What Does "General Works" Include?
Think of Class 000 as the "foundation" of knowledge. It's the "how" and "why" behind information. This includes:
* Bibliographies: Books that list other books, articles, or resources (e.g., a bibliography of Shakespeare's works).
* Library Science: The practices of managing libraries, information retrieval, and cataloging.
* General Encyclopedias and Dictionaries: Reference works that provide summaries of knowledge across many fields.
* Publishing, Printing, and Bookselling: How books are made, distributed, and sold.
* Communication and Journalism: The art and science of communicating ideas, including newspapers, broadcasting, and public relations.
* Information Resources and Services: Resources like archives, museums, and information centers.
* General Literary Criticism: Discussions of literary techniques, styles, and movements.
Examples of DDC Numbers in Class 000:
* 001.4: The theory and history of writing
* 002.02: History of library science
* 005: Computer science
* 006: Computer applications (e.g., word processing, databases)
* 008: Literary movements and trends
* 009: General literary criticism
Why is Class 000 Important?
The General Works category is crucial because it provides the tools and resources for navigating and understanding other subjects. It's the "bridge" between general knowledge and specialized fields.
Example Scenario:
Imagine you're researching a new topic and need to understand the history of the subject and its major contributors. You might start by looking for a general encyclopedia entry (Class 003) or a book on the history of the field (Class 001). This foundation will help you delve deeper into specialized areas.
Key Takeaway:
Class 000 in the DDC system is not about a specific subject. Instead, it's about the tools and techniques used to create, access, and organize information itself. This makes it an essential starting point for almost any research journey.