CHOICE OF SCHEME FOR CLASSIFICATION - Indian Statistical ...

any such newly emerging Isolate Idea or Basic Subject or Compound Subject throws new
light on the existing sequences of them and calls for a new realignment of the sequence
concerned. This will call for a change in the schedule and in particular in some Class
Numbers.
3.7.4 "They Know Not What They Say"
Such occasional changes in Class Numbers are inevitable on account of the
turbulent state of the Universe of Subjects. Practising librarians should realise this. Every
librarian should be prepared to change the Class Numbers of the concerned subjects
whenever demanded by the developments in the Universe of Subjects. Sometimes a
librarian says, "Classificationists are talking only theory. They do not know the
difficulties of working librarians. Administratively it is difficult, if not impossible, to
change the Class Numbers." This connotes a pathetic attitude comparable to that of King
Canute ordering the ocean not to send forth waves. Verily, such a librarian "Knows not
what he says". Such a librarian should take to heart the significant statement of H
Poincare, the great scientist, "The men most dissatisfied of theory get from it, without
supporting it, their daily bread; deprived of this food, progress would quickly cease and
we should soon congeal into immobility" (26).
3.7.5 A Way Out
Fixing the most helpful position for each Compound Subject in the overall
sequence of subjects is an arduous one. Out of the work done in the Idea Plane in India,
has emerged a set of postulates and guiding principles for the design of a Scheme for
Classification. With their aid any Compound Subject can be found its helpful place in
the sequence of subjects, with ease and consistence. According to B I Palmer, these
postulates and principles, "have worked a revolution in our subject, and changed it from a
dull theory with apparently little relevance to practice into an incisive intellectual tool
which could be used to analyse existing schemes or to help in the construction of new
ones" (25). The Wall-Picture Principle is particularly a versatile guide. It helps in
determining helpful sequence among:
1 The Facets of a Compound Subject;
2 The Isolates in any facet; and
3 The Isolates in any array (38, 58).
3.7.6 Systematic Procedure for Practical Classification
Work in the Idea Plane has also led to a systematic procedure, consisting of five
steps, in arranging the facets of a Compound Subject prior to translating the focus in each
facet into its focal number (39,64). Practically CC, DC, and UDC conform to the result
of this procedure.