Working with Form Division Tables in KF Modified – (Part 2)
This is the second in a series of posts looking at the use of the form division tables in KF Modified. If you missed the first post please see the introductory remarks in part 1.
As previously mentioned there are 9 form division tables available for use in KF Modified. Each table is identified using a Roman numeral and most are meant to be used with classification numbers that contain a specific range of numbers or single numbers with special characteristics.
Table II for example is used with classification numbers that span 10 numbers. KF3861 to KF3870, the classification number for resources about ‘Food. Drugs. Cosmetics’, is an example of a classification number that contains 10 numbers.
Here are the 9 available tables along with their corresponding number ranges:
| Table I | 20 numbers |
| Table II | 10 numbers |
| Table III | 5 numbers |
| Table IV | 5 numbers |
| Table V | 2 numbers |
| Table IV | 1 number |
| Table VII | topics represented by Cutter numbers |
| Table VIII | form divisions under single-numbered captions for general works |
| Table IX | modified form divisions for state law |
At this point don’t worry about Tables VII, VIII and IX. As you can see they are to be used in special situations and we’ll come back to those after we’ve mastered the first 6 tables.
When looking at these first 6 tables the first question that comes to my mind is: why are there two tables for classification numbers with 5 numbers? I’m not sure about the history behind these two tables so I don’t have a good answer. They are different though with Table III having fewer available form divisions to choose from than Table IV. So let’s park that question for now.
I would say the most frequently used tables in KF Modified are Table VI for single classification numbers and Table II for 10 numbers. You’ll also encounter Tables I, III and IV in the schedule, but less often.
In the KF Modified schedule the cataloguer will be instructed to use one of the tables using the following type of notation:
3124 Interference practice (VI)
This tells the cataloguer that when classifying a title in KF3124 you would use Table VI when applying the applicable form division.
Similarly,
Road traffic. Automotive transportation 2201-2210 Motor vehicles in general (II)
tells the cataloguer to use the Table II form division table when the title covers motor vehicles in general.
Recall that when a number is eligible for the Geographic Division the form tables are not used. So for something like this,
Business corporations 1396-1415 General (I) (G.D. 1415 [1396-1415])
the G.D. takes precedent and the form division Table I is not used.
So a conference dealing with Australian business corporations in general would be classed in KF1415.ZD4 not KF1414.A2 (the form division for Congresses, Symposia, Collected papers, addresses, and essays). However, if you were classifying a collection of papers dealing with the law of U.S. business corporations in general you would use Table I and KF1415.A2 would be the correct number to use.
OK, so try this quick exercise:
Which form division table would you use for the following classification numbers or range of numbers in KF Modified?
| KF1423 | |
| KF318 | |
| KF841-850 | |
| KF3566-3570 | |
| KF1290.F4 |
We’ll review the answers and look at the form divisions in more detail in the next post.
Have a good week!
