LIS Notes for Copmpetitive Examination - 29:Mnemonics Devices in Library Classification

 

In library classification, the mnemonics means the power of adding the memory that means some of its notational symbols have more or less the same significance through out the classification schedule. Colon classification scheme is best example of mnemonics. Dr. S R Ranganathan has used four types of mnemonics in colon classification.

(a) verbal mnemonics

(b) schedule mnemonics

(c) seminal mnemonics

(d) systematic mnemonics

Verbal mnemonics

Verbal mnemonics is the letter for notational symbol for a class and subclass. So the verbal mnemonics consist in representing a class by first or more letter generally maximum three letters in the name. First letter should be English capital and after may be small but only alphabet are used. For example

(According to Colon Classification 6.0)

Basmati Rice J381 B

Begmi Rice J381 Be

Scheduled mnemonics 

 

Scheduled mnemonics can be defined a systemic list of divisions, tables or parts of schedules. According to Dr. Ranganathan , “a scheme of classification should include a preliminary set of schedules of isolate likely to occur in any array of some order or other of all or several classes or it should refer any recurrent sets of isolates to the one schedule of them given in connection with an appropriate basic class”.

Scheduled mnemonics consists following devices

(1) Common isolate Device

(2) Geographical Device

(3) Chronological Device

(4) Subject Device

(5) Facet Device

(6) Phase Device

Examples:

Encyclopedia of social science SZk

Flora of India I:12.44

Fauna of India K:12.44

Anatomy of neck L17:2

Anatomy of eye L184:2

Seminal mnemonics

Seminal mnemonics means specified digit should be seminally equivalent to entire schedule that means the same concepts is represented by the same term and also same number in entire schedule, if any conflict occurs, then we simply say that particular classification schedule ignore this concept. In colon classification entire schedule divide into seminal mnemonics such as

Number Meaning

1 Fundamentals, preliminary, persons

2 Structure, parts, forms, constitute

3 Function, syntax, method analysis

4 Fault, disease, pathology

5 Liquid, blood, environment

6 Money, finance, evolution, movement

7 Personality, composition, growth, produce

8 Management, organization

Systematic mnemonics

Systematic mnemonics represent the sequence of isolate in array that means the schedule arrange according to some rules such as later-in-time, arrangement of isolates according any principles. Colon classification gives well defined systematic mnemonics such as in Medicine Main Class(L) the class number arranged according to human body structure from upper parts to lower. Space schedule arranged according to most nearest to far distance. Similarly we can also examine the main class Psychology(S), the personality facet [p] are arranged according to growth such as new born, toddler, boy, middle age and old age.

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