Colon classification (CC) is a system of library classification developed by S. R. Ranganathan. It was the first ever faceted (or analytico-synthetic) classification. The first edition was published in 1933. Since then six more editions have been published. It is especially used in libraries in India.
Contents
Its name "colon classification" comes from the use of colons to separate facets in class numbers. However, many other classification schemes, some of which are completely unrelated, also use colons and other punctuation in various functions.
In CC, facets describe "personality" (the most specific subject), matter, energy, space, and time (PMEST). These facets are generally associated with every item in a library, and so form a reasonably universal sorting system.
As an example, the subject "research in the cure of tuberculosis of lungs by x-ray conducted in India in 1950" would be categorized as:
Medicine,Lungs;Tuberculosis:Treatment;X-ray:Research.India'1950This is summarized in a specific call number:
L,45;421:6;253:f.44'N5Organization
The colon classification uses 42 main classes that are combined with other letters, numbers and marks in a manner resembling the Library of Congress Classification to sort a publication.
Facets
CC uses five primary categories, or facets, to further specify the sorting of a publication. Collectively, they are called PMEST:
, Personality, the most specific or focal subject. ; Matter or property, the substance, properties or materials of the subject. : Energy, including the processes, operations and activities. . Space, which relates to the geographic location of the subject. ' Time, which refers to the dates or seasons of the subject.Classes
The following are the main classes of CC, with some subclasses, the main method used to sort the subclass using the PMEST scheme and examples showing application of PMEST.
z Generalia 1 Universe of Knowledge 2 Library Science 3 Book science 4 Journalism B Mathematics C Physics D Engineering E Chemistry F Technology G Biology H Geology I Botany J Agriculture K Zoology L Medicine M Useful arts Δ Spiritual experience and mysticism [religion],[entity]:[problem] N Fine arts O Literature P Linguistics Q Religion R Philosophy S Psychology T Education U Geography V History W Political science X Economics Y Sociology YZ Social Work Z LawExample
A common example of the colon classification is: