Library classification facts for kids

A library classification is a way libraries organize their books and other materials. It's like a special system that helps put everything in order based on what it's about. This makes it much easier for you to find the books you're looking for!

This idea comes from a very smart Indian librarian named Dr. S. R. Ranganathan. He had five important rules for libraries, and one of them was about making sure every book has a reader, and every reader has their book. Good organization helps make that happen!

How Libraries Organize Books

Libraries use different ways to sort their collections. These systems help them arrange books by subject, so all books on, say, dinosaurs or space travel, are grouped together. This makes it simple to browse and find what you need.

Different Ways Libraries Sort Books

There are many standard systems for organizing library materials. They can be grouped into three main types:

• Universal systems cover almost every subject you can think of. They are used in many libraries around the world.
  • The Dewey Decimal Classification is a very famous one. You've probably seen it in your school or local library. It uses numbers to group books.
  • The Universal Decimal Classification is another big system, often used in scientific and technical libraries.
  • The Library of Congress Classification is used in many academic and research libraries, especially in the United States.

• Specialized systems focus on particular subjects or types of materials.
  • Iconclass is used for classifying images and art.
  • The British Catalogue of Music Classification helps organize music scores and books about music.
  • The NLM Classification is a special system just for medical books and health information.

• National systems are created specifically for libraries in certain countries.
  • For example, Sweden has its own system called SAB (Sveriges Allmänna Biblioteksförening) for its libraries.

Images for kids

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  A library book shelf in Hong Kong arranged using the Dewey classification

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  The Moys Classification Scheme as used by the law library of the Hong Kong High Court