Detailed Explanation of Book Classification in China Library Classification

Introduction to China Library Classification China Library Classification is a representative large-scale comprehensive classification compiled and published after the founding of New China. Since the fourth edition 1999, it has been renamed "China Library Classification", and the abbreviation remains unchanged. The English translation is China Library Classification, and the English abbreviation is CLC. The compilation of China Library Classification began with 197 1, and has published four editions successively, namely, the first edition published by 1975, the second edition published by 1980, the third edition published by 1990 and1. In June, 20001,the electronic version of China Library Classification (4th edition) was published. In addition, a trial version was released in 1973. Compared with other classifications in China, China Library Classification came into being late, but it developed rapidly. It not only systematically summarizes the compilation experience of China classification, but also absorbs the compilation theory and technology of foreign classification.

After the publication of the fourth edition of China Library Classification, it mainly has the following characteristics:

1. On the premise of ensuring the stability of library shelving, improve the scientificity and practicability of China Library Classification and optimize its retrieval function.

2. Under the basic premise of ensuring comprehensive classification, taking into account the needs of literature classification in professional libraries, handle the relationship between concentration and dispersion and depth of professional categories in various disciplines.

3. In the arrangement of category numbers, the principles of continuity, foresight and foresight are implemented.

4. Keep the basic attribute of China Library Classification as an enumerated classification unchanged, keep the basic categories and the basic category settings and order of China Library Classification basically unchanged, and keep the alphanumeric and hierarchical decimal marking system basically unchanged. On this premise, the structure of individual categories in Chinese Library Classification should be adjusted and improved, and new disciplines and new theme concepts should be added.

5. The fourth edition of Chinese Library Classification gives more consideration to the measures to facilitate users to change from the third edition to the fourth edition.

In a word, China Library Classification is an enumerated hierarchical system combination classification that can organize book shelving and classified retrieval. This classification is mainly used by large comprehensive libraries and intelligence agencies to classify documents, compile classified retrieval tools and organize document shelving, and can also be adjusted and used by other library and information units of different sizes and types according to their own needs.

At present, China Library Classification has been widely used in all kinds of libraries in China, and the classification number of China Library Classification is recorded in major large-scale bibliographies, retrieval publications, machine-readable databases and Chinese national standard book numbers.

China Library Classification has won many honors in its development history, and won the first prize of 1985 National Science and Technology Progress Award, as well as various versions and auxiliary reference books. The Encyclopedia of Universal Library and Intelligence Agencies, which was compiled under the sponsorship of American Library Association, was included in the "Nine World Classifications". However, China Library Classification still has many shortcomings. The development history of China Library Classification is a constantly updated and improved history from the first edition to the fourth edition, and each edition has a qualitative leap. By the fourth edition, China Library Classification has 5 categories, 22 categories and 53,838 categories (including specialized categories and general categories).

In order to thoroughly study, master and use China Library Classification, achieve a unified understanding and accurate classification, avoid differences and improve the quality of classification and indexing, the editorial board of China Library Classification has compiled corresponding user manuals after each new edition is published. Among them, the first edition and the second edition are called "Instructions for the Use of Library Classification in China", which are relatively short; The third edition was renamed as the user manual of China Library Classification and China Library Classification, and the theoretical explanation, edition introduction and relevant appendices of China Library Classification were added. The fourth edition was renamed "China Library Classification User Manual", which is more substantial than the previous editions, adding new contents such as the main points of revision and indexing of machine-readable data.

This manual is an authoritative explanation of the compilation theory, structure system and usage of China Library Classification, and it is also the most important reference book for using China Library Classification. This paper not only expounds the general classification methods, but also explains the classification points of various categories in detail, and explains the classification rules and subdivision methods that are not explained by the classification itself.