The Brian Deer Classification System (BDC) is a library classification system used to organize materials in libraries with specialized Indigenous collections. The system was created in the mid-1970s by Canadian librarian A. Brian DeerKahnawake Mohawk. It has been adapted for use in a British Columbia version, and also by a small number of First Nations libraries in Canada.[1]
Deer designed his classification system while working in the library of the National Indian Brotherhood (now the Assembly of Nations) from 1974 to 1976. Instead of using a standard library classification scheme, such as that of the Library of Congress, he created a new system to organize the library's historic indigenous research materials and papers.[2] He later worked at the library of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs, where he developed a system for its holdings. He returned to Kahnawake, working at its Cultural Centre at Kahnawake and the Kahnawake Branch branch of the Mohawk Nation Office. His system was flexible, and he created new forms for their collections.[2]
The new systems Deer created were designed specifically for the materials in each collection according to the concerns of local Indigenous people at the time (for example, categories included land claims, treaty rights, resource management, and Elders' stories).[2][3] Between 1978 and 1980, the system was adapted for use in British Columbia by Gene Joseph and Keltie McCall while they were working at the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs, becoming known as BDC-BC.[1] Joseph later adapted it further for use at the library of the University of British Columbia, Vancouver.
Though the Brian Deer Classification was not created as a universal classification solution for Indigenous resources, the system has provided a foundation for specialized libraries to create their own localized classification schemes.[3][4]: 24
Variations of the Brian Deer Classification System are used in a small number of Canadian libraries.[1] One prominent library using BDC is the X̱wi7x̱wa Library at the University of British Columbia, which uses a British Columbia-focused version of BDC along with First Nations House of Learning subject headings.[1] The Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs Resource Centre issued a revised BDC-BC in 2014, with the goal of providing users with a more flexible and culturally appropriate approach to organizing their resources.[2]
The Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute in Oujé-Bougoumou, Quebec, implemented a local adaptation of BDC when they opened in 2012.[3][5]
The high-level organizational structure of BDC reflects a First Nations worldview, with an emphasis on relationships between and among people, animals, and the land.[4]: 22 Subcategories demonstrate the relationships among First Nations by grouping them geographically as opposed to alphabetically; the latter is a practice frequently used for specific topics in the Library of Congress Classification.[4]: 20 [7]
The top-level hierarchy of the X̱wi7x̱wa Library adaptation of BDC-BC demonstrates the emphasis on access to subjects prioritized by a First Nation collection:[8][9]: 21
Reference Materials
Local History
History
International
Education
Economic Development
Housing and Community Development
Criminal Justice System
Constitution (Canada) and First Nations
Self Government
Rights and Title
Natural Resources
Community Resources
Health
World View
Fine Arts
Languages
Literature
The system is not designed to provide a comprehensive description of all topics of interest to North American Indigenous peoples; in addition, its use is limited in scope, being intended for small and specialized libraries.[2][9]: 22 While English is used in the classification scheme as a common language among First Nations peoples and non-Indigenous library users, Indigenous spellings and terminology that local library users would expect to find are used to provide access.[4]: 20 [2] Short and easily remembered call numbers are used to facilitate use by both library workers and patrons, with the recognition that Indigenous libraries often have a small staff and limited resources to devote to cataloging.[2][9]: 21 Beyond its simplicity, one potential drawback of the system is its shortage of clear guidelines for application, which provides flexibility but can also result in inconsistencies within and between library catalogs.[9]: 21 [4]: 23
Because few libraries use the BDC and there are limited examples for use as case studies, implementing the system and keeping it up-to-date can prove a challenge for libraries with limited resources.[9]: 27 [4]: 18 However, X̱wi7x̱wa Library head librarian Ann Doyle describes the system as "an important part of the body of Indigenous scholarship" that should be retained as a reflection of Indigenous worldviews, as well as for ease of access for Indigenous library users.[9]: 27
References
^ abcdDoyle, Ann M.; Lawson, Kimberley; Dupont, Sarah (December 2015). "Indigenization of Knowledge Organization at the Xwi7xwa Library". Journal of Library and Information Studies. 13 (2): 112. doi:10.6182/jlis.2015.13(2).107. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
^ abcdefgCherry, Alissa; Mukunda, Keshav (31 Jul 2015). "A Case Study in Indigenous Classification: Revisiting and Reviving the Brian Deer Scheme". Cataloging & Classification Quarterly. 53 (5–6): 548–567. doi:10.1080/01639374.2015.1008717. S2CID 53748787.
^ abcSwanson, Raegan (31 July 2015). "Adapting the Brian Deer Classification System for Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute". Cataloging & Classification Quarterly. 53 (5–6): 568–579. doi:10.1080/01639374.2015.1009669. S2CID 60963200.
^ abcdefGilman, Isaac (March 2006). From Marginalization to Accessibility: Classification of Indigenous Materials (MLIS). Pacific University. Retrieved 1 February 2019.
^Bosum, Annie; Dunne, Ashley (31 Oct 2017). "Implementing the Brian Deer Classification Scheme for Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute". Collection Management. 42 (3–4): 280–293. doi:10.1080/01462679.2017.1340858. S2CID 196152853.
^Szeto, Winston (16 September 2020). "B.C. First Nations council is moving to Indigenous-developed library system". CBC News. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
^Lin, Brian (2006). "Stubbornness kept unique library open". Raven's Eye. 9 (8). Retrieved 2 February 2019.
^ abcdefTomren, Holly (2004). "Classification, Bias, and American Indian Materials" (PDF). Retrieved 2 February 2019.
External links
Brian Deer Classification System as adapted by the X̱wi7x̱wa Library
January 04, 2023
brian, deer, classification, system, library, classification, system, used, organize, materials, libraries, with, specialized, indigenous, collections, system, created, 1970s, canadian, librarian, brian, deer, kahnawake, mohawk, been, adapted, british, columbi. The Brian Deer Classification System BDC is a library classification system used to organize materials in libraries with specialized Indigenous collections The system was created in the mid 1970s by Canadian librarian A Brian Deer Kahnawake Mohawk It has been adapted for use in a British Columbia version and also by a small number of First Nations libraries in Canada 1 Contents 1 History and usage 2 Structure 3 References 4 External linksHistory and usage EditDeer designed his classification system while working in the library of the National Indian Brotherhood now the Assembly of Nations from 1974 to 1976 Instead of using a standard library classification scheme such as that of the Library of Congress he created a new system to organize the library s historic indigenous research materials and papers 2 He later worked at the library of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs where he developed a system for its holdings He returned to Kahnawake working at its Cultural Centre at Kahnawake and the Kahnawake Branch branch of the Mohawk Nation Office His system was flexible and he created new forms for their collections 2 The new systems Deer created were designed specifically for the materials in each collection according to the concerns of local Indigenous people at the time for example categories included land claims treaty rights resource management and Elders stories 2 3 Between 1978 and 1980 the system was adapted for use in British Columbia by Gene Joseph and Keltie McCall while they were working at the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs becoming known as BDC BC 1 Joseph later adapted it further for use at the library of the University of British Columbia Vancouver Though the Brian Deer Classification was not created as a universal classification solution for Indigenous resources the system has provided a foundation for specialized libraries to create their own localized classification schemes 3 4 24 Variations of the Brian Deer Classification System are used in a small number of Canadian libraries 1 One prominent library using BDC is the X wi7x wa Library at the University of British Columbia which uses a British Columbia focused version of BDC along with First Nations House of Learning subject headings 1 The Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs Resource Centre issued a revised BDC BC in 2014 with the goal of providing users with a more flexible and culturally appropriate approach to organizing their resources 2 The Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute in Ouje Bougoumou Quebec implemented a local adaptation of BDC when they opened in 2012 3 5 In 2020 the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council in Prince George British Columbia shifted from organizing its library with the Dewey Decimal Classification to using a version of the BDC They added new subject heading categories for topics of local interest such as the crisis of Missing and murdered Indigenous women 6 Structure EditThe high level organizational structure of BDC reflects a First Nations worldview with an emphasis on relationships between and among people animals and the land 4 22 Subcategories demonstrate the relationships among First Nations by grouping them geographically as opposed to alphabetically the latter is a practice frequently used for specific topics in the Library of Congress Classification 4 20 7 The top level hierarchy of the X wi7x wa Library adaptation of BDC BC demonstrates the emphasis on access to subjects prioritized by a First Nation collection 8 9 21 Reference Materials Local History History International Education Economic Development Housing and Community Development Criminal Justice System Constitution Canada and First Nations Self Government Rights and Title Natural Resources Community Resources Health World View Fine Arts Languages LiteratureThe system is not designed to provide a comprehensive description of all topics of interest to North American Indigenous peoples in addition its use is limited in scope being intended for small and specialized libraries 2 9 22 While English is used in the classification scheme as a common language among First Nations peoples and non Indigenous library users Indigenous spellings and terminology that local library users would expect to find are used to provide access 4 20 2 Short and easily remembered call numbers are used to facilitate use by both library workers and patrons with the recognition that Indigenous libraries often have a small staff and limited resources to devote to cataloging 2 9 21 Beyond its simplicity one potential drawback of the system is its shortage of clear guidelines for application which provides flexibility but can also result in inconsistencies within and between library catalogs 9 21 4 23 Because few libraries use the BDC and there are limited examples for use as case studies implementing the system and keeping it up to date can prove a challenge for libraries with limited resources 9 27 4 18 However X wi7x wa Library head librarian Ann Doyle describes the system as an important part of the body of Indigenous scholarship that should be retained as a reflection of Indigenous worldviews as well as for ease of access for Indigenous library users 9 27 References Edit a b c d Doyle Ann M Lawson Kimberley Dupont Sarah December 2015 Indigenization of Knowledge Organization at the Xwi7xwa Library Journal of Library and Information Studies 13 2 112 doi 10 6182 jlis 2015 13 2 107 Retrieved 11 March 2016 a b c d e f g Cherry Alissa Mukunda Keshav 31 Jul 2015 A Case Study in Indigenous Classification Revisiting and Reviving the Brian Deer Scheme Cataloging amp Classification Quarterly 53 5 6 548 567 doi 10 1080 01639374 2015 1008717 S2CID 53748787 a b c Swanson Raegan 31 July 2015 Adapting the Brian Deer Classification System for Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute Cataloging amp Classification Quarterly 53 5 6 568 579 doi 10 1080 01639374 2015 1009669 S2CID 60963200 a b c d e f Gilman Isaac March 2006 From Marginalization to Accessibility Classification of Indigenous Materials MLIS Pacific University Retrieved 1 February 2019 Bosum Annie Dunne Ashley 31 Oct 2017 Implementing the Brian Deer Classification Scheme for Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute Collection Management 42 3 4 280 293 doi 10 1080 01462679 2017 1340858 S2CID 196152853 Szeto Winston 16 September 2020 B C First Nations council is moving to Indigenous developed library system CBC News Retrieved 22 October 2020 Lin Brian 2006 Stubbornness kept unique library open Raven s Eye 9 8 Retrieved 2 February 2019 Brian Deer Classification Scheme PDF Xwi7xwa Library Retrieved 2 February 2019 a b c d e f Tomren Holly 2004 Classification Bias and American Indian Materials PDF Retrieved 2 February 2019 External links EditBrian Deer Classification System as adapted by the X wi7x wa Library Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Brian Deer Classification System amp oldid 1069142523, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
