Bibliographic Management | Factfile

Colon Classification (CC)

Colon Classification is a system of library classification developed by S.R. Ranganathan. It was the first faceted (or analytico-synthetic) classification.

Subjects are divided into facets (aspects) and class numbers are synthesised from the classifications. This method is more powerful than hierarchical and enumerative schemes, it can result in much longer class numbers.

Its name 'colon classification' comes from the use of colons to separate facets in class numbers. It is especially used in libraries in India.

Example

Topic: research in the cure of tuberculosis of lungs by x-ray conducted in India in 1950

Call number: L,45;421:6;253:f.44'N5

Components: Medicine, Lungs; Tuberculosis: Treatment; x-ray: Research. India'1950