Integrating Dewey Decimal Classification scheme in library software for effective subject

searching

ResearchersArif Khan, Research Librarian, PARD

Dr. Haroon Idrees, AP, University of Sargodha

Purpose

• This paper discusses the application of Dewey Decimal Classification Scheme (21st Edition) in a Library Software for effective Subject Searching

Presentation Sequence

• Analysis (Problem Definition)• Design (what is the system)• Implementation (how the system works)• Results

Library Catalog

• In automated environment, end-user searches the library catalog through Title, Author, and Subject primarily.

• The cataloguer is required to assign proper subject headings to each and every record in order to make the information retrievable.

Search by Subject

• When User search library catalog through Subject, the system looks to find the given keyword in assigned subject headings and retrieve the relevant records.

Problem Definition

• What if the standard subject headings are not assigned to each item in catalog?

• How can we enable Subject Search on library catalog without assigning subject headings to each item?

• How can we save time of the cataloguer for such inevitable but elongated effort?

Answers

• No record found• There should be an equally suitable alternate• By developing automated system to get the

work done

Alternative

• We present an alternate approach of executing subject search through classification number and not by the simple method of finding keyword in assigned subject headings.

The CVM

• The proposed system determines the subject heading itself and then executes Subject Search on library catalog through its automatic mechanism.

• How it Works?

Design

• We added DDC to our Searching Module called Controlled Vocabulary Module (CVM) which determines the subject heading for a given keyword and find records against each Dewey Number in library catalog

• Lets see the System’s Flowchart

How this system works?User Input

C.V.MRecords

Extracted

Display ResultsRecords Sorted

SH defined

Implementation

• Lets see how CVM defines the subject heading for a given keyword

CMV is managed using a simple Table

Class Number Class Caption Dewey Index Term LCST

297.122 Quran KoranQoranQuranSacred books--Islam

Koran storiesKoran Relation to the Bible.Muhammad, Prophet, d. 632.

330 Economics Economic rightsEconomics

EconomicsInstitutional economicsEconomics--Moral and ethical aspectsEconomics--MethodologyComparative economics

340 Law Federal law (Treatises)JurisprudenceLaw

JurisprudenceLawLaw--QuotationsLaw--Interpretation and constructionLaw--Congresses

355 Military Sc. Armed forcesArmed servicesGround forcesLand forces Military artsMilitary services

Military art and scienceWar--Quotations, maxims, etcMilitary art and science--Early works to 1800Military art and science--TranslationsMilitary art and science--Quotations,

User enters a word to search

Terrorism

Terrorism

Class Number Class Caption Dewey Index Term LCSH

330 Economics

363.325 Terrorism—prevention

341 International Law

658 Management

300 Social Science

341.773 Terrorism—International Law

303.625 Terrorism

378 Higher Education

385 Railroad Transportation

363.32 Control of violence and Terrorism

364.1 Criminal offenses ConspiracyCrimesCrimes without victimsCriminal offensesTerrorism--criminology

Terrorism--HistoryTerrorism--Handbooks, manuals, etcTerrorism--Great Britain—Prevention

Controlled Vocabulary Module

TerrorismControlled Vocabulary Module

List of Class Numbers

303.625

341.773

363.325

327.117345.02364.1658.473

Find Bibliographic Records against each Dewey Number

Class Bibliographic Records363.325 Dying to Win: The Strategic Logic of Suicide

Terrorism by Robert A. Pape

363.3250681 Disrupting threat finances : using financial information to disrupt terrorist organizations by Anderson, Wesley J. L

363.3251 Less Safe, Less Free: Why America Is Losing the War on Terror by David Cole

363.3255 Defusing Armageddon: Inside NEST, America's Secret Nuclear Bomb Squad by Jeffrey T Richelson

363.3259 Unsafe at Any Altitude: Exposing the Illusion of Aviation Security by Susan B. Trento

303.623 American Mobbing, 1828-1861: Toward Civil War by David Grimsted

341.773 International Terrorism: Legal Challenges and Responses by Ved Nanda

658.473 Violence at work : causes, patterns and prevention by M.L.Gill

System Structure

• The library database is created in Microsoft SQL Server 2005

• The searching module of our software is called Controlled Vocabulary Module (CVM)

• Electronic version of DDC 21st Edition was imported in CVM

Objectives

• Primary objective of conducting this study was to document, preserve and present the process of enhancing the subject search mechanism of locally built library software

Literature Review

• We have conducted a thorough literature review on the topics covering case studies and experiments on developing information retrieval systems

• Please refer to our paper for further details

Results

• We conducted a test to validate the results of CVM

• We installed two PCs in library (one with CVM and other without CVM)

• Library users as well as staff were asked to use both the systems and record their findings

Results….contd.

• Results were compared in terms of:– Number of hits (retrieved records) by each system– Relevancy and closeness to Dewey Class Number– Users’ remarks

Future Work

• We intend to build API of this CVM to be attached with commonly used locally built library software

• Another intended work is to upgrade the auto update mechanism of this system

Value

• an effective software product is developed and implemented in a real-world environment

• Lessons learned from the project, and implications for practice and research are offered.

• Specifically, the developed module is utilized for the enhancement of Information Search & Retrieval module of library management system

Thank you

• Questions, if any