Colon classification (CC) is a library catalogue system developed by Shiyali Ramamrita Ranganathan. It was an early faceted (or analytico-synthetic) classification system. The first edition of colon classification was published in 1933,[1] followed by six more editions. It is especially used in libraries in India.
Its name originates from its use of colons to separate facets into classes. Many other classification schemes, some of which are unrelated, also use colons and other punctuation to perform various functions. Originally, CC used only the colon as a separator, but since the second edition, CC has used four other punctuation symbols to identify each facet type.
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 thus form a reasonably universal sorting system.[2]
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:
This is summarized in a specific call number:
The colon classification system uses 42 main classes that are combined with other letters, numbers, and marks in a manner resembling the Library of Congress Classification.
CC uses five primary categories, or facets, to specify the sorting of a publication. Collectively, they are called PMEST:
| Indicator | Facet |
|---|---|
| , || Personality, the most specific or focal subject|-| style="text-align: center;" |; || Matter or property, the substance, properties or materials of the subject.|-| style="text-align: center;" |: | Energy, including the processes, operations and activities. |
| . || Space, which relates to the geographic location of the subject.|-| style="text-align: center;" |' || Time, which refers to the dates or seasons of the subject.|} Other symbols can be used to indicate components of facets called isolates, and to specify complex combinations or relationships between disciplines. ClassesThe 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 3 Book science B2 Algebra C Physics G Biology H Geology HX Mining I Botany J1 Horticulture J2 Feed J3 Food J4 Stimulant J5 Oil J6 Drug J7 Fabric J8 Dye L Medicine LZ3 Pharmacology LZ5 Pharmacopoeia M7 Textiles [material]:[work] Δ Spiritual experience and mysticism [religion],[entity]:[problem] ND Sculpture NN Engraving NQ Painting NR Music Q Religion S Psychology T Education V History YZ Social Work Z Law ExampleA common example of the colon classification is:
Further reading
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