Fus Fixico Classification System

Fus Fixico Classification System

HEATHER D. HUTTO, MSLS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, BRISTOW PUBLIC LIBRARY

Contents

• Motivations for the system’s creation (and the creation of the Choska Talfa Room)

• Prior Attempts: TJH Pryor Public Library, Information Organization Project (University of North Texas)
• Classification System (BETA), Space for Evolving Controlled Vocabularies & Improved Metadata
• Cataloging in system
• Summer 2024- Cataloging Workflows, system refinement.

• Questions; Call for input!

Fus Fixico Classification System

MOTIVATION FOR SYSTEM’S CREATION

Motivation for System’s creation

Student Gaps

Cultural Gaps

Combat Misinformation

Many students in Oklahoma have education gaps, especially pertaining to Oklahoma and Tribal History.

Many adults have education and knowledge gaps. As a public library, we have an opportunity to reach beyond K12 and address these knowledge gaps.

Decades of these education and knowledge gaps have contributed to a proliferation of misinformation, especially pertaining to sovereign tribal nations (e.g. This article by MFM citing the Edmond Territorial Schoolhouse as “the oldest in Oklahoma”

Motivation for System’s creation

OK History

Territorial History

Indigenous History

Oklahoma history is far too nuanced to relegate to a mere call number (976.6); we sought a system that could better represent the state’s unique histories.

More specifically, the state’s history as a territory set aside specifically to serve as a reservation for Indigenous sovereign nations lends much to the special and unique aspects of Oklahoma history that nearly all other states lack. We needed a system that could better represent that fact.

Commonly used Systems (Dewey) do NOT allow for equitable representation of Indigenous First Nations. Oklahoma has 39 sovereign tribal nations; therefore equitably representing all of these nations, as well as Indigenous modes of thought, has been a paramount objective (see also: Brian Deer Classification System).

Fus Fixico Classification System

PRIOR ITERATIONS (INFORMATION ORGANIZATION PROJECT)

Information Organization Project

Criteria

Authority Control

Livable, Dynamic

The structure of the system must be Indigenous-informed; ideally they will be strongly influenced by Indigenous ways of thinking instead of solely or mostly being Western-influenced. Notwithstanding, must be user friendly, for all.

Any organizational schema we devise must be flexible and allow for change in tandem with improved Library of Congress Subject Headings and adoption of improved metadata.

Resources must pertain to 1) tribal, territorial, or Oklahoma History, and/or 2) Genealogy.

Fus Fixico Classification System

CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM CREATION AND USE (BETA)

System Creation and Use (BETA)

IOP

CONTROLLED VOCABULARY

Use

The Information Organization Project, a requirement of the MSLS Program at the university of North Texas, provided the opportunity to build a prototype.

Since the organizational structures must be Indigenous-informed, we took much influence from the Brian Deer Classification System (BDCS).

Working with visiting student groups helps us better ascertain how modifications to the system may ensure more successful collocation.

Fus Fixico Classification System

PROVIDES SPACE FOR EVOLVING METADATA

Dynamic and Indigenous-focused Authority Control

Dynamic

Native-Focused

FFCS & Future Use

As it evolves, we seek more LIS professionals (especially those with domain knowledge pertaining to OK History and Indigenous perspectives, cultures, and histories) to weigh in with their thoughts!

Indigenous opinions from everything from controlled vocabularies to how their nations are represented are our top priority.

We hope other OK libraries will adopt the FFCS to use in their local history collections. FFCS can also help inform and influence other states with indigenous populations achieve more equitable representation.

Fus Fixico Classification System

IMPLEMENTING FFCS

Implementing FFCS

Analyzing Collections

Classification Systems

Time

Large projects like this in a library take time. Creating a new classification system is no small feat. Small libraries have limited staff to work on projects, increasing the time it takes.

Classifications systems start with very broad topics that are subdivided into many subtopics that get more specific. Our main topics included reference, genealogy, Indigenous history, and Oklahoma history.

Existing special collections helped expedite this process - like the Oklahoma authors collection. The main nonfiction section had to be searched for books that fit into FFCS. Duplicate items may have a spot in CF and the main collection.

Implementing FFCS

Recataloging

Subject Headings

After Implemenation

The standard Dewey Decimal number had to be changed to FFCS. This led to us finding where FFCS fell short and updating it as necessary. We also faced issues of finding the right topic for some books, which is a common problem in any classification system.

During the recataloging, we also updated suject headings from "Indian" to "Indigenous". The Library of Congress is slow at updating terms, so many libraries, like ours, are heading up this issue ourselves.

After the initial implementation, we focused on spreading awareness of our collection and resources, teaching users how to use and search FFCS, and cataloging new CF materials as well.

Continuing FFCS

Reaching Out

Focusing Scope

Two Steps Forward...

While the "Beta" implementation of FFCS was fairly broad in its coverage, the system was adjusted to focus specifically on Oklahoma tribes and heritage for the sake of organization.

While cataloging, we would find items that needed new sections added to cover them. When these sections were added or changed, other items often had to be recatalogued to match.

We continued to spread awareness of FFCS and the Choska Talfa room, reaching out to groups inside and outside the state for assistance and input.

Fus Fixico Classification System: Call for Input!

Questions? Comments? Contact: Heather.d.hutto@gmail.com

Fus Fixico Classification System Thank you for your time!

Contact: Heather.d.hutto@gmail.com