Cutter Expansive Classification: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 14:44, 10 August 2011

Revision as of 15:13, 10 August 2011

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The '''Cutter Expansive Classification''' system is a [[library classification]] system devised by [[Charles Ammi Cutter]]. The system was the basis for the top categories of the Library of Congress classification<ref>LaMontagne, Leo E. ''American Library Classification: With Special Reference to the Library of Congress''. Hamden, CT, Shoe String Press. 1961, p. 226.</ref>.

==History of the CutterExpansive classificationClassification==

Charles Ammi Cutter (1837&ndash;1903), inspired by the decimal classification of his contemporary [[Melvil Dewey]], developed his own classification scheme for the collections of the [[Boston Athenaeum]], at which he served as librarian for twenty-four years. He began work on it about 1880, publishing an overview of the new system in 1882. The same classification would later be used, but with a different notation, also devised by Cutter, at the Cary Library in Lexington<ref>Cutter, C. A. [http://books.google.com/books?id=L10oAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA1 ''Expansive Classification: Part I: The First Six Classifications'']. Boston, C. A. Cutter. 1891–93, p. 1.</ref>.

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The Cutter Expansive Classification, although adopted by comparatively few libraries, mostly in [[New England]], has been called one of the most logical and scholarly of American classifications. Its outline served as a basis for the Library of Congress classification, which also took over some of its features. It did not catch on as did Dewey's system because Cutter died before it was completely finished, making no provision for the kind of development necessary as the bounds of knowledge expanded and scholarly emphases changed throughout the 20th century.

==Outline of the CutterExpansive classificationClassification==

Like the LC classification system, texts are organized by subject. Users of Cutterthe Expansive Classification, however, will find the subjectmain headingsdivisions more general than those of the LC system.

* A General works (encyclopedias, periodicals, society publications)

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* Z Book arts, Bibliography

==How CutterExpansive Classification call numbers are constructed==

Most call numbers in the CutterExpansive classificationClassification follow conventions offering clues to the book's subject. The first line represents the subject, the second the author (and perhaps title), the third and fourth dates of editions, indications of translations, and critical works on particular books or authors. All numbers in the CutterExpansive systemClassification are (or should be) shelved as if in decimal order.

Size of volumes is indicated by points (.), pluses (+), or slashes (/ or //).