Library Classification in Persian Sources: A Systematic Review

To identify key researchers, publication features (e.g., publication year, journals’ name, etc.), thematic trends, and gaps and shortcomingsin the field.

By searching the databases (Iranian Research Institute for Information Science and Technology (IranDoc); Comprehensive database of humanities (Ensani), Noor specialized magazines websites (Noormags),and Scientific Information Databases (SID), 231 articles and 64 theses and dissertations in were identified. After refinements, 22 articles and 33 theses and dissertations were selected and analyzed.

Studies showed that most researchers are LIS graduates. The majority of theses   belonged to the University of Tehran.  17 of the articles are published in scientific research journals the 5 number of articles are published in the Journal of National Studies on Librarianship and Information Organization. Also, most of the thesis and articles are related to Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) and Library of Congress Classifications (LCC) scheme. Most of the published articles belong to the authors from the University of Isfahan and the University of Tehran. Studies can be divided into two categories: theoretical and practical. The theoretical part examines concepts, theories, relation between scientific classification and library classification, and position of interdisciplinary sciences that have been welcomed by researchers in the last decade. In the practical part, researchers have studied classification systems, and extension developed in Iran as well asthe function of classificatiom systems in assigning subjects    and creating taxonomies based on the classification systems. Problems with the development of classifications as well as the classification of digital resources and the need to change classification systems have been major challenges for researchers over the years. Research on the classification of audio-visual sources is also insufficient and needs more attention.

In recent years, more attention has been paid to theoretical issues. This can lead to the strengthening and expansion or even changes in classification systems. With the growth of digital resources and the formation of new and interdisciplinary sciences as well as changes in the field of information organization, the efficiency of traditional classification systems has decreased. Therefore, it is necessary to make changes in this area.