Notation: Kinds, Qualities

Definition
Notation is a system of short hand symbols to denote
subjects and their subdivisions by ordinal digits.
 A digit is a part of notational systems. These digits
have only ordinal value i.e., show only order.
These digits are not cardinal(basic) or quantitative. To
explain, in a notational system comprising of 1,2,3,…9
etc., it means value of 2 is not greater than1, but will
only come after it.
Contd….
Similarly, if it comprises of symbol A,B….Z, it means C
is not greater than A or B, but will fall between B and
D.
 That is notation conveys only the order not value or
weight.
Notation is a stable sign by which we denote classes,
subjects and aspects of documents to form a call
number
Need and Purpose
Names/terms for subjects in the verbal plane are too
long to be written as labels. Hence we require short
symbols to denote subjects.
 Names of subjects are different in different languages
whereas in a library we have books in many languages.
 Mathematics is called “Ganit” in Hindi-then where
should be place a book of mathematics in Hindi? :
under "G” or “M”.
Contd…
In every language there is a problem of synonyms, e.g.,
wages, salary, pay mean the same concept. Then under
which term the documents on the subject should be
filed
Names keep changing. For example Economics was
once called Political Economy. Education Ministry is
now called Ministry of Human Resources Development.
Sri Lanka was once called Ceylon. 
If names are used for arrangement of documents then
there would be many problems. The subjects will get
scattered
Contd…
e.g. Mathematics will come under “M”, whereas
Algebra will go to Geometry to “G” and Trigonometry
to “T”. A family will thus get dispersed.
Contd….
 Therefore, to preserve the sequence of subjects and
their subdivisions a series of ordinal symbols are
assigned to the concepts and terms. For example, in
botany the arrangement of various parts of plants
decided in the idea plane is
Plant I
Root I,3
Stem I,4
Leaf I,5
Contd…
The above arrangement is according to the principle of
spatial contiguity – we proceed part by part from
bottom to top. This sequence also match up with the
principle of “Later in Time”).
We have assigned a number to each subdivision to
preserve their arrangement and use it mechanically at
some later time.
 These symbols-complex, called class numbers, are
not only short but will also help to shelve or arrange
document at proper places.
These class numbered documents can be taken out,
read and placed again at their proper places without
any difficulty.
Notation offers a self evident order. Obviously, it is
much easier to use these shorthand symbols for
arranging documents than to use the names of
subjects
Other Uses
It is an essential component of library classification.
 It is the address of the document in the library and
assures efficient working of the library catalogue.
 Apart from mechanizing the arrangement of
documents on the shelves it arranges entries in
classified catalogues and shelf lists.
Contd…
 Shows relations of subjects in the over all scheme of
the mapping of knowledge. Helps in the synthesis of
compound and complex subjects
 Makes possible the efficient use of the index. In the
index it is the reference point.
It is an essential for Chain Indexing. It may be
essential for arrangement of circulation record in a
library
Contd…
 In brief it is the engine of the library classification.
Notation is so essential to classification that W.H.
Philips defines
 “if classification is foundation study of librarianship,
then notation is the basis of practical book
classification.”
Kinds of Notation
Two kinds of notations are there:

1. Pure Notation

2. Mixed Notation
Pure Notation
It is the notational system which uses one and only
one set of symbols, they may be (0-9) or (A-Z) or any
other set of symbols which must be preferably
universally known.
It is a notational system in which no class number
contains more than one species of digits.
Ex: 365 HOG ape
Advantages

As these numerals are universally well known, they are

internationally acceptable
It creates no difficulty in conveying the order clearly
They are relatively simple to write, type, read or
pronounce.
Mixed Notation
A notational system in which a class number may have
two or more species of digits. In other words it is a
notational system which uses more than one set of
symbols.
Ex: N44,J8:6 P35:41
Advantages
Because of the large base the class numbers can be
short
As it gives rise to polylithic class numbers it is easy to
read, remember and note/write
The capacity of the notational system is considerably
more compared to pure notation
Contd…
However, the trend is to use mixed notation in the
modern schemes of classification.
Qualities of Notation
Simplicity
Brevity
Synthesis
Mnemonic value
Hospitality
 simplicity
The Notation should be simple which means it should

be easy to say, read, write or type and also remember.

Since Notation is written in several places, such as,

catalogue entries, various parts of the document, entries

in bibliographies, stock records, shelf list cards, etc., we
must be able to write or type the number with ease.
Contd….
Use of unpopular and complicated symbols is not

desirable as it will be difficult to read, write and

remember those symbols.

 Further, polylithic multipart numbers or numbers with

spacing is preferable as they facilitate ease of reading.

 Brevity

Brevity stands for briefness. The notation should be

brief. In other words, it should be as short as possible.
A brief notation helps the users to grasp it easily and
the library staff to enter it in various records with
speed and economy. The briefness of the notation
depends on two factors:
1. the base of notation
2. the allocation of the symbols.
 Contd…
For instance, compared to Indo-Arabic numerals the
base of Roman alphabets A-Z is large and a mixed base
of Indo-Arabic numerals, Roman caps and smalls is
further more large. The larger the base shorter the
notation. This is evident from the class numbers in
DDC and CC. For example,
Subject/Class DDC CC
581 Botany I
581.03 Encyclopaedia of Botany Ik
 synthesis
Synthesis means the fusion, combination or mixture.
It facilitates number building by taking the
components from different parts of the schedule.
 Mnemonic Value
One of the important features is that a notation
should possess memory value. This can be ensured by
using certain symbols to represent the specified topics
throughout the schedules.
For example in DDC Standard Subdivisions
01,03,05,09 etc., stand for Philosophy and Theory,
Encyclopaedia/Dictionary, Periodicals, historical and
geographical treatment respectively throughout the
schedules.
 Contd..
Ranganathan incorporated four kinds of mnemonics
in colon classification. They are
1.Alphabetical Mnemonics
2. Scheduled Mnemonics
3. Systematic Mnemonics
4. Seminal Mnemonics
These are very helpful in increasing the memory of the
both the classifiers and the users.
 Hospitality
Hospitality is the most essential, rather vital, quality
of any notational system. It is the ability of notation to
accommodate new subjects at their proper places
without disturbing the existing sequence.
Non-technically, it is also known as flexibility or
resilience of classification. It is essential as knowledge
is simultaneously growing exponentially in multiple
directions.
Contd…
 Therefore, any living and practical classification must
have the capacity to give place to the new subjects at
their proper places.
That is why library classifications are revised from
time to time to include new subjects at their natural
places.
For example, the DDC (1876) of 42 pages has grown
gradually to more than 4070 pages in the DDC23(2011)
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