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).

Travel in Antarctica

“Cruising to Otherworldly Antarctica” and “Antarctica's March of the Tourists” are stories that ran last month on National Public Radio’s Morning Edition.  They spoke about a voyage of the MS Fram, “an ice-breaking Norwegian pleasure ship” that brought tourists to Antarctica.

Works on travel in Antarctica are classed in 919.8904 Travel in Antarctica (built with base number 91 plus T2—989 Antarctica plus notation 04 Travel from the add table under 913-919 Geography of and travel in ancient world and specific continents, countries, localities in modern world; extraterrestrial worlds, as instructed at 913-919).  Notation 04 Travel has the note: “Class here discovery, exploration; guidebooks.”  Examples of works classed in 919.8904 are Antarctica (a Lonely Planet guidebook) and Antarctic Odyssey: In the Footsteps of the South Polar Explorers. 

Accounts of early exploratory trips in Antarctica are also classed in 919.8904, e.g., The South Pole: An Account of the Norwegian Antarctic Expedition in the “Fram,” 1910-1912, by Roald Amundsen, and Journals: Captain Scott's Last Expedition, by Robert Falcon Scott.  There is no way to express historical period.  At 041-049 Historical periods in the add table under 913-919, the instruction is to “add to 04 the historical period numbers following 0 that appear in subdivisions of 930-990.”  There are, however, no historical period numbers in 930-990 for Antarctica.  In the schedule at 998 Arctic islands and Antarctica, there is a footnote: “Add as instructed under 930-990; however, do not add historical periods.”

Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

During the African Studies Association's 2007 annual meeting in New York, I was privileged to visit the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture with members of the Africana Librarians Council.  Curators from all five divisions (Art and Artifacts Division; General Research and Reference Division; Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division; Moving Image and Recorded Sound Division; Photographs and Prints Division) described the riches of their collections and answered questions, with special emphasis on African studies because of the interests of the Africana librarians. 

The Schomburg Center collections are rich in materials pertaining to the African diaspora, in addition to Africa itself.  "Geographically, the Schomburg Center acquires materials from areas with substantial populations of African origin including the African continent and surrounding islands and regions of the African diaspora.  The diasporan emphasis is on the Western Hemisphere including the Caribbean, South America (notably Brazil), Central America, and North America. Resources are also collected on the major cities of Europe where large groups of immigrants from the Caribbean and Africa reside."  Disciplines covered include history, social sciences, arts, literature, religion, medicine, and the natural sciences. 

Works that focus on world history (and works that focus in a broader way on world-wide culture and civilization) of Africans and people of African descent, e.g., Reversing Sail: A History of the African Diaspora and Global Dimensions of the African Diaspora, are classed in 909.0496 World history of Africans and people of African descent (built with 909.04 History with respect to ethnic and national groups, plus T5—96 Africans and people of African descent, as instructed at 909.04).  At 909 World history is the scope note: "Civilization and events not limited by continent, country, locality."

The Schomburg Center is one of the specialized research libraries that are part of the New York Public Library (NYPL).  Works on the NYPL as a whole are classed in 027.47471 Public libraries in New York (N.Y.) (built with 027.4 Public libraries plus T2—7471 New York, as instructed at 027.43-027.49 Treatment by specific continents, countries, localities).

Works that focus only on the Schomburg Center are classed in 026.90904960097471 Libraries, archives, information centers in New York (N.Y.) devoted to history and civilization of people of African origin (built with 026 Libraries, archives, information centers devoted to specific subjects and disciplines plus 90904 History with respect to ethnic and national groups, as instructed at 026.001-026.999 Specific subjects and disciplines, plus T5—96 Africans and people of African descent, as instructed at 909.04, plus extra 0 for standard subdivision, as instructed in footnote at 909.04, plus T1—09 Geographic treatment plus T2—7471 New York).  Under 027 General libraries, archives, information centers is the reference: "For libraries, archives, information centers devoted to specific disciplines and subjects, see 026."

Hurricanes

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicted an above normal Atlantic hurricane season for 2006, but the 2006 hurricane season was near normal.  NOAA says there is a 75% chance that the 2007 season will be above normal.  Time will tell.  Meanwhile, since Hurricane Preparedness Week in May, and since the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season began June 1, there have been news stories with advice on how to prepare yourself and your family for survival in the event of a hurricane.

Comprehensive works on predicting hurricanes (e.g., Hurricane Watch: Forecasting the Deadliest Storms on Earth) are classed in 551.6452 Forecasting hurricanes (built with 551.64 Forecasting and forecasts of specific phenomena plus 52 from 551.552 Hurricanes, according to instructions under 551.641–551.647 Specific meteorological phenomena). 

Works on personal and family actions to prepare for and survive hurricanes and other disasters are classed in 613.69 Survival (e.g., Natural Disasters and Other Emergencies, What You Should Know: a Family Planning & Survival Guide and The Ultimate Storm Survival Handbook).

Mappings in WebDewey for the LCSH Hurricane Katrina, 2005, illustrate how works on a specific hurricane are classed.  The general rules for selecting the discipline for works on a specific hurricane are similar to those for other natural disasters, such as earthquakes.  We discussed these rules in the context of an earlier blog about the San Francisco earthquake.

Comprehensive works on Hurricane Katrina as a historical event are classed in 976.044 History of the south central United States, 2000–.  Works on Hurricane Katrina as a historical event that focus on New Orleans (e.g., Hurricane Katrina and the Devastation of New Orleans, 2005) are classed in 976.335064 History of New Orleans, 2000– (built with 9 [the base number for history] plus T2—76335 Orleans Parish [New Orleans], according to the instructions under 930–990 History of ancient world; of specific continents, countries, localities; of extraterrestrial worlds plus 064 from 976.3064 2000–, according to the instructions under 930–990).

Comprehensive works on social services needed because of Hurricane Katrina (e.g., Learning from Catastrophe: Quick Response Research in the Wake of Hurricane Katrina) are classed in 363.349220976090511 Social services for hurricanes in U.S. South Central States, 2000–2009 (built with 363.3492 Social services for disasters caused by weather conditions plus 2 from 551.552 Hurricanes, according to the instructions under 363.34922–363.34926 Specific kinds of storms, plus T1—09 Geographic treatment plus T2—76 South central United States    Gulf Coast states plus 09 Historical treatment from the add table under T1—093–T1—099 Treatment by specific continents, countries, localities; extraterrestrial worlds plus 0511 from T1—090511 2000–2009, according to the instructions under T1—093–T1—099). 

Comprehensive works on meteorological aspects of Hurricane Katrina are classed in 551.5520916364090511 Hurricanes, Gulf of Mexico, 2000–2009 (551.552 Hurricanes plus T1—09 Geographic treatment plus T2—16364 Gulf of Mexico plus 09 Historical treatment from the add table under T1—093–T1—099 Treatment by specific continents, countries, localities; extraterrestrial worlds plus 0511 from T1—090511 2000–2009, according to the instructions under T1—093–T1—099).

Shell Jewelry from 82,000 Years Ago

Archaeologists have found shell beads in a limestone cave, the Grotte des Pigeons, Taforalt, in Eastern Morocco, dated at 82,000 years old.  The twelve marine snail shells (Nassarius gibbosulus) were perforated in their centers, showed signs of being suspended or hung, and appeared to have been covered in red ochre.  The shells were dated using four different techniques.  Similar ancient shell jewelry, made from shells of the same genus of snail, has been found at sites in South Africa, Algeria, and Israel.  The shell jewelry from Israel may be 100,000 years old, but it has not been as reliably dated. 

Comprehensive works on the ancient Moroccan shell beads are classed in the interdisciplinary number for jewelry, 391.7 Jewelry.  Subdivisions for place and time cannot be added because the topic is in standing room.  Even a more general work on the history of bead jewelry, like The History of Beads: from 30,000 B.C. to the Present, is classed in standing room in 391.7, without T1—09 Historical treatment.

Comprehensive works on the prehistory of Taforalt are classed in 939.71 Mauretania to 647, which has 930 History of ancient world in its upward hierarchy.  If the number 939.71 were not already in the schedule, it could be built with 9 (the base number for history) plus T2—3971 Mauretania, according to the instructions under 930-990 History of ancient world; of specific continents, countries, localities; of extraterrestrial worlds.  Ancient Mauretania (T2—3971) is located in a different area than modern Mauritania (T2—661). Under 964 Morocco, which has 940-990 History of modern world in its upward hierarchy, is an entry for an optional number (964.01 Ancient history to 647) with a note that points to the preferred number: "(Optional number; prefer 939.71)."

Comprehensive works on the snail genus Nassarius are classed in 594.32 Prosobranchia.

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.   

Anzac Day

Today Anzac Day is commemorated in Australia and New Zealand -- though by the time this is posted, the day will already be over in those countries, due to the time difference.

Anzac Day commemorates April 25th, 1915, when Australian and New Zealand troops invaded Gallipoli -- then in the Ottoman Empire, and now in Turkey.  This was part of a plan to attack Germany from the rear, but unfortunately it was unsuccessful, because the Anzacs got stuck in unfavourable positions under fire from Ottoman troops in higher ground.  However, the day celebrates the courage of Australian and New Zealand troops during the many wars that they have taken part in, from the South African War to the present, when Australians are part of the Iraqi War.  The word "Anzac" is an acronym for "Australian and New Zealand Army Corps" -- the name of the military unit taking part in the action.

Part of the Anzac Day ceremonies around Australia are dawn services, which include a trumpeter playing the Last Post.  One of my sons, when he played cornet in a brass band, played the trumpet in such ceremonies.

The Gallipoli Campaign, which started on April 25th, 1915, is classed at 940.426 World War I: Land campaigns and battles of 1915: other areas than the western, Austro-Italian, eastern fronts.  Anzac Day is classed at 394.262 Holidays of March, April, May (and not at the number for the Gallipoli Campaign, because it commemorates other wars as well).

Life along the Ganges

Last week National Public Radio (NPR) ran a series by Philip Reeves entitled The Ganges: A Journey into India:  "India's holy Ganges River travels 1,550 miles from the Himalayas and across the plains of north India before spilling into the Bay of Bengal. A five-part series explores life along the river: its extremes of ancient and modern, rural and urban, and rich and poor."  The NPR web site has pictures from Peter Foster and Heathcliff O'Malley's Holy River, a Trip down the Ganges from the Telegraph.

The NPR series begins in Devprayag, a town with many Hindu priests and holy men, where two mountain rivers merge to form the Ganges.  Not far downriver, middle-class employees of India's largest mobile phone company, Airtel, relax with white-water rafting.  The series continues with stops in Varanasi, one of the holiest cities in Hinduism; Mokama, a poor, crime-plagued city; Calcutta (Kolkata), a city known for poverty now remaking itself into a hub for information technology; and finally Sagar Island, where the Ganges enters the Bay of Bengal, and where a poor Muslim woman searches the beach for coins tossed into the Ganges by Hindu pilgrims.

Although the NPR series is based on a trip, the emphasis is on the civilization and social conditions of the area; consequently, the work is classed in 954.1 History of Northeastern India (9 plus T2--541 Northeastern India, according to the instructions under 930-990 History of ancient world; of specific continents, countries, localities; of extraterrestrial worlds).  In Table 2, the Ganges River is named in an including note at T2--541 Northeastern India.  It has an asterisk that links to the note: "For a specific part of this jurisdiction, region, or feature, see the part and follow instructions under T2--4-9."  Comprehensive works on the Ganges are classed in T2--541, but specific parts are classed with the part, e.g., Devprayag in T2--5451 Uttaranchal (Uttarakhand), Varanasi in T2--542 Uttar Pradesh.  Mokama (T2--54123 Bihar), Calcutta (T2--54147 Calcutta), and Sagar Island (T2--5414 West Bengal) are all classed in subdivisions of the comprehensive number for the Ganges River.

April Posting

Magda Heiner-Freiling from the Deutsche Nationalbibliothek asked why the class-elsewhere note at 940.5481 Personal narratives of individuals from Allies and the see reference about celebrations at 940.5483 Military life and customs of Allies were not at the similar entries of 940.5482 Personal narratives of individuals from Axis Powers and 940.5484 Military life and customs of Axis Powers.  She is correct that the note and reference were missing.  The note and reference are now given at 940.5482 and 940.5484 in the April 2007 New and Changed Entries posting on the Dewey web site and will appear in the next release of WebDewey.  The text of the posting is available in PDF format and Word format.  Thank you, Magda, for asking the question.

Happy Birthday to Yellowstone National Park

Today, Yellowstone National Park is 135 years old. By act of Congress on March 1, 1872, Yellowstone National Park was established in the Territories of Montana and Wyoming "as a public park or pleasuring ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people" and placed "under exclusive control of the Secretary of the Interior." The founding of Yellowstone National Park began a worldwide national park movement--more than 100 nations contain some 1,200 national parks or equivalent preserves.

Yellowstone National Park has its own Table 2 notation, T2--78752. Interdisciplinary works on the park are classed at 978.752 Yellowstone National Park.