Decimal Classification Editorial Policy Committee (EPC)

ALA ALCTS CCS Subject Analysis Committee Midwinter Report
January 2001

The 115th meeting of the EPC was convened on November 29-December 1, 2000, in Washington, D.C., by its chair, Andrea Stamm. Lucy Evans, who is the United Kingdom representative, was elected to a two-year term as vice-chair. This was the first meeting for Arlene Taylor, who is from the University of Pittsburgh. It was also the final meeting for David Balatti, National Library of Canada, and for Pamela Brown, the ALA official representative, and they were feted by their colleagues.

At this meeting EPC reviewed a long list of proposals and approved the following:

• Fine tuning for 350 Public Administration
• Revision of 340 Law
• Revision of 004-006 Data processing, Computer science
• Revision of 305-306 Social groups, culture and institutions
• Updates for 200 Religion to continue the editorial commitment to minimize Christian bias
• Revisions for the Abridged edition in areas where changes have already been approved for the Unabridged
• Updates for Table 2 481-484 Norway
• Updates for 948 Scandinavia, 949.12 Iceland, and 400 and 800 Scandinavian languages and literatures
• New numbers for the next United States President

The last three updates, along with the recent change and expansion in the handling of sign languages, were approved for release as updates to the current editions of the DDC.

In addition, EPC considered an update for 380 Commerce, Communications, Transportation, with discussion about e-commerce scheduled for the next meeting. The committee also considered fine-tuning for 390 Customs, Etiquette, Folklore, in part to clarify the distinctions between carnivals and festivals internationally, and for 640 Home and family management.

I want to thank the SAC subcommittees that provided input on three of the proposals EPC considered at this meeting: 340 Law; 004-006 Data Processing, Computer Science; and 305-306 Social groups, culture and institutions. In each case the subcommittee was appointed promptly, worked through exclusively electronic means, and produced a report with recommendations in time for EPC's consideration. Each of the reports was clearly stated and along with similar documents from other, international groups, made a valuable contribution to EPC's discussions. Most aspects of each proposal under consideration were accepted with only minor editorial change. Thanks to the outside review process, EPC has a high degree of confidence that these revisions will be accepted by the Dewey community. This is an invaluable contribution for EPC's work.

In anticipation of EPC's Spring 2001 meeting, I am requesting that SAC appoint a subcommittee to review a proposal for revision of 510 Mathematics. The editors need comments by March 16, 2001, in order to make the necessary adjustments in time for consideration by EPC. The ALA representative will also need this input for the EPC discussion. The proposal represents the first major update in this area since Edition 18 (1971) and makes provision for many new topics.

EPC is scheduled to meet again May 9-11, 2001, in Washington, D.C.

Further Information

Please contact me with questions or comments on EPC activities:

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