aineistoluokitus

Aineistoluokitus is a Finnish term for the systematic classification of materials (aineisto) used in libraries, archives, museums, and other information institutions. It refers to a framework that organizes items into classes based on material type, subject matter, and other access points, often using codes or labels that support consistent cataloging and retrieval.

A typical aineistoluokitus includes several dimensions. Material type distinguishes formats such as books, journals, audiovisual media, maps, or digital data. Subject classification assigns topics or disciplines to items, usually through controlled vocabularies or ontologies. Additional dimensions may cover language, audience, rights, or access conditions. The classification is usually hierarchical, enabling broad categories to be subdivided into more specific subcategories, and is designed to work with metadata standards used in libraries and archives to facilitate indexing and interoperability.

The purpose of aineistoluokitus is to improve findability, support collection management, and aid interoperability across institutions. It helps with planning digitization, organizing large inventories, and enabling effective search and discovery for users. Implementing an aineistoluokitus requires governance, regular maintenance, and updates to reflect new material types, evolving terminology, and changes in user needs. In Finland, the concept is used across institutions and often guided by national or consortium-level guidelines to promote consistency and cross-institutional discoverability.

See also: Library classification, Metadata, Taxonomy, Controlled vocabulary, Subject headings.