Helsinki, November 16, 2009 Conspectus Method – implementations into library processes: experiences in the National Library of the Czech Republic Marie Balíková Světlana Knollová Jindřiška Pospíšilová

2 Bohdana Stoklasová Helsinki 2005 Conclusion: Czech experience: Conspectus is not an ideal tool, but it is a very powerful and flexible tool, useful even for areas you can not predict – once you decide for it (or any other tool), it is just here to make the integration of different projects possible and the life of librarians and mainly users much easier

3 Outline Conspectus method (aquisition, subject cataloging, services) Conspectus Categorization Scheme Conspectus Categorization Scheme used in Czechia Application of Conspectus Categorization Scheme in Czechia

4 Conspectus method An overview, summary, a description of collection strength and collecting intensities Arranged by –subject –classification scheme –combination of both Containing standardized codes for collection or collecting levels and languages of materials collected

5 Set of Conspectus reports, which include all appropriate collection information Collection descriptions may take a form of –unstructured textual documents –set of reports –structured open and standardized formats (database files) The most libraries prefer database files Czech libraries prefer a set of reports Preferred presentation of Conspectus model

6 Advantages of the Conspectus method Detailed library collection descriptions Collections and collecting patterns are described in comparable terms Conspectus values are accessible nationally (and internationally) online or in paper format Cooperative collecting or preservation policies can be developed using the Conspectus as an instrument to map collection strengths

7 Disadvantages of Conspectus method A labour intensive method A time consuming method Based to a considerable extent on subjective judgments Application of conspectus method requires conversion between classifications, e.g. to DDC; not all of the libraries' collections are classified in Library of Congress Classification or DDC Conspectus categories and subjects may be unsatisfactory for certain subject areas –CCS is too detailed in some areas, and not sufficiently detailed in others

8 Conspectus method applied in Czechia Discussion at the end of 1990s Translation of documents concerning the conspectus method Serious doubts about its applicability for our national archival collection among Czech University libraries and other research and public libraries In 2000 the National Library of the Czech Republic decided to carry out an evaluation of the strength of its collection in particular subject areas The collections of NLCR have been divided in three main branches: National Archive Collection, Universal Library Collection, and Study Collection

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10 Foreign acquisition policy NL collection development policy is based on the Conspectus model. The majority of the Conspectus subject categories should be covered in much detail that is expressed by the indicator 4 designating research level and by the language code W – wide selection of languages (mainly Czech and related documents). The mission of the NL in foreign literature acquisitions is to become the main information and documentary centre in humanities, natural and social sciences, culture and arts. The collections of the National Library serve the readers on undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

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12 Foreign acquisition policy cooperation with other Prague libraries for some branches - e.g. agriculture, technical branches, law, medicine Agriculture CL – what we already have 2a BASIC INFORMATION LEVEL, INTRODUCTORY AC – what we acquire 1a MINIMAL INFORMATION LEVEL, UNEVEN COVERAGE GL – collection development strategy – 2a L - Selected other language material included in addition to the primary language

13 Conspectus Categorization Scheme Background materials/Basic documents WLN Conspectus Scheme Dewey Decimal Classification, Edition 21 (DDC 21) UDC-MRF Version 2002

14 GUIDELINES FOR A COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT POLICY USING THE CONSPECTUS MODEL International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions Section on Acquisition and Collection Development 2001

15 WLN Conspectus Scheme – 2nd level

16 Dewey decimal classification and relative index / devised by Melvil Dewey th ed. / edited by Joan S. Mitchell... [et al.]. -- Albany : Forest Press, 1996.

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18 Comments on Conspectus categorization scheme Is based on the shape of the North American Academic world from the middle of the 20th century The shape of the scholarly world has changed since then The context of our country and the surrounding Central Europe is specific and different comparing with North America especially in subject domains such as –Education –Law –Politics, politology –European (small) languages, literatures –History –Auxiliary history sciences –Juvenile literature –Belles-lettres and literary criticism

19 Organization of information in Conspectus Categorization Scheme In conspectus categorization scheme information are organized by discipline (like in DDC or UDC) For example the topic “death” or documents containing information on death may appear in several conspectus categories, e.g. –210 Philosophy and theory of religion –230 Christian theology, christian doctrinal theology –296 Judaism –297 Islam –393 Death customs – Special metaphysics –346 Private law –612 Human physiology –616 Diseases. Clinical medicine

20 Conspectus Categorization Scheme used in Czechia Library resources are divided into 24 broad subject divisions Within these divisions subject is further divided into 584 conspectus categories And then into conspectus subjects – subject controlled terms – (topical terms – czenas) Original conspectus is based on LCC, DDC UDC widely used among Czech libraries Concordances between UDC-DDC necessary

21 Conspectus Divisions - the first hierarchical level Original WLN conspectus categorization scheme recommended by IFLA is respectedWLN conspectus categorization The main objective of the first level is to provide an overview of library collections from subject´s viewpoint Among the libraries of the same type, e.g. national libraries of Central Europe, research libraries in humanities etc. The Conspectus divisions are not tied to any universal classification scheme: it is not possible because the traditional classifications like DDC or UDC are decimal; the whole knowledge is organized in ten main classes

22 First level of Conspectus Categorization scheme 1. Anthropology 2. Biological sciences 3. Performing Arts 4. Business and economics 5. Philosophy and religion 6. Physical sciences 7. Geography and earth sciences 8. History and auxiliary sciences 9. Music 10. Chemistry 11. Language, linguistics and literature 12. Library science, generalities and references 13. Mathematics 14. Medicine 15. Political science 16. Law 17. Psychology 18. Sociology 19. Engineering and technology 20. Physical education and recreation 21. Art and architecture 22. Education 23. Computer sciences 24. Agriculture

23 Differences between Conspectus Scheme, DDC and UDC at the first hierarchical level Conspectus divisions structure - 24 main subject categories - are more convenient for an inexperienced user; the important disciplines are enumerated at the first hierarchical level, e. g. medicine, chemistry, mathematics One Conspectus division contains data originating from various main classes of DDC/UDC, e.g. Conspectus division “Business and economics” contains data from class 300/3 – Social sciences and 600/6 Technology In DDC and UDC classifications, philosophy and psychology are included in one main class, the religion is located in a separate main class (2), In Conspectus scheme, the religion and the philosophy are together in one division, the psychology forms a separate main division

24 Division 4 „Business and economics“ contains data from class 300/3 – Social sciences and 600/6 Technology Division 5 „Philosophy and religion - are together in one division

25 Conspectus Categorization Scheme - principles of mapping A decision has been accepted The first level must stay unchanged At the second level all necessary information must be included The third level is created by systems of controlled terms used in Czechia In the institutions that are responsible for subject analysis in their discipline, e.g. –National Technical Library for techniques, technology and related subjects, –National Library of Medicine for medicine and related topics, –NLCR responsible for universal controlled system called CZENAS

26 UDC – DDC mapping Main principles: To establish a connection between DDC Conspectus Category and UDC Conspectus Category It means that only Conspectus Categories are mapped Subject headings and classification numbers entered in individual BIB records are not mapped The mapping is carried out in one direction only, from the UDC to the DDC

27 2nd hierarchical level of Conspectus Scheme All mappings between DDC and UDC were realized at this level only Our intention was to create such a mapping tool which enables both To compare library collections at institutional, national and – regarding Conspectus Scheme – international level as well To create such an organizing tool which is able to meet all (almost all) criteria of Czech libraries of all types

28 DDC in Czech Conspectus scheme To adapt the captions of the system to general end- users To support end-users understanding and web browsing To add the name of a discipline when the DDC caption is not “complete”

29 Different point of view on European history and philosophy, unusual for Europeans

30 More Conspectus categories 1 Subject areas heavily represented in Czech environment and missing in DDC Conspectus scheme are included in Czech Conspectus scheme, e.g.

31 More Conspectus categories 2

32 Where is the Conspectus categorization scheme applied The most important characteristic of the conspectus scheme - access to information resources through content characteristics - was used when creating and developing Universaly subject-oriented gateway (UIG – Uniform information gateway), Subject information gateways (KIV /library and information science/, MUS, TECH, ART) Subject access – WebArchiv project Topic map of the Czech National Library Collection

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39 E.g. Library management. Library services. Organization of the library collections. Collection structure. Cataloguing. Information retrieval language.

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41 Topic map of library collections Can serve as an user friendly subject access for inexperienced library users and for those who prefer to get information on documents location directly and without the use of library catalogue. The main objective is to provide high quality services and improve information sharing. Topic map presents subject information in a systematic way and helps patrons use the portal through a simple interface. In order to achieve this navigation and search function information resources are connected to the topics through the Conspectus categories data entered in bibliographic records.

42 Conspectus categories can be displayed: without DDC notations according to DDC notations

43 According to DDC notations

44 In alphabetical order

45 Search term: Albatros = name of publishing house

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47 Search is limited to the Czech production

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50 Conspectus Category applied in BIB record |a |x Literatura pro děti a mládež |2 Konspekt| |a 58 |x Botanika |2 Konspekt|9 2

51 Authority record of Conspectus Division

52 Authority record of Conspectus Category

53 Index of Conspectus Categories applied in BIB records

54 Navigation by Conspectus Categories

55 Conspectus Categorization Scheme our experiences Is not an ideal tool, but it is a very powerful and flexible tool which can be used for organization of heterogenous information resources It can improve subject access It can serve as navigation tool It can serve as crosswalk between two widely used classification schemes DDC and UDC

56 Thank you for your attention.