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Types and definition of Notation for library science

By LISEDUNETWORK — November 10, 2013 — Updated: March 17, 2023  3 Comments  4 Mins Read

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In libraries, notation is often used as a standardized way of organizing and retrieving information.
Notation systems can be used to classify books, articles, and other resources based on the subject
matter, author, format, and other criteria.

One of the most commonly used notation systems in libraries is the Dewey Decimal Classification
(DDC), which assigns a unique number to each subject area. For example, books on mathematics are
assigned a number in the 500s, while books on literature are assigned a number in the 800s. This
allows library users to browse the shelves in a systematic way, finding books on a particular topic
grouped together.

Another popular notation system used in libraries is the

Library of Congress Classification (LCC), which is often
used in academic libraries. The LCC uses a combination
of letters and numbers to organize books by subject,
author, and other criteria.

Notation is also used in cataloging records to help identify specific resources. For example, a book’s
ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is a unique identifier that is used to help libraries keep
track of their holdings and to help patrons locate specific books.

Overall, notation plays an important role in libraries by helping to organize and retrieve information in
a consistent and standardized way.

Definition of Notation

Notation is a term that is used in classification schedules. Notation is a series of symbols, which is
used to represent a subject, and it is a very important feature of book classification in a library.

Harrods Librarian Glossary (Tenth ed.) “The symbols which stand for the divisions in
a scheme of classification.”

Harrods Librarian Glossary “A Notation is the ordered, series or symbol that stand
for the ordered, series or terms in the classification schedule.”

W. Howard Phileps “A book notation is a series of symbols in which stand for the
name of a class or any division or subdivision of a class and forms of a convenient
means of reference to the arrangement of a classification.”

H.E Bliss “Notation as a system of marks and symbols in some order, denoting
terms or member of a series or system of things.”

A book notation is a series of symbols that stands for the name of a class or any division or
subdivision of a class and forms a convenient means of reference to the arrangement of a
classification.

The notation is an essential addition to a classification schedule; it has in no way determined its logic,
its scope, or its sequence of development. It furnishes a convenient reference to the arrangement of
classification; the symbol is not assigned until after the schedule has been worked out. It has no
more bearing on the preparation of the logic of a classification outline than the chapter numbers of a
book have in fixing the t5hemes of those chapters.

In most book classifications, the notation is a symbol that stands for either the subject of the book or
the style of writing. Since the notation is a sign translation of the classification, it usually ensures
when it is added to the backs of books. This book arrangement represents the order of the schedules.
A notation is essential for the practical application of book classification; without notation, it would be
impossible to apply classification to books. As classification is the “foundation of librarianship,”‘ it can
be said that”notation is the basis of practical book classification.”

Types of Notation:

A notation may contain symbols, letters, figures, or arbitrary signs representing terms. There are two
types of notation:

1. Pure Notation

2. Mixed Notation

1. Pure Notation: Pure Notation consists of only one type of symbol. i.e. Arabic numeral (0,1,2…..9)
and Roman letter (A-Z). It is found in DDC (Dewey Decimal Classification)e and the Enumerative
Classification scheme.

For example:

020 stands for Library & Information Science,

210 Philosophy & theory of religion

370 Education

420 English & Old English languages

510 stands for Mathematics, etc.

800 Literature, rhetoric & criticism

920 Biography & genealogy

2. Mixed Notation: Mixed notation consists of two or more types of notation. It is a mixture of letters
and numbers, i.e., Arabic numeral and Roman letter (0-9) + (A-Z). It is found in UDC, LC, CC, BC & SC
schemes.

For example:

LCq- Science

QC- Physic
 QC1- Periodicals.

JC47 – Oriental state

JF20-2112 – Political institutions and public administration

Related Post:

Quality of Good Notation.

Functions of Notation.

Classification Notation

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