The past week in class we have discussed different library classsification schemes. This is very important in research for the simple reason of finding what one needs. The old method of classification in libraries was the Dewey Decimal system. This system classifies books and all other reference material in ten main classes. In those ten main classes, each has ten division, then each of those has ten sections. This gives each of the ten main classes: 100 divisions, and 1000 sections. The ten main classes are in this order starting with 000: Computer Science, 100: Philosophy and Psycology, 200: Religion, 300: Social Sciences, 400: Language, 500: Sciences, 600: Technology, 700: Arts and Fine Arts, 800: Literature, 900: History and Geography. The inventor of this classification was Melvil Dewey. He was born in New York City in 1851. He grtaduated from Amherst College in 1874. He then got his master’s degree and began working as a library assistant. This is when he devised his system by cataloging books by decimal numbers. From 1888 to 1906 he ran the New York State Library; this is where he completely re-organized the books making it the most effecient library in the world. We do appreciate Mr. Dewey’s classification scheme, however, we have a new, and even more effecient classification shceme. Now, the Library of Congress Classification is the up to date way of organizing a library. It is used by most scholarly or academic libraries while some still use the Dewey Decimal system. This classification shceme was developed by Herbert Putnam in 1897. The difference between this way and the Dewey Decimal system is that there are more main classes instead of just ten. The classes are organized by the letters in the alphabet with exception to: i, o, and x, becuase these letters can be confused with other characters. The new way organizes in broader categories but there are more categories, making it user friendly. Library categorization is fun and interesting!!
Library Tour February 8, 2008
Last week our class went on an expedition throughout the library’s secret underworld. We visited the archives room, the government documents section, and the special collections area. The archives room was full of boxes and one of a kind objects, such as the old seahawk mascot mask. There was also a map that was the development plan in the 1970’s. I found this very interesting becuase I am a geography major that takes many classes on cartography and urban planning. Next we went to the government documents section which was no new thing for me. I frequent this area becuase I need topographic maps for many of my classes as well as soil surveys for soil analysis and geomorphology. The directer of the government documents section is Eileen Brown. Her son played on my soccer and lacrosse teams here in Wilmington at Cape Fear Academy. It is nice to know that I could visit her anytime for questions about any help I would need. It seemed like all the departments that we have visited were very student friendly and willing to help you for any questions or concerns. The last place we went to was the Special Collections section. As we arrived, the faculty in this department were setting up for a surfing history exhibit which encompassed the surfing history here in southeastern North Carolina. This was a very interesting exhibit for me as a New Hanover County local and avid surfer. Other items that were not on exhibit were things like miniature books, most of which were dictionaries; and old aeriel photos of Wilmington and Wrightsville Beach. Again, as a geography major these items were particularly interesting becuase the photos showed the change of the area during the last sixty years. I had a good time snooping around in the library, hopefully we can wonder around again some time.
Hello world! January 14, 2008
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