๐ What is Colon Classification?
Colon Classification (CC) is a faceted classification system developed in 1933 by Dr. Shiyali Ramamrita Ranganathan, the father of library science in India. Unlike other classification systems like Dewey Decimal, it allows for flexible and specific representation of subjects using facets.
| Key Features: | |
| Inventor | Dr. S.R. Ranganathan |
| Year Introduced | 1933 |
| Type | Faceted classification |
| Symbol Use | Colon (:), plus (+), slash (/), etc. to separate facets |
| Editions | 7 editions (latest: 1987, posthumous) |
| Application | Used in specialized libraries, |
| ๐ PMEST – The Facet Formula: | ||
| Fact | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| P | Personality | Chemistry |
| M | Matter | History |
| E | Energy | Studying / Researching |
| S | Space | India |
| T | Time | 1800 |
๐ Notation System
- Uses mixed notation (letters, numbers, punctuation)
- Colon (:) separates main class from facets
- + used for co-ordination, / for range
- ' used for isolates (e.g., time or place)
⚠️ Limitations
- Difficult to understand for beginners
- Not widely adopted globally
- Requires trained professionals to use effectively
๐งช Example
Subject: “Library automation in India in 1990”
Notation: B:54'N5
- B = Library Science
- 54 = Automation (Energy)
- 'N5 = Time isolate for 1990
๐ Fun Fact
Colon Classification was one of the world’s first faceted systems and inspired modern metadata standards and digital classification models.
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