Problem Classmarks
Solution to the bespoke classification scheme at the University of Sussex Library
Keywords:
reclassification, Library of Congress Classification, book move, bespoke classificationAbstract
The library of the University of Sussex uses a modified version of the Library of Congress Classification (LC) to shelf its collection in the public reading rooms. For some subjects entirely in-house schemes were designed using the same first-level class letter(s) as LC. These modifications are now problematic and neccesitated a large scale reclassification to standard LC. This article describes the methodologies and workflows employed to reclassify and merge approximately 57,500 books between 2017 and 2023.
References
Atkins, S. and Teper, J. 2008. ‘A Survey of Library Practices in Planning and Managing Temporary Moves’, Collection Management 30 (4), pp 59-84.
Cash, D. 2001. ‘Moving a Library Collection’, Public Library Quarterly, 20 (4), pp. 17-28. Available at: https://doi-org.sussex.idm.oclc.org/10.1300/J118v20n04_03 (Accessed: 18 September 2024).
Daiches, D. 1970. The Idea of a New University: An Experiment in Sussex. 2nd ed. London: André Deutsch.
Goddard, S. and Haillay, T. 2017. ‘Reclassification of University of Sussex Library Local Language and Literature Classes to Library of Congress’, Catalogue and Index, 188, pp. 21-26. Available at: https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.cilip.org.uk/resource/collection/F71F19C3-49CF-462D-8165-B07967EE07F0/catalogue_and_index_issue_188_september_2017.pdf (Accessed 18 September 2024).
Guimaraes, A. and Collins, J. 2018. ‘How to Move a Mountain: The Preparation and Transfer of One Million Volumes to an Off-site Storage Facility’, The Serials Librarian, 74 (1-4), pp. 228-233. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/0361526X.2018.1428476 (Accessed: 18 September 2024).
Horwill, C., and Peasgood, A. 2023. Email to Sean Goddard, 4 December.
Inglis, K. 2011. ‘The Library’, in Gray, F. (ed) Making the Future: a History of the University of Sussex, Brighton: University of Sussex.
Lambert, J. 2022. ‘Evidence-based Library Book Shifting’, Journal of Access Services, 19 (4), pp. 167-178. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/15367967.2023.2172416 (Accessed: 18 September 2024).
Lindsay, B. 2017. ‘Moving the New York University Abu Dhabi Library’, Collection Management, 42 (1), pp. 48-56. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/01462679.2016.1264900 Accessed: 18 September 2024).
Meltzer, E. 1993. ‘Successfully Moving the Library – Temporarily’. College and Research Libraries News, 54 (10), pp. 557-560. Available at: https://doi.org/10.5860/crln.54.10.557 (Accessed: 18 September 2024).
Spalding, A. 2011. ‘Changing Places: Some Practical Outcomes from a Reclassification Project Using DDC22’, Art Libraries Journal, 36 (4), pp. 41-43. Available at https://doi.org/10.5860/crin.54.10.557 (Accessed: 18 September 2024).
Weaver, M. and Stanning, M. ‘Reclassification Project at St Martin’s College: a Case Study’, Library Review, 56 (1), pp. 61-72. Available at: https://doi.10.1108/00242530710722023 (Accessed: 18 September 2024).
Webster, E. and Faulkner, A. 2022. ‘Case Study: Reclassifying a Children’s and Young Adult Literature Collection’, Collection Management, 47 (2-3), pp. 101-110. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/01462679.2022.2030839 (Accessed: 24 September 2024).
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Sean Goddard, Daisy Phipps
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.