Five Fundamental Five Fundamental CategoriesCategories

ByByBhupendra Ratha, LecturerBhupendra Ratha, Lecturer

School of Library and Information Science School of Library and Information Science Devi Ahilya University, IndoreDevi Ahilya University, Indore

Email: Email: bhu261@gmail.combhu261@gmail.com

Background of Fundamental Background of Fundamental CategoriesCategories

In 1952, Ranganathan published the 4th In 1952, Ranganathan published the 4th edition. This included a major new edition. This included a major new development, the introduction of the PMEST development, the introduction of the PMEST (Personality, Matter, Energy, Space, Time) (Personality, Matter, Energy, Space, Time) categories. The basic idea of five categories categories. The basic idea of five categories was present in the earlier edition, but was not was present in the earlier edition, but was not clearly defined. clearly defined.

Fundamental CategoriesFundamental CategoriesMain Class Main Class

[P] [M] [E] [S] [T]; : . ‘,

Many classifiers, catalogers and theorists have struggled with the distinction between Personality, Matter, Energy, Space, and Time.

Decreasing sequence of concretenessDecreasing sequence of concreteness

Classification of books in Indian national Classification of books in Indian national library during 1991.library during 1991.

1991 1991 [T][T] India India [S][S] Classification Classification [E][E] BooksBooks [M][M] National library National library [P][P]

Personality [P]Personality [P]

The Personality facet indicates the core point of the The Personality facet indicates the core point of the subject at hand.subject at hand.

Characteristics of main class.Characteristics of main class. Comma (,) is Connecting symbol for personality.Comma (,) is Connecting symbol for personality. Use of personality in different main classes according to Use of personality in different main classes according to

their facet formula and specific rules.their facet formula and specific rules.

Use of PersonalityUse of Personality

Personality as a Space [S]Personality as a Space [S]

For ex: Indian history V44For ex: Indian history V44British law Z56British law Z56

Cont…Cont…

Personality as a time [T]Personality as a time [T]

For ex: For ex: Biography of Dr. Ranganathan 2wM92Biography of Dr. Ranganathan 2wM92

Cont…Cont…

Personality as a LanguagePersonality as a Language

For ex:For ex:English language P111English language P111Hindi literatureHindi literature O152O152

Matter [M]Matter [M]

The Matter facet typically deals with some concrete The Matter facet typically deals with some concrete object, typically inanimate.object, typically inanimate.

Matter are basically material, property and things.Matter are basically material, property and things. Semicolon (;) is the connecting symbol for the matter.Semicolon (;) is the connecting symbol for the matter. Use of matter only in few main classes such as Use of matter only in few main classes such as

Library science, Biology, Fine arts etc.Library science, Biology, Fine arts etc.

Use of matterUse of matter

For ex:For ex:Reference book in Library 2;47Reference book in Library 2;47Painting on wood NQ;1Painting on wood NQ;1Paper currency X61;4Paper currency X61;4

Energy Energy

The energy facet indicates to actions, problems or The energy facet indicates to actions, problems or work efficiency. work efficiency.

This could be persons, objects or any entity acting This could be persons, objects or any entity acting alone or with another. alone or with another.

This could include conceptual or intellectual entities This could include conceptual or intellectual entities as well.as well.

The connecting symbol for energy is colon (The connecting symbol for energy is colon (:).:).

Use of EnergyUse of Energy

Reference services in national libraryReference services in national library213:7213:7

Management of foreign banksManagement of foreign banksX6295:8X6295:8

SpaceSpace

Space facet Space facet indicatesindicates to geographical area such to geographical area such as nation, state, city.as nation, state, city.

Space isolate gave on the page no. For Space isolate gave on the page no. For different areas.different areas.

Use of space in few main class for [P] such as Use of space in few main class for [P] such as History, Law.History, Law.

Dot (.) is Connecting symbol for space. Dot (.) is Connecting symbol for space.

Use of SpaceUse of Space

Political geography of India U5.44Political geography of India U5.44 Income tax in IndiaIncome tax in India X724.44X724.44 Curriculum in USACurriculum in USA T:2.73T:2.73

TimeTime We can easily understand to time facet.We can easily understand to time facet. To the time facet given a chapter time isolate To the time facet given a chapter time isolate

on the page no. 2.7 In the colon.on the page no. 2.7 In the colon. In the time isolate, time period can be divided In the time isolate, time period can be divided

in millennium, decade, year etc.in millennium, decade, year etc. Use of time in different main class according Use of time in different main class according

to their rules.to their rules. The connecting symbol for time is single The connecting symbol for time is single

inverted comma (‘).inverted comma (‘).

Use of Time Use of Time

International trade in 20International trade in 20thth century.century.X:5.1’N X:5.1’N

University education in 1951University education in 1951T4’N51T4’N51