Datasets:
Tasks:
Text Classification
Modalities:
Text
Formats:
json
Sub-tasks:
multi-class-classification
Size:
10K - 100K
configs: | |
- config_name: DDC | |
default: true | |
data_files: | |
- split: train | |
path: | |
- DDC.jsonl.gz | |
- config_name: LCC | |
data_files: | |
- split: train | |
path: | |
- LCC.jsonl.gz | |
- config_name: UDC | |
data_files: | |
- split: train | |
path: | |
- UDC.jsonl.gz | |
- config_name: CLC | |
data_files: | |
- split: train | |
path: | |
- CLC.jsonl.gz | |
- config_name: RVK | |
data_files: | |
- split: train | |
path: | |
- RVK.jsonl.gz | |
- config_name: BBK | |
data_files: | |
- split: train | |
path: | |
- BBK.jsonl.gz | |
task_categories: | |
- text-classification | |
task_ids: | |
- multi-class-classification | |
pretty_name: Library Classification Systems | |
tags: | |
- library-science | |
- information-organization | |
- ontology | |
# Library Classification Systems | |
This comprehensive dataset contains hierarchical outlines of major library classification systems, offering a valuable resource for researchers, librarians, and information scientists. | |
| Classification System | Abbreviation | Primary Usage | Language | Entries | | |
|-----------------------|--------------|----------------|----------|---------| | |
| Dewey Decimal Classification | DDC | International | English | 1110 | | |
| Library of Congress Classification | LCC | International | English | 6517 | | |
| Universal Decimal Classification | UDC | International | English | 2431 | | |
| Chinese Library Classification | CLC | China | Simplified Chinese | 8826 | | |
| Regensburger Verbundklassifikation | RVK | German universities | German | 5032 | | |
| Библиотечно-библиографическая классификация | BBK | Russia | Russian | 2588 | | |
**Total Entries:** 26504 | |
Note that the full classification systems can be much more detailed than presented here. For DDC, LCC, and UDC, they have to be purchased from their organizations. | |
## Data Structure | |
Each instance in the dataset represents a library classification entry. | |
The data is structured in **JSONL (JSON Lines)** format, with each entry containing the following fields: | |
| Field | Type | Description | Example | | |
|--------------|-------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------| | |
| `call_number`| string | The alphanumeric call number that uniquely identifies the classification | `"AC1-999"` | | |
| `description`| string | A textual description of the classification topic or subject area | `"Collections. Series. Collected works"` | | |
| `broader` | string or null | The call number of the parent/broader classification; null for root-level classifications | `null` (for a top-level classification) | | |
| `narrower` | list of strings | An array of call numbers representing child/narrower classifications | `["AC1-195", "AC200", "AC801-895", "AC901-995", "AC999"]` | | |
### Example Instance | |
```json | |
{ | |
"call_number": "AC1-999", | |
"description": "Collections. Series. Collected works", | |
"broader": null, | |
"narrower": ["AC1-195", "AC200", "AC801-895", "AC901-995", "AC999"] | |
} | |
``` | |
## Dataset Creation | |
<details> | |
<summary>Click for details</summary> | |
On 2024-09-18, publicly available classification outlines were collected from: | |
- **LCC**: Library of Congress Classification Outline | |
- **UDC**: Universal Decimal Classification Summary (ROSSIO Vocabulary Server) | |
- **DDC**: Dewey Services - Resources (OCLC) | |
- **CLC**: CLC Index | |
- **RVK**: RVK Online | |
- **BBK**: КлассИнформ (crawled 2024-09-19) | |
Versions used: | |
- UDC Master Reference File (2011) | |
- DDC 23 Summaries | |
- RVK aktuelle csv-Datei (2023_2) | |
Data processing steps: | |
1. **DDC**: Downloaded summary PDF and formatted for consistency. | |
2. **LCC**: Converted Word files to plain text, extracting headings and call numbers programmatically. | |
3. **UDC**: Parsed `udc-summary.rdf` using RDFlib, retaining only English labels. | |
4. **CLC**: Crawled website, including only the first 3 hierarchy levels. | |
5. **RVK**: Processed CSV file, keeping only the first 3 hierarchy levels. | |
6. **BBK**: Crawled website, no limit on hierarchy levels. | |
</details> | |
## Supported Tasks and Leaderboards | |
This dataset is valuable for various tasks in information science and machine learning, including: | |
1. **Hierarchical Text Classification** | |
2. **Library Science and Information Organization** | |
3. **Ontology and Knowledge Graph Construction** | |
4. **Comparative Studies of Classification Systems** | |
5. **Machine Learning for Library Cataloging** | |
While no leaderboards are currently associated with this dataset, it provides opportunities for developing benchmarks in automated classification accuracy and ontology mapping. | |
## Considerations for Using the Data | |
### Social Impact | |
This dataset broadens access to library classification knowledge, potentially: | |
- Facilitating research in information science and digital humanities. | |
- Supporting improved information retrieval systems. | |
- Enhancing educational resources for library and information science students. | |
### Discussion of Biases | |
Be aware that library classification systems may reflect historical, cultural, and geographical biases, such as: | |
- **Overrepresentation of Western Perspectives** | |
- **Outdated Terminology or Categorizations** | |
- **Uneven Depth of Coverage** across subject areas. | |
### Known Limitations | |
1. **Scope**: Includes only freely available outlines, not complete texts. | |
2. **Granularity**: Detail levels vary across systems and subjects. | |
3. **Currency**: Updates to classification systems may not be immediately reflected. | |
4. **Structural Differences**: UDC's structure differs from DDC and LCC, affecting comparisons. | |
## Additional Information | |
### Dataset Curator | |
Alan Tseng | |
### Licensing Information | |
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) | |