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Classification schemes in art libraries in the United Kingdom

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 June 2016

Sarah Currier
Sarah Currier*
Affiliation:
Centre for Digital Library Research, Andersonian Library, University of Strathclyde, 101 St. James Road, Glasgow, G4 0NS, UK
*
E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Subject access to physical or electronic resource collections can be divided into two complementary areas: searching and browsing. Searching involves the use of subject headings, indexing terms from a controlled vocabulary, or natural language keywords. Browsing, whether along a shelf or through a subject tree on the Web, requires the application of some kind of taxonomy or classification scheme. This article looks at what class schemes art libraries are using to arrange their book collections in the UK today. Based on an informal survey via the ARLIS e-mail discussion list, it appears that the Dewey Decimal Classification is not only the most commonly used class scheme, but the one most art libraries choose when they reclassify their library.

Type
Meeting Report
Information
Art Libraries Journal , Volume 27 , Issue 1 , 2002 , pp. 18 - 22
Copyright
Copyright © The Art Libraries Society 2002

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References

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