Notation

Definition of “Notation”

Notation is a term that is used in the classification schedule. A notation is a series of symbols, which is used to representing 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.”

·        A book notation is a series of symbols which 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 important addition to a classification scheduled; 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, a book arrangement which represents the order of the schedules.

·        A notation then 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 consist of any symbols, letters, figures, or arbitrary signs to represent terms. There are two types of notation:

1.     Pure Notation

2.     Mixed Notation

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

For example:

 020 stands for Library & Information Science,

510 stands for Mathematics, etc.

• Mixed Notation: Mixed notation consist of two or more type of notation. It is a mixture of letter and number, i.e. Arabic numeral and Roman letter (0-9) + (A-Z). it found in UDC, LC, CC, BC & SC scheme.

For example:

LCq- Science

QC- Physic

QC1- Periodicals.

Function of “Notation” in library classification:

• Stands  in place of terms used in the scheme of classification, so that whenever the term is to be represented it may be represented by a classmark only.

For example:

The terms Mathematics, Chemistry, & Physics are referred to by the notation (In DDC) 510, 530and 540 respectively

Shows the sequence of schedules and subordination of subjects. That means it not only stands in place of terms but also acts as a guide to locate the position of them in the schedules.
For example:
Let,s take some terms used in DDC.  The terms Mathematics, Astronomy, and Physics do not convey  any one of there places in the schedules, but anyone can easily understand when we say:

510- Mathematics.

520- Astronomy.

530- physics.

Search to connect alphabetical order or index with the systematic order of schedules. That means consulting the number attached to the index entry, one can easily find out the place of the subject in the classification schedules.

search to connect the catalog with the shelves. The symbol written in the spine of the book is also written on the cards of the individual's books, hence by consulting the catalog one can find out the exact location of a book or books on the shelves.

Maintenance systematic order on the shelves. The arrangement of books on the shelves should follow the systematic order shown on the classification scheme.

i.e. main class past, then division, sub-division and so on.

a.Notation assist in the efficient guiding of a library.

b.Its mnemonic qualities helps a Librarian to remember the sequence of division within a class.

c.It helps to insert new topics in classification without changing the classification number.

d.It helps to divide a broader subject into various smaller divisions and then to arrange them in a convenient form.

e.It is obvious from the use made of a notation that the symbols

• Notation should reflect order: The Notation must indicate the order that means the symbols used to represent the topic should indicate the position of that topic in the hierarchy of its main class or division.
• should be assembled as fetchable: The simplicity of notation depends on the length of notation and on the type of symbol use. The mixed notation may be slightly more complex than a pure notation of equal length.
• Notation should be as brief as fetchable: The notation required to be written on many records, such as the spine of the book and the catalog cards. Therefore the briefness in notation is desirable.
• Notation should have flexibility: The qualification of good notation is that it should be able to accommodate new topics. That means a notation must have prevision for insertion of a new topics into its relevant place in the schedules.
• Notation should use the synthetic information: The flexibility of notation is impracticable without synthesis in notation and synthesis is a fetcher that all schemes use to a leaser or greater.
• Hospitality: 
• this most important quality without which the ‘Notation’ valueless for the purpose of an efficient library classification is its hospitality. Since knowledge is dynamic and new subjects are constantly bring created, schedules must be able to accommodate new concepts in the correct place. so notation must be able to accommodate insertion at any point where it will be necessary.
• Mnemonic: By ‘Mnemonic’ we mean a notation which has always the same significance whenever it appears in the classification. Mnemonic in notation are aids to memory.

Usefulness of Notation:

• A 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. Summarizing its usefulness, a notation:

• Stands instead of the terms of classification. It is a constant sign or symbol by which we refer to those terms.

• Is a guide to the sequence of the tables and “places” a term in the hierarchy of the schedules. The bare names of the subjects give no indication of the relative place of those subjects in the schedules, e.g. the term “Psychology” conveys no clue to its place in, say the schedules of the Decimal classification, but the symbol 150 definitely does – the fifth division of class 100. this is important.

• Makes possible the use of the index. the symbol attached to the index entry is the only means of quick reference to the place of the topic in the schedules.

• Can be used as a short sign to be written in various parts of the book-on the spine, back of title page, label, charging cards, etc.- to facilitate the arrangement books on the shelves, the recording of issues and other statistical information.

• Assures clear and efficient working of catalogs by referring readers quickly from the entries of the books.

• Facilitates the use of mnemonics.

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