Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Abstract
Libraries use classification systems to arrange library materials in a logical order and provide users better access. Formal structured classification systems have been developed for this purpose. Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC), Charles Ammi Cutter's Expansive Classification (EC), The Subject Classification (SC) of James Duff Brown, Library of Congress Classification (LCC), Universal Decimal Classification (UDC), Henry E. Bliss's Bibliographic Classification (BC), and S. R. Ranganathan's Colon Classification (CC) are internationally known standard library classification systems. All these systems lack proper placement and coverage of materials being published on topics relevant to Islam. Islam is an area of extensive publication activity. Therefore, libraries with rich collections on Islam face the problem of classification. In response of this problem, different libraries have adopted different types of practices and systems. This trend has created problems of access and retrieval for the users of these collections. This study was conducted to address this problem. Scholars in library and information science and scholars in Islamic studies were selected as participants. Their opinions on potential solutions of the problem along with ways to coordination among stakeholders have been analysed.