Use of DDC in web displays

[Debra Shapiro]

I agree with Jerry -- how many classification schemes do we really 
need (even though DDC and LCC aren't perfect) For his purposes, 
classifying kids' material in a public library, Dewey has a big 
advantage of being at least somewhat familiar, and its flaws, that 
others have mentioned -- western-centricness, inability to class 
cutting edge topics -- don't really matter when you consider the type 
of collection.

I am real leery of trying to invent all kinds of new class systems -- 
having worked somewhere where we tried it (the Internet Scout 
Project); the outcome of one person's complete dedication to the 
task, for about 2 years, plus input from scores of others, produced 
merely an UN-improved, no easier to use, version of LCC.

I think the more important thing to consider is suiting the class 
scheme to the collection, making it browseable and easy to use, and 
Dewey should work quite nicely for  Catskill Library System's 
KidsClick!  And how onerous is it to register with OCLC/Forest Press 
to use Dewey? -- I bet someone in Tech Services at Catskill Library 
System is already a subscriber to Dewey for Windows or WebDewey, as 
they require, and their other requirement:  "We also require that 
such display of Dewey numbers and captions reflect the latest edition 
of the DDC, and carry notice of our copyrights and trademarks." is 
not so bad either, see BUBLink's Dewey display:
http://bubl.ac.uk/link/ddc.html
for an example.

best regards
Debra

>Topic No. 4
>
>Date: Thu, 28 Dec 2000 07:06:06 -0500
>From: "Jerry Kuntz " <jkuntz at ansernet.rcls.org>
>To: <web4lib at webjunction.org>
>Subject: Re: Use of DDC in web displays
>Message-ID: <200012280706.AA307495372 at ansernet.rcls.org>
>Mime-Version: 1.0
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>
>Even though I started this thread, I'm hesitating over the idea of 
>an open source classification system. Is there a need? DDC and LC 
>classifications are symbolic, linear systems designed to shelve 
>physical objects. In the electronic environment, what's the 
>advantage of symbolic organization systems vs. subject taxonomies 
>and keyword searching? Do the benefits outweigh the learning curve 
>it takes for familiarity with the symbolic system? Would we want to 
>throw another classification system out to a public that can't 
>navigate DDC and LC without charts posted all over the library?
>Jerry Kuntz
>Ramapo Catskill Library System
>jkuntz at rcls.org
-- 
dshapiro at slis.wisc.edu
Debra Shapiro
Continuing Education Services
UW-Madison SLIS
4282 Helen C. White Hall
Madison WI 53706
608 262 9195
FAX 608 263 4849