Classification of library materials on Islam: a literature survey Haroon Idrees IRI, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan, and Berlin School of Library & Information Science, Humboldt University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany Abstract Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop understanding of the problems of classification, to discover the classification practices of libraries with rich collections on Islam cited in the literature, to find the gaps, and to determine the point from which to start work on further development. Design/methodology/approach – Published and unpublished literature, both print and electronic, that is relevant to the problem was reviewed objectively in the compilation of this paper. Findings – Standard classification systems lack proper space for materials on Islam for two reasons: less awareness on the part of devisers of the depth and variety of Islamic topics; and their bias and lack of interest in Islam. Different indigenous classification systems and expansions have been developed, using either the original notation or alternative notations. Some systems have been developed without following any standards or logic. This study has revealed a need for empirical study of libraries with rich collections on Islam in order to gain a better understanding of the problem and find an optimal solution. Research limitations/implications – No empirical field data are included in this study. This is a review of the literature. Originality/value – The author indicates the current situation of the problem and a potential framework for its solution. Keywords Islam, Classification schemes, Cataloguing, Libraries Paper type Literature review Introduction Classification plays a significant role in the organisation, physical arrangement, access to, and retrieval of library materials. Different standard classification systems have been developed for this purpose. Most of these systems have been developed by Western authors. The authors of these systems were of such a background that they provided a sufficient place for the fields of Western knowledge in their schemes, but these schemes lack adequate room for Eastern/Oriental fields of knowledge, languages and literature. The class of religion is also among such grey areas where these systems cannot maintain a balance. Libraries that have a considerable amount of literature/collections on Islam and its related disciplines are facing problems of classifying and arranging these materials in a way that helps and supports library users effectively and efficiently. The reason for this problem is the unavailability of a suitable, comprehensive classification system to cover all the aspects of Islamic literature. For example, the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC), which is a widely used scheme in libraries throughout the world (Chan, 1981), has provided only one notation out of 1,000 for Islam (i.e. 297). This notation has been provided with further extensions, but these are insufficient and The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at www.emeraldinsight.com/1065-075X.htm OCLC 27,2 124 Received July 2010 Revised October 2010 Accepted December 2010 OCLC Systems & Services: International digital library perspectives Vol. 27 No. 2, 2011 pp. 124-145 q Emerald Group Publishing Limited 1065-075X DOI 10.1108/10650751111135427