Jane and all--
Any classification scheme will have issues with currency and bias. LC's approach to changing subject matter has often been to keep the same numbers but to give more sensitive captions to the numbers, and to expand the schedule as warranted. There have been many discussions about the placement of homosexuality in the section on sexual deviance. I don't have the H schedule in front of me now but I think that the captions would no longer place homosexuality as deviant, perhaps variant but not deviant.
As Daniel Starr points out, there is a form on LC's website where problems with numbers can be noted or new numbers can be proposed.
Similar issues exist for non-western places. The numbers for some Asian places, for example, are much longer than western European ones. The numbers for Latin American and African literature can get quite complex.
All that said, it is certainly our goal as classifiers to be objective in our placement of a book, just as we try to give subject headings that reflect the content as non-judgmentally as possible. We do try to remember, however, that every book which is reclassified is a new book not classified. In an area like LGBT where the literature is expanding significantly, the bulk of materials which will be classed there will probably swamp the books which were more likely to deal with homosexuality as deviant. I realize that this may not be much solace to your users.
Sherman Clarke
New York University Libraries (retired)
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----- Original Message -----
From: Jane Carlin <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 4:47 pm
Subject: [ARLIS-L] Cataloging Question
To: [log in to unmask]
> Dear ARLIS/NA Colleagues
>
> Recently I have been approached by a student organization concerning the
> LC classification of publications associated with gender issues - they
> provided me with some specific examples of materials associated with
> transgender issues that are shelved with materials related to deviancy.
> This has raised concerns with many of our students who support diversity
> and inclusion programs on campus.
>
> A response from a cataloger is as follows: " As you know, the Library
> of
> Congress classification system does have a few idiosyncrasies, and
> issues where social change is involved frequently end up in odd places.
> It originated in 1899 and has gone through several editions. But once
> class numbers are assigned, it happens infrequently that they are moved,
> and even less frequently that materials are reclassified.
> Transgender/Gay/Lesbian material is not alone, or even unique in its
> awkward placement. As far as I know, there has been no
> reclassification"
>
> I would be most interested in comments from ARLIS/NA colleagues
> concerning this topic.
>
>
> Jane A. Carlin
> Director, Collins Memorial Library
> University of Puget Sound
> 1500 N. Warner St. #1021
> Tacoma, Washington 98416-1021
>
> T: 253-879-3118
> www.ups.edu/library
>
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