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Standard library classification systems like Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC), U.S. Library of Congress Classification (LCC), and Universal Decimal Classification (UDC) are internationally known and widely used by libraries as the tools for organizing information. Charles Ammi Cutter's Expansive Classification (EC), James Duff Brown's Subject Classification (SC), Henry E. Bliss' Bibliographic Classification (BC), and S. R. Ranganathan's Colon Classification (CC) also are standard classification systems, but they are less commonly used compared to aforementioned three systems. All these systems are easy to use and convenient for most general collection libraries. However, these systems are not adequate for some special collections. Libraries with rich collections on Islam also face problems while using these systems, although such libraries often use expansions in the original systems for their collections. This paper examines this problem and presents a potential optimal solution. The author collected data, using a semistructured interview technique, from a representative sample of thirty libraries in eight countries with strong collections in Islam. These data were analyzed employing qualitative methods.
Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC), Charles Ammi Cutter's Expansive Classification (EC), James Duff Brown's Subject Classification (SC), U.S. 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 classification systems. However, DDC, LCC and UDC are more widely used around the globe. These systems have served their purpose adequately in most disciplines and areas of knowledge. Nevertheless, some grey areas lack proper place and enumeration in these "fit-for-all" standard classification systems. Islamic knowledge is one area that has not been properly addressed by these systems. Hence the libraries that have developed extensive collections on Islam face the problem of organizing their collections while using these systems. This paper examines this problem and presents a potential solution. The author collected empirical data from thirty practicing librarians serving in libraries that have rich collections on Islam from eight countries (Pakistan, India, Malaysia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Kingdom, and the United States) using the semistructured interview technique. The author then analyzed the data to get a picture of current practices and challenges.
Problem Statement
Libraries that have developed extensive collections on Islamic knowledge face problems organizing their collections while applying the commonly used...