Library Classification systems used by School Libraries:

Abstract

Classification is one of the prominent tools used in libraries for knowledge organization. There are numerous library classification methods used around the world to fulfill different purposes. Thus, the objective of this study is to identify the library classification systems used by school libraries. School libraries in Akuressa educational zone, Sri Lanka were selected as the population for this study. In order to obtain the data, a questionnaire was posted through regular mail to the librarians worked in randomly selected fifty school libraries. The response rate for the questionnaire was 72%. Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) system (36.1%) is the most popular classification system among school librarians. Just over fifth (22.2%) of school libraries are using a color code system integrated with DDC. A minority of school libraries use only a color code system (13.9%) and a classification system developed by themselves (11.1%) for classification purposes. Less than a fifth (16.7%) of libraries are not using any classification method. Application of the most suitable classification method to organize library materials is very important practice. Hence, school libraries must pay attention to the size and nature of the collection and composition of the users when selecting a library classification system.