025.431: The Dewey blog

EPC Meeting 129

The Decimal Classification Editorial Policy Committee (EPC)* met at OCLC May 7-9, 2008. EPC approved several adjustments to the proposed overhaul of the treatment of groups of people (including a separate number for intersex people based on feedback from users) plus the implementation plan for the changes. The current plan is to post draft versions of Table 1 and 305-306 on the Dewey web site in August 2008 (with links from the Dewey blog). We will request comments on the content and implementation plan by October 30, 2008—this will permit discussion of user comments at EPC Meeting 130 in November 2008. It is our intention to introduce the changes to the treatment of groups of people throughout the DDC by second quarter calendar year 2009 in WebDewey and Abridged WebDewey. We plan to make final PDFs of Table 1 and 305-306 available on the Dewey web site at the same time the changes are implemented in the web versions of the DDC. The changes introduced in the web versions of the DDC will also appear in the print version of DDC 23 (scheduled to be published in late calendar year 2010).

In addition to the changes to groups of people in Table 1, EPC approved two changes to T1—079 Competition, awards, financial support: clarification of the add instruction from Table 2, and the relocation of festivals from T1—079 to T1—074 Museums, collections, exhibits. Watch this space for more information on these changes. EPC also approved several changes in Table 2 (Geographic Areas, Historical Periods, Persons) for Belgium, South Africa, Sweden, and Clifton Forge, Va. (the last reflects a rare change within administrative units in the U.S.).  In Table 3 (Subdivisions for the Arts, for Individual Literatures, for Specific Literary Forms), EPC approved new provisions for autobiographical fiction, biographical fiction, and alternative histories.  In Table 6 (Languages), EPC approved updates to Indonesian languages and Galician, plus several miscellaneous updates. Similar changes were made to parallel notation in Table 5 (Ethnic and National Groups).

In the schedules, EPC approved updates in the following areas: 004-006 Computer science, 025.4 Subject analysis and control, 160 Logic, 320 Political science, 364.16 Offenses against property, 398.2 Folk literature, 400 Language, 510 Mathematics, 560-590 Life sciences, 610 Medicine and health, 700 The arts, 800 Literature, and 900 History, geography, and auxiliary disciplines. EPC also reviewed reports on work under way in 200 Religion, 340 Law, and 370 Education. The changes in 364.16, along with other updates to the treatment of criminal offenses, will be the focus of the June New and Changed Entries. We will discuss the proposed updates and open issues in several of the aforementioned schedules in the coming weeks in the Dewey blog—stay tuned.

EPC reviewed several research initiatives from the OCLC Office of Research and the Dewey editorial team. Diane Vizine-Goetz presented current work on a prototype classification web service and pilot terminology services. Dewey editorial team members presented progress reports on several current research projects: machine-assisted derivation of the abridged edition, mixed translation models, identification of the relationship of Relative Index terms to Dewey classes, and improvements to Dewey captions. The team also briefed EPC on our new editorial support system, recent changes to the representation of the DDC in MARC21 formats, and a proposed new approach to the display of relocations and discontinuations in DDC class records. Further, the team gave EPC a progress report on the development of DDC training materials being posted online. There was also a lively discussion on how we might facilitate development and sharing of “Dewey neighborhoods” by Dewey users (see the innovative presentation by the Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library at the March 2008 Public Library Association (PLA) Conference).

EPC will hold a follow-up electronic meeting (Meeting 129A) during June 2008 to resolve some minor open issues from Meeting 129. The group will meet next in person at the Library of Congress in November 2008.

*Photo at top of EPC at OCLC on May 8, 2008—standing from left to right: Lyn McKinney (Billings [MT] Senior High School), Sandra Singh (Vancouver [BC] Public Library), David Farris (Library and Archives Canada), Welna van Eeden (University of South Africa), Andrea Kappler (Evansville Vanderburgh [IN] Public Library) and EPC Chair Caroline Kent (British Library). Seated from left to right: Arlene Taylor (University of Pittsburgh SIS, retired), Vice Chair Anne Robertson (Australian Committee on Cataloguing), and Deborah Rose-Lefmann (Northwestern University).

Dewey Crossword Puzzle #1—Answers

A blog entry posted last week gave clues for a crossword puzzle composed of DDC numbers (but minus decimal points).  Did anyone actually do the puzzle? Too hard? Too easy? Want more? Let us hear from you.

The clues are repeated below, with the intended DDC notation for each clue given in square brackets; the relationship between the clue and the notation is also given. Built numbers are explained further below.

ACROSS
1 Superconductivity [621.35; caption]
2 General classification schemes [025.43; caption: General classification systems]
3 Sami [494.55; Relative Index: Sami language; built number]
4 Initiation of business enterprises devoted to literature [806.81; built number]
5 Crossword puzzles (abridged) [793.73; Including . . . crossword puzzles . . .]

DOWN
1 People with physical disabilities in technology [604.87; built number]
2 Geography, history, chronology, persons in the Apocrypha [229.09; built number]
3 Dreams [154.63; caption]
4 Criminal law of  Venezuela [345.87; built number]
5 Mechanical wave theory [535.13; caption]

494.55 Sami is built from 494 Uralic languages plus 55 from T6—9455 Sami, following the instructions at 494. 

806.81 Initiation of business enterprises devoted to literature is built from 8 Literature (i.e., 800, minus its final placeholder zeros, which disappear when further notation is added) plus T1—0681 Organization and financial management (“including . . . initiation of business enterprises”).

604.87 People with physical disabilities in technology is built from 604.8 History and description with respect to kinds of persons, a displaced standard subdivision T1—08 (displaced from 608, as indicated by the note “Do not use for history and description of technology with respect to kinds of persons; class in 604.8”), plus 7 from T1—087 Persons with disabilities and illnesses (“Class here persons with physical disabilities”), following the instructions at 604.8.

229.09 Geography, history, chronology, persons in the Apocrypha is built from 229 Apocrypha, pseudepigrapha, intertestamental works plus 09 Geography, history, chronology, persons from the add table under 221-229 Specific parts of Bible, Apocrypha, pseudepigrapha, intertestamental works, as instructed at 229, where the instruction is given that subdivisions can be added for Apocrypha alone.    

345.87 Criminal law of Venezuela  is built from 345 Criminal law plus T2—87 Venezuela, following the instructions at 345.3–345.9 Specific jurisdictions and areas.

 

What would Freud think?, or, For the puzzle junkies among you

The night life of a Dewey editor has its moments. From time to time I have awakened to the realization that I had been dreaming a blog, or Weekly List (LCSH-to-DDC) mappings, or an expansion.  (In my first week or two here, I dreamed I had been asked to work on developing a standard subdivision for things! Joan’s comment, after a pause that perhaps masked concern that I might actually think that possible, was simply, “Massive dual provision.”  Duh.) A few days ago I awakened and realized I had been dreaming Dewey in the context of doing a crossword puzzle. After a few seconds’ amusement, I thought, “Why not?” So, draw yourself a five-by-five grid, and have fun!    Answers and explanations will be posted next week.

Unless indicated otherwise, numbers come from DDC 22. Decimal points are omitted from all numbers; all numbers are five digits. And just to keep things a little more interesting, one number is drawn from each of the main classes, except one (since 1 down and 1 across necessarily come from the same main class).

ACROSS
1 Superconductivity
2 General classification schemes
3 Sami
4 Initiation of business enterprises devoted to literature
5 Crossword puzzles (abridged)

DOWN
1 People with physical disabilities in technology
2 Geography, history, chronology, persons in the Apocrypha
3 Dreams
4 Criminal law of Venezuela
5 Mechanical wave theory

EPC Meeting 128

A few weeks ago, we shared a brief report on Meeting 128 of the Decimal Classification Editorial Policy Committee (EPC) with a promise of more information to come on committee actions and departing members.

Among key actions at Meeting 128, the committee approved a complete overhaul of the treatment of groups of people in Dewey—a project that has been under discussion since late 2005.  We’ve blogged about some of these changes earlier (see here for transgendered people, and here and here for groups of people in general).  Comments received from outside reviewers spurred us to make some adjustments to our proposed development for transgendered and intersex people—we expect to post a revised version for comment in the next few weeks (watch this space). 

In addition to the updates discussed in our earlier report on Meeting 128, EPC approved updates to 004–006 Computer science; 010–090 Information and general works; 100 Philosophy, parapsychology and occultism, psychology; 320 Political science; 380 Commerce, communications, transportation; 390 Customs and etiquette (except folklore); 500–509 Natural sciences; 520–550 Astronomy, physics, chemistry, earth sciences; 600–609 Technology (Applied sciences); 610 Medicine and health; 630 Agriculture and related technologies; 780 Music; 790 Recreational and performing arts; and 800 Literature and rhetoric.  EPC suggested that we seek user feedback on the proposed new expansion for Trans-Neptunian objects (and relocation of Pluto)—we plan to post the proposed development for comment next week (again, watch this space).  Dewey users can expect to see many of the updates approved for immediate release by EPC included in WebDewey over the next year (and selected updates highlighted on the New and Changed Entries page on the Dewey web site).

EPC also feted four members leaving the committee at the end of 2007 (pictured from left to right): Migell Acosta (County of Los Angeles Public Library); Andrea Stamm (Northwestern University), Chew Chiat Naun (University of Minnesota, and formerly of University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign), and Deane Zeeman (Library and Archives Canada).

Migell Acosta ably served as the official ALA representative to EPC during 2007.  The committee’s resolution honoring Migell reads in part:

Whereas, Migell Acosta . . . offered sound advice on emerging technical issues; . . . asked probing questions and contributed to discussions in matters as diverse as political parties, use of the UDC as a possible source of vocabulary, DDC licensing, DDC training, and the treatment of murder; . . . drafted the Committee’s response on the representation of evolving trends in marriage and family; . . .

Andrea Stamm served on EPC 1993–2007, including multiple terms as vice-chair (1996–1999) and chair (2000–2005).  The committee’s resolution honoring Andrea (excerpted in part here) notes some of the many contributions she made to EPC and the DDC during her long tenure (fittingly, it ends with Andrea’s constant focus on users):

Whereas, Andrea Stamm . . . is the only current member of EPC to have participated in two retreats on the future of the DDC in 1997 and 2004, respectively; . . . presented the response paper to “Future of the Relative Index” . . . at the EPC Retreat in Saratoga Springs, April 30 – May 4, 1997; . . . served on the planning committee for the March 15–18, 2004, EPC Retreat, . . . and presented “Editions and Translations in the DDC”; . . . presented “How Users Contribute to the Classification” at the DDC 22 Preconference in Toronto in June 2003, and teamed up with the Dewey editors to present hands on training at said meeting; . . . challenged the editors to make the Manual notes telegraphic to support classifier efficiency; . . . steered the revision of the EPC bylaws through the committee; . . . developed the EPC ground rules for teleconferences (and chaired a record five teleconferences in 2003!); . . . pioneered New Member Training as a way to introduce new members to the committee in advance of voting at an actual meeting; . . . recommended the addition of translators to EPC-L [the private EPC listserve]; . . . always focused on the users of the DDC in her comments . . .

Chew Chiat Naun served on EPC 2004–2007.  The committee's resolution honoring Naun reads in part:

Whereas, Chew Chiat Naun . . . raised key questions about testing schedules at Meeting 122: “What do we mean by testing? . . . Is it easy to apply? or, Does it give a good arrangement?”; . . . gave key advice on the split of materials in the development for graphic novels at Meeting 124: “Just because it’s hard to make the decision doesn’t mean we shouldn’t make the decision that every bookshop seems to do”; . . . while Naun's membership on the committee was as an American Library Association nominee, his leaving has also had the unexpected effect of reducing the Australian influence on the committee's work, since he is indeed one of the many Australians to be found quietly living and working in unexpected places far from home . . .

Deane Zeeman also served on EPC 2004–2007, and succeeded Andrea Stamm as chair 2006–2007.  The committee’s resolution honoring Deane reads in part:

Whereas, Deane Zeeman . . . perfected the art of conducting electronic meetings over EPC-L; . . . asked at regular intervals at meetings . . . “What principle is being followed here?”; . . . though not the first Canadian chair, was the first chair to share leadership with a fellow member of the Commonwealth . . .

All four resolutions end with the following sentiment:

Be it resolved that the members of the Decimal Classification Editorial Policy Committee, the DDC editors, and staff at the Library of Congress Decimal Classification Division and OCLC express to [outgoing member] their deep gratitude and appreciation for [her/his] service and commitment to the Committee and the Classification, their regret that [she/he] will no longer be one of their number, and their wishes for [her/his] continued success and happiness now that [she/he] has retired from the Committee.

Going Meta, Self-Referentially

Yesterday we examined the abstraction sense of meta- (as exemplified by metaethics, metamathematics, metalanguage, and meta-analysis). In modern times, meta- is more commonly used with a self-referential sense. I’m afraid I used to torture students by asking if they could apply entity-relationship modeling to itself, an example of metamodeling. (In case you’re interested: Entities in entity-relationship modeling: entities, relationships, and attributes.  Relationships:  Entities can have attributes; relationships can have attributes; entities can participate in relationships. Attributes:  too numerous to mention.) Works on metamodeling of this sort (if such exist) would class with the kind of modeling, e.g., entity-relationship modeling—as a kind of data modeling—005.74 Data files and databases. Another example of self-referential meta- is metacognition, thinking about cognition (both in general, but especially with reference to one’s own thoughts). Interdisciplinary works on metacognition are classed in 153 Conscious mental processes and intelligence, while works on metacognition applied in a specific field are classed with the field, e.g., comprehensive works on metacognition in education 370.152 Conscious mental processes and intelligence, under 370.15 Educational psychology.

In the bibliographic world (taken in its broad sense), there are many examples of the self-referential. Metafiction, for example, is fiction self-conscious of its status as fiction. Metafictive devices include a work of fiction within another work of fiction (e.g., a play within a play) or someone’s reading or writing a novel as part of a novel’s plot. General works on metafiction are classed in 808.3 Rhetoric of fiction, while works on the metafiction of an individual author would be classed in the same number as the author’s fictional works. (Metadata, data about data, has been discussed previously.)

Other examples of bibliographic self-reference eschew the meta- label. There are books about books, the journalistic treatment of journalism, the issue of the authorized form of entry for vocabulary control, none of which have attracted a name. Another self-referential issue is how bibliographic classification is treated within a bibliographic classification scheme. For example, where is the DDC in the DDC? The answer is 025.431 Dewey Decimal Classification, in a list of general classification schemes, within 025.4 Subject analysis, within 025 Operations of libraries, archives, information centers.  The number covers the classification scheme itself (in its print, web, and XML representations), as well as works about the DDC.

And in case you aren’t familiar with it, this is also a good time to point out the possibility of using the DeweyBrowser to access information from the abridged version of the DDC. For example, the DDC can be found by drilling down through 0 Computer science, information & general works, 02 Library and information sciences, 025 Library operations, and then clicking on 025.4 Subject analysis and control, which leads to a list of index terms, including Dewey Decimal Classification.

Going Meta

Ever try to learn a new language? Then chances are good it was hard to master its prepositions, because most of them have more than a single meaning. Further, their use often seems idiosyncratic—but in ways different from the idiosyncrasies of prepositions in your native language!

Such is the case with the Greek preposition, meta-, which retains the core of its various meanings when used as an English language prefix. Among its senses are:

• after / behind (for example, the title of Aristotle’s Metaphysica is taken from its traditional position in his writings after Physica);
•  change (as in metabolism, metamorphosis, metaphor); and
• more comprehensive / transcending (as in meta-analysis).

This latter sense gives us a version of “going meta” in which discussion / consideration is taken to a more abstract level. For example, metaethics addresses the meaning of the terms used in making moral judgments, the nature of moral judgments, and the basis for moral judgments. Works on metaethics are classed in 170.42 Metaethics (built with 17 Ethics plus notation T1–04 Special topics plus 2, as set forth in the schedule; the atypical notation T1–04 can be used only when specifically set forth in the schedule, as here).  In a similar way, metamathematics is concerned with the foundation of mathematics, especially with such elements as formulas, equations, and proofs. Works on metamathematics are classed in 510.1 Philosophy and theory of mathematics, where metamathematics resides in an including note (built with 51 Mathematics plus notation T1–01 Philosophy and theory). Works on metalanguage—language used to talk about or describe language—are classed at 410.1 Philosophy and theory of linguistics (built likewise with 41 Linguistics plus notation T1–01 Philosophy and theory).

The preceding examples might lead us to assume that “going meta” in the abstraction sense is all philosophical and perhaps not so very practical. But meta-analysis, by which the results of a set of smaller research studies are synthesized to yield big-picture results, proves otherwise. Works on meta-analysis applied to medical research are classed in 610.72 Research; statistical methods in medicine and health (built with 61 Medicine and health plus notation T1–072 Research; statistical methods). Works on meta-analysis applied to other disciplines would receive similar treatment within the classes for their respective disciplines.

The overall pattern is clear: Meta-topics that involve abstraction generally are built by adding a standard subdivision to the base number for the topic, often a discipline.

Editorial Policy Committee meetings, May 2007

Report from the DDC EPC Chair, Deane Zeeman

The 127th meeting of the Dewey Decimal Classification Editorial Policy Committee (pictured left) was held at the OCLC Campus in  Dublin, Ohio, on May 9-11.  Among the first items of business was the introduction of two new members of the Dewey family, Rebecca Green (assistant editor) and Michael Panzer (global product manager of taxonomy services), who bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the editorial team. Initial discussions focused on proposed enhancements to the MARC 21 formats to facilitate their use with the DDC. The Committee’s insights helped the editorial team to clarify the proposal, which is being developed jointly with the Library of Congress and the Deutsche Nationalbibliothek (DNB). Assistant editor Juli Beall will be discussing the proposal with the DNB in connection with her participation at an international workshop on MARC 21 in Frankfurt later this month.

This intense discussion set the stage for a challenging two and a half days. In addition to such technical topics as the MARBI proposal and functional specifications for a new DDC editorial system, we spent considerable time wrestling with how to improve the Classification from 004-006 Computer science, 010-090 Information and general works, and 150 Psychology to 930-990 History by way of 641.22 and 663.2 Wine, miscellaneous topics in 620, Table 1—08 (Groups of people), and Table 3C (Themes in art and literature). Updates to records associated with many of these topics (and some new numbers) will be released to users over the next several months.

One of the highlights of Day 2 was the proposed expansion of the “Wars” entry in the Manual, written by assistant editor Winton Matthews. The quality of the research and of the writing of this exhibit prompted the Committee to recommend that a possible avenue for separate publication be explored.

Most of this feverish intellectual activity was undertaken without the guidance of our Fearless Leader, Joan Mitchell, editor-in-chief of the Classification. Joan was unfortunately taken ill and unable to take her usual place at the EPC helm. (She is recovering at home.) It was inspiring to experience the commitment of the editors, the rest of the Dewey team (product manager Libbie Crawford, pictured left) and Committee members, who demonstrated a dedicated professionalism and worked through the agenda in less than ideal circumstances. I honor and thank them all.   

Volunteerism

As has been true since 1974, this week has been designated as National Volunteer Week in the United States.  Nor is the United States alone in promoting volunteerism.  Countries around the world are involved each year in International Volunteer Day, as December 5 has been designated by the United Nations. 

Like true volunteerism, where the volunteer is both everywhere present, but nowhere prominent, volunteerism as a subject is in various places in the DDC, but almost always shares the limelight with other subjects.  The interdisciplinary number for volunteerism is 361.37 Volunteer social work, which emphasizes that volunteerism typically involves people helping people.  Volunteerism is found in 141 Idealism and related systems and doctrines and 302.14 Social participation; in both of these cases, volunteerism is in standing room with other subjects.  Volunteerism is also found in 371.14124 Teacher aides, which includes both aides who are volunteers and aides who are paid.  Besides the interdisciplinary 361.37 Volunteer social work, the only number that focuses on volunteerism is 352.78 Sponsorship of volunteers and public service activities, which focuses not on the volunteer himself or herself, but on the sponsor, typically an organization.  It should be noted that volunteerism is found in the Relative Index under (the noun) Voluntarism and (the adjective) Volunteer.

An observance celebrating a specific topic is classed with the topic. Thus, National Volunteer Week and International Volunteer Day are both classed in the interdisciplinary number for volunteerism, 361.37 Volunteer social work.

First blog from the new kid on the block

Friday Joan stuck her head in my cubicle to ask if we could meet later--just touching base after my first four weeks.  Four weeks?  Already?  How time (115) flies when you're having fun (658.314)! 

We noted in our chat that I had yet to submit my first blog entry.  I introspected:  What had held me back?  Blogger's block (808.0019)?  Just following the lead of Johannes Brahms, who agonized for years before publishing his first symphony (784.2184)?  So immersed in all the other editorial duties that it was just off my radar (621.3848)? 

Does it matter why?  As in "real life," whatever the problem, the best solution is often:   Just do what needs to be done (650.1).  So soapboxing (796.6--whoops, I mean, 808.51) aside, let the blogging (006.7, but see the discussion here) begin!

Unlikely winner

We know that readers will be expectantly awaiting the Dewey blog's review of Oscar night, but we're sorry to say that our representative had a prior engagement and couldn't attend or, indeed, even watch the ceremony on telly. In fact, he has no idea what happened and would like to keep it that way until he gets a chance to see the tapes (which may be a few days away, since he claims to have approximately 63 episodes of Cash in the attic to get through first). Still -- there can't have been any big shocks, right? Meanwhile, we are able to bring you news of the weekend's other big shindig: the awarding of the Diagram Prize for Oddest Title of the Year, which was won by Gary Leon Hill's People who don't know they're dead: How they attach themselves to unsuspecting bystanders and what to do about it (Weiser Books, 2005), in a very close contest that saw this early favorite triumph over the runner-up, Simon Milledge's Rhino horn stockpile management: Minimum standards and best practices from East and Southern Africa (TRAFFIC East/Southern Africa, 2005), by just two votes. Ancient starch research (Left Coast Press, 2006), by Robin Torrence and Huw J. Barton, took bronze. People who don't know ... is classed at 133.9 Spritualism under 130 Parapsychology and occultism. The second- and third-placed titles haven't yet made it into WorldCat, but we would suggest 333.959668 (adding the numbers following 599 in 599.668 Rhinocerotidae to base number 333.959 Specific kinds of mammals, under 333.95 Biological resources) for the former and 930.1 Archaeology for the latter.