Brian Deer Classification System facts for kids
The Brian Deer Classification System (BDC) is a special way to organize books and other materials in libraries. It's mainly used in libraries that have lots of materials about Indigenous peoples. A Canadian librarian named A. Brian Deer, who was Kahnawake Mohawk, created this system in the mid-1970s. It has been changed a bit for libraries in British Columbia and is also used by a few First Nations libraries across Canada.
How It Started and Where It's Used
Brian Deer created his classification system when he worked at the library for the Assembly of First Nations from 1974 to 1976. Instead of using common library systems, he made a new one. This new system helped organize old Indigenous research papers and materials.
Later, he worked at the library for the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs. There, he made a similar system for their collection. He then went back to Kahnawake and worked at its Cultural Centre. His system was very flexible, so he could create new ways to organize different collections.
The systems Brian Deer made were special for each library's collection. They focused on what was important to local Indigenous people at the time. For example, categories included land claims, treaty rights, and Elders' stories.
Between 1978 and 1980, the system was changed for use in British Columbia. This version became known as BDC-BC. Gene Joseph and Keltie McCall adapted it while working at the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs. Gene Joseph later changed it even more for the library at the University of British Columbia.
The Brian Deer Classification System wasn't made to be used everywhere. But it has helped many special libraries create their own ways to organize Indigenous resources.
A few Canadian libraries use different versions of the Brian Deer Classification System. One well-known library is the Xwi7xwa Library at the University of British Columbia. It uses a BDC version focused on British Columbia. The Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs Resource Centre updated its BDC-BC in 2014. They wanted to make it even more flexible and culturally fitting for organizing resources.
The Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute in Oujé-Bougoumou, Quebec, started using their own version of BDC when they opened in 2012.
In 2020, the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council in Prince George, British Columbia, changed their library system. They switched from the Dewey Decimal System to a version of the BDC. They even added new categories for important local topics.
How the System Is Organized
The BDC system is set up to reflect a First Nations way of seeing the world. It focuses on how people, animals, and the land are connected. Subcategories show how different First Nations are related by grouping them by their location. This is different from other systems that often group things alphabetically.
Here are some of the main categories used in the X̱wi7x̱wa Library's BDC-BC system:
- Reference Materials
- Local History
- History
- International
- Education
- Economic Development
- Housing and Community Development
- Criminal Justice System
- Constitution (Canada) and First Nations
- Self Government
- Rights and Title
- Natural Resources
- Community Resources
- Health
- World View
- Fine Arts
- Languages
- Literature
This system isn't meant to cover every topic about Indigenous peoples in North America. It's also mainly for small, special libraries. The system uses English as a common language. But it also uses Indigenous spellings and words that local library users would expect to find.
The call numbers (the codes for finding books) are short and easy to remember. This helps both library staff and visitors. Indigenous libraries often have small teams and limited money for organizing books.
One challenge with the system is that it doesn't have very strict rules for how to use it. This makes it flexible, but it can also lead to some differences in how things are organized. Because not many libraries use BDC, it can be hard to set up and keep updated.
However, Ann Doyle, the head librarian at X̱wi7x̱wa Library, says the system is very important. She believes it shows Indigenous ways of thinking and helps Indigenous library users find what they need easily.
