Library of Congress classification: catalogers’ perceptions of the new Subclass KBP

Abstract

PurposeProfessional cataloguers working in ten university libraries in Jordan, Malaysia, and United Arab Emirates were interviewed with the aim of investigating their perceptions on the new Library of Congress classification's Subclass KBP for Islamic law (IL).Design/methodology/approachSpecific aspects investigated were accessibility and user satisfaction, clarity of terms, ease of use, inclusiveness and comprehensiveness, modernism and innovation, and systematic arrangement and relationships.FindingsThree aspects received positive feedbacks from respondents. It is also evident that cataloguers’ familiarity with and skills in applying the Subclass KBP should be improved to ensure effective use of the scheme.Practical implicationsThe decision on whether or not to apply the new KBP schedule represents a great challenge for those libraries around the world especially those in the Arab/Islamic countries. In the light of the decision of the LC to apply the newly developed Subclass KBP for IL, libraries are now facing a new challenge and have to decide on the implementation of the new schedule.Originality valueDeals with issues that need to be more clearly understood in the West.