The Henry Moore Institute library classifies all publications on artists in
an A-Z sequence, using the first three letters of the artist's name. These
three letters are followed by the date of publication, if known. So the
classification for a book on Jacob Epstein published in 1987 would be 'EPS
1987' and all books on Epstein are filed chronologically. Library users
find it very easy to use and appreciate the simplicity. Although a
catalogue is available, most users don't use it but go straight to the
shelves.
For multiple artists with the same, or similar name it would be useful to
use four letters rather than three, but otherwise I can't fault the system.
The library also has a DDC sequence which I'm not so happy with, for the
reasons you state below when referring to UDC.
Hope this helps.
Denise Raine
Librarian
Henry Moore Institute
74 The Headrow
Leeds LS1 3AH
Tel 0113 246 9469
[log in to unmask]
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Kerry Watson [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: 25 January 2001 16:40
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject:
>
>
> Hello all,
>
> I'm currently on placement at Glasgow School of Art Library,
> where I've been
> given the job of following up on initial research into what would be
> involved in reclassifying the stock.
>
> The main concerns here centre around the methodology involved in the
> changeover from UDC (the current class scheme, adapted for
> the particular
> requirements of this library) to DDC21, the issues
> surrounding disability
> access (with regard to dyslexia and visual impairments) and the
> practicalities involved in such a project. Generally UDC is
> considered to
> be over complicated and difficult to use intuitively - the purpose of
> reclassifying is to simplify use of the library for both
> staff and users.
>
> Any comments, contacts, experience of similar projects would
> be welcome -
> although I think Sarah Currier, who wrote the initial report
> in October of
> last year, may have sent out a similar message then.
>
> On a less general note, we've been discussing the possibility
> of a single
> A-Z monograph sequence - the main idea being to simplify
> classification as
> far as possible - does anyone have any experience/opinions on
> the subject?
> Another point to note is that we lack a subject index, which may cause
> problems...
>
> I'm here for another three to four weeks - any input is welcome!
>
> Thank you very much,
>
> Ms. Kerry Watson
> Glasgow School of Art Library
> 167 Renfrew Street
> Glasgow G3 6RQ
> Scotland, UK
> Email: [log in to unmask]
> ______________________________________________________________
> ___________
> Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at
http://www.hotmail.com.
|