Tech Biz Writing

Three systems of library classification have been traditionally used:

* The Universal Decimal Classification
* The Dewey Decimal System
* The Library of Congress System

The Universal Decimal Classification (UDC) has ten main divisions:

0 Generalities
1 Philosophy, Metaphysics, Psychology, Logic, Ethics and Morals.
2 Religion, Theology.
3 Social Sciences, Economics, Law, Government, Education.
4 Philology, Linguistics, Languages.
5 Mathematics, Natural Sciences.
6 Applied Sciences, Medicine, Technology.
7 The Arts, Recreation, Sport &c.
8 Literature, Belle Lettres.
9 Geography, Biography, History.

As far as the range of subjects relating to technical writing is concerned, we can concentrate almost exclusively on division 6. If, for example, we are particularly interested in telecommunications, the sector subdivides thus:

6 Applied Sciences, Medicine, Technology.
62 Engineering Sciences.
621 Mechanical & Electrical Engineering.
621.3 Electrical Engineering.
621.39 Telecommunications, Radio, TV &c.

The catalogue index will list all available titles on telecomms under the designation 621.39.

The Dewey Decimal Classification contains a similar ten-point subdivision:

000 General.
100 Philosophy.
200 Religion.
300 Sociology.
400 Languages.
500 Pure Science.
600 Useful Arts (including Technology).
700 Fine Arts.
800 Literature.
900 History.

The ten classes are subdivided into ten divisions, and each of these into ten sections. The whole system thus totals 1000 sections, numbered from 000 to 999. By the addition of a decimal point, each section is further divided into ten. The process may be continued to any practicable length.

The American Library of Congress Classification uses an alpha-numeric notational arrangement, which is not completely satisfactory since it lacks a commonality of class notation. The system was developed, as its name suggests, to classify the publication stock of the US Library of Congress.

In addition, the International Standard Book Numbering System, commonly referred to as ISBN, originated in Britain in the late 1960s. It is run in the UK by the Standard Book Numbering Agency. It has now been almost universally adopted by publishers, booksellers and librarians, and is extensively used in computer and tele-ordering systems. ISBNs are allotted to books by publishers, who are granted blocks of numbers by the agency. The ISBN of this publication, for example, is 0-9537768-1-6, where 9537768 designates the publisher, Hermitage press. The course can therefore be ordered through any bookshop, even though it is principally marketed by mail order.

The Agency, run by Whitakers, from Shaftesbury Avenue in London, describes the ISBN’s role as identifying “… one title, or edition of a title, from one specific publisher …” It is unique to that title or edition.

ISSNs, on the other hand, designate serials or periodicals and operate under a separate system, out of the British Library in Wetherby.

With the introduction of Public Lending Rights, whereby authors will receive some return on books lent out at public libraries, ISBNs are now vital for authors too.

For a technical writer, libraries exist to provide information. Armed with an understanding of the main classification systems, and an idea of what to look for, no subject, no matter how arcane, is beyond reach. Computer databases have simplified these classification systems and are generally more approachable that printed indexes.

We shall now look in more detail at three other aspects of “calling up relevant data” — contacts, meetings, and information gathering in general.

Next: 19. Contacts.

This entry was posted on Monday, May 22nd, 2006 at 7:12 pm and is filed under Technical Writing, Publishing, TechBiz Writing, Educational Textbooks, Documentation, Research. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.