Decimal Classification Editorial Policy Committee (EPC)

ALA ALCTS CCS Subject Analysis Committee Midwinter Report
January 2000

The 113th meeting of EPC was convened on November 7-9, 1999, in Washington, D.C.

Andrea Stamm from Northwestern University was elected chair for a two-year term, commencing January 2000. Previously Andrea had served as deputy chair. Pamela Brown from the Suburban Library System (Illinois) was elected deputy chair and will serve through the remainder of Andrea's term.

The committee feted departing members Elaine Svenonius and Giles Martin. Elaine is retiring from EPC after serving for six years. Giles, who was formerly the representative from Australia, has been employed by OCLC Forest Press as an assistant editor, working at the OCLC campus in Ohio. It is expected that replacement members will be announced before EPC meets again.

In terms of committee business, at the fall 1997 meeting, the representative from the United Kingdom had presented a paper about the role of EPC, which included a series of recommendations. Subsequently, a subgroup consisting of the EPC chair (and Canadian representative), the ALA representative, and the Dewey Editor was convened to respond. This subgroup presented its work to EPC, and consequently a series of small adjustments will be made in the way EPC operates. EPC also formulated a recommendation that the editorial work plan be made available over the Web up to one year in advance so that the user community has a sense of the revisions under consideration.

After the ALA annual meeting last summer, a SAC subcommittee was formed to provide input on the draft revision for 540 Chemistry, which was posted on the Dewey Web site. EPC accepted and discussed the subcommittee's recommendations, along with comments from France and others. The general response was favorable, and the editors will incorporate the reviewers' comments. EPC is expected to approve the revision for 540 Chemistry at its next meeting.

EPC approved updates to three parts of the classification: 560-590 Life sciences, 700 The Arts to accommodate new topics and selective regularization for historical and geographical treatment, and 360 Social problems and services; Associations. In addition, EPC approved revisions to the Abridged Table 1 Standard Subdivisions, although proposed changes to the table of preference will be revisited at the next meeting. Finally, EPC approved discontinuation of DC& after volume 6, number 3. Corrections, changes, and updates will continue to be distributed via the Dewey Web site.

EPC is scheduled to meet again May 3-5, 2000, in Washington, D.C.

Further Information

Questions or comments on EPC activities may be directed to the ALA liaison:

Pamela P. Brown, Information Technology Services Director
Suburban Library System
125 Tower Drive
Burr Ridge, IL 60521
Phone: 630/734-5126
Fax: 630/734-5050
E-mail: brownp@sls.lib.il.us