The visual, the textual, and the one-dimensional: An exploration of the visual elements of bibliographic classification schemes

Classification schemes are a key way of organizing bibliographic knowledge, yet the way that classification schemes communicate their information to classifiers receives little attention. This article takes a novel approach by exploring the visual aspects contained within classification schemes. The research uses a classification scheme analysis methodology. Three different classification scheme phenomena are discussed in terms of their visualization: hierarchy, notation, and notes. Indentation is found to be a significant—and implicit—method of communicating hierarchy to classifiers and offers intriguing solutions to the issues of transmuting from two dimensions into one. The visual elements of notation reveal a strong separation between notation and class, while the visual elements of notes illuminate a varying narrative around the position of notes in the classification scheme. A categorization system for visual elements in classification schemes is presented. Model 1 proffers visual elements as a fourth plane of classification, which extends and remodels Ranganathan's Three Planes of Work. Model 2 shows how visual elements could fit into classification scheme versioning. Ultimately, looking at visual aspects of classification schemes is a novel way of thinking about knowledge organization and can help us to better understand—and ultimately, to better use—classification schemes.