — | Text-books, Systematic |
| B305·10 | — | — | History |
| B329·1 | Roofs, Bibliography | ||
These categorical tables are therefore of universal application, and as they contain nearly one thousand qualifying forms, phases, etc., it will be seen that their use will greatly simplify the practical work of classification.
As will be seen by the above examples, the symbols of the Notation are perfectly simple combinations of letters and numbers. By treating the numbers decimally, it is possible to intercalate as many new ones as desired between any of the existing numbers, thus providing an infinity of places.
The Index is very extensive in the number of subject-words it contains, and comprises practically every topic likely to be encountered in ordinary practice. The Classification Tables themselves provide places somewhere for every remote subject, and the Introduction describes how such out-of-the-way matters are to be treated.
It is impossible to set forth all the features of this system of classification—its elaborate series of biographical numbers for arranging Fiction, Poetry and other alphabetical classes; its new system of short date-marks; its rules for the arrangement of special subjects, authors, etc.; and its notes on the simplification of the whole subject of book classification. Reference can only be made to the Summary Table of Main Classes for an idea of the size and style of the book.
Summary Table of Main Classes, with Abridged Notation
| Main Classes | |
| A—Generalia | |
| B-D—Physical Science | |
| E-F—Biological Science | |
| G-H—Ethnology, Medicine | |
| I—Economic Biology, Domestic Arts | |
| J-K—Philosophy and Religion | |
| L—Social and Political Science | |
| M—Language and Literature | |
| N—Literary Forms, Fiction, Poetry | |
| O-W—History and Geography | |
| X—Biography | |
| A | Generalia |
| A0 | Generalia |
| A1 | Education |
| A3 | Logic |
| A4 | Mathematics |
| A5 | Geometry |
| A6 | Graphic and Plastic Arts |
| A9 | General Science |
| B, C, D | Physical Science |
| B0 | Physics, Dynamics |
| B1 | Mechanical engineering |
| B2 | Civil engineering |
| B3 | Architecture |
| B5 | Railways, Vehicles |
| B6 | Transport, Shipbuilding |
| B8 | Naval and Military science |
| C0 | Electricity |
| C1 | Optics |
| C2 | Heat |
| C3 | Acoustics |
| C4 | Music |
| C8 | Astronomy |
| D0 | Physiography |
| D1 | Hydrography, Hydrostatics |
| D2 | Meteorology, Pneumatics |
| D3 | Geology, Petrology |
| D4 | Crystallography, Mineralogy |
| D6 | Metallurgy, Mining, Metal trades |
| D7 | Chemistry |
| D9 | Chemical technology |
| E, F | Biological Science |
| E0 | Biology |
| E1 | Botany |
| E2 | Cryptogams |
| E3 | Phanerogams |
| F0 | Zoology |
| F1 | Metazoa |
| F2 | Mollusca |
| F3 | Insecta |
| F4 | Pisces (Fishes) |
| F5 | Reptilia |
| F6 | Aves (Birds) |
| F7 | Mammalia |
| G, H | Ethnology and Medicine |
| G0 | Ethnology |
| G2 | Human Anatomy and Physiology |
| G3 | Pathology |
| G4 | Materia medica |
| G5 | Therapeutics |
| G6 | Functions, Organs, Osteology |
| G7 | Nervous system |
| G8 | Sensory system |
| G9 | Respiratory system |
| H0 | Blood and Circulation |
| H1 | Digestive system |
| H2 | Urinary system |
| H3 | Reproductive system |
| H4 | Skin and Hair |
| H5 | Parasitical and Infectious diseases |
| H6 | Ambulance, Hospitals, Hygiene |
| H7 | Physical Training and Exercises |
| H8 | Field sports |
| H9 | Recreative arts |
| I | Economic Biology, Domestic Arts |
| I0 | Agriculture, Dairy farming |
| I1 | Veterinary medicine |
| I2 | Milling, Gardening, Forestry |
| I3 | Wood-working |
| I4 | Textile manufactures |
| I5 | Clothing trades |
| I6 | Costume. Jewellery |
| I7 | Vegetable and Animal products |
| I8 | Foods and Beverages |
| I9 | Gastronomy. Domestic economy |
| J, K | Philosophy and Religion |
| J0 | Metaphysics |
| J1 | Æsthetics, Psychology |
| J2 | Ethics |
| J3 | Philosophy |
| J4 | Theology, Religion, general |
| J5 | Mythology, Folk-lore |
| J6 | Church doctrines |
| J7 | Fasts and Festivals |
| J8 | Church Government |
| K0 | Non-Christian churches |
| K1 | Bible |
| K3 | Christology |
| K4 | Early and Eastern Christian churches |
| K5 | Monachism |
| K6 | Roman Catholicism |
| K7 | Protestantism. Episcopacy |
| K8 | Nonconformist churches |
| K9 | Presbyterian and other churches |
| L | Social and Political Science |
| L0 | Social science |
| L1 | Political economy |
| L2 | Government |
| L3 | Central and Local administration |
| L4 | Law |
| L5 | Trials. Actions |
| L6 | Criminology. Penology |
| L7 | Contracts. Property |
| L8 | Commerce and Trade |
| L9 | Finance |
| M | Language and Literature |
| M0 | Language, general |
| M1 | Literature, general |
| M2 | African Languages and Literature |
| M2-3 | Asiatic Languages and Literature |
| M3 | Malayan-Polynesian Literature |
| M4 | European (Latin, etc.) Literature |
| M5 | European (Teutonic) |
| M6 | American |
| M7 | Palæography. Bibliography |
| M8 | Printing, Bookbinding |
| M9 | Library economy |
| N | Literary Forms |
| N0 | Fiction |
| N1 | Poetry |
| N2 | Drama |
| N3 | Essays and Miscellanea |
| O-W | History and Geography |
| O0 | Universal history |
| O1 | Archæology |
| O2 | Universal geography |
| O3 | Africa, North |
| O4 | Egypt |
| O5 | East Africa |
| O6 | Central Africa |
| O7 | South Africa |
| O8 | West Africa |
| O9 | African Islands |
| P | Oceania and Asia |
| P0 | Australia |
| P1 | Polynesia, Micronesia, etc. |
| P2 | Malaysia |
| P29 | Asia |
| P3 | Japan |
| P4 | China |
| P5 | Farther India. Malay States |
| P6 | India |
| P88 | Afghanistan |
| P9 | Persia |
| Q, R | Europe (South, Latin, etc.) |
| Q0 | Europe, general |
| Q1 | Turkey in Europe |
| Q12 | Turkey in Asia |
| Q2 | Palestine, Arabia |
| Q3 | Greece |
| Q4 | Balkan States |
| Q5 | Italy |
| R0 | France |
| R6 | Spain |
| R8 | Portugal |
| S, T | Europe (North, Teutonic, Slavonic) |
| S0 | Russia in Europe |
| S15 | Poland |
| S2 | Finland |
| S25 | Russia in Asia |
| S3 | Austria |
| S34 | Bohemia |
| S4 | Hungary |
| S5 | Switzerland |
| S6 | Germany |
| T0 | Netherlands |
| T1 | Holland |
| T2 | Belgium |
| T5 | Denmark |
| T6 | Norway |
| T8 | Sweden |
| U, V | British Islands |
| U0 | Ireland |
| U2 | Wales |
| U3 | England |
| V0 | Scotland |
| V5 | United Kingdom |
| V6 | British Empire |
| W | America |
| W0 | America, general |
| W02 | Canada |
| W1 | United States |
| W5 | Mexico |
| W6 | Central America |
| W63 | West Indies |
| W7 | South America |
| W72 | Brazil |
| W76 | Peru |
| W78 | Paraguay |
| W8 | Argentina |
| W83 | Chili |
| W9 | Polar Regions |
| X | Biography |
| X0 | Collective and Class |
| X08 | Heraldry |
| X2 | Portraits |
| X3 | Individual Biography |
240. Adjustable Classification
240. Adjustable Classification.—The Subject Classification is the second scheme invented by Brown which has achieved success. The earlier scheme was the Adjustable Classification for Libraries, with Index, London, 1898, and is interesting as the forerunner of the much larger subject scheme. Only the main classes are given here:
A Science
B Useful Arts
C Fine and Recreative Arts
D Social Science
E Philosophy and Religion
F History and Geography
G Biography
H Language and Literature
J Poetry and Drama
K Prose Fiction
L Miscellaneous
This initial alphabetic notation is divided by a progressive numerical notation, of which the following is a sample:
| D | Social Science |
| 2-8 | General |
| 10-92 | Manners, Customs, etc. |
| 94-150 | Political Economy |
| 152-272 | Government and Politics |
| 274-354 | Law |
| 356-358 | Commerce, Finance |
| 400-424 | Communications |
| 426-484 | Education |
Notes
8 From Subject Classification, by James Duff Brown, 1906, pp. 11-13; second edition, 1914.