Introduction. This thesis is set in the field of critical knowledge organization and indigenous knowledge organi- zation. Building on the theory of domain analysis I chose the Saami Library in Sweden as the domain for this thesis. The purpose was to identify the structures of power affecting how the lives and experiences of the Saami people are represented in the library catalogue and in the classification systems used, and to examine the views on knowledge expressed in the classification systems. Theory and method. This thesis builds upon the writings on deconstruction. I seek to deconstruct the cata- logue and the classification system using tools derived from the writings of Jacques Derrida. Analysis. Nine posts from the catalogue, and the classification codes entered there were analysed. Emphasis was put on analysing the DDC classification as this is the primary classification system used. Results. From analysing the classifications and the catalogue posts I found that the representations of the Saami experiences varied depending on which subject class the book belonged to. A majority of the posts analysed were classified as social sciences in DDC whereas the classifications were more varied in the Swedish SAB- system. Conclusion. Two structures have been identified. The first structure places the Saami experiences as some- thing that is other, in relation to which the mainstream is defined. The second structure places the Saami experi- ences as part of a diversity, separate from the unity of the mainstream society. This structure only acknowledges the existence of diversity if this means that the position of the unity is strengthened. Concerning the second purpose of the thesis I find that a western knowledge perspective has got a hegemonic position in the DDC, which means that other knowledge systems such as indigenous knowledge is not seen as such but as something only related to a specific group. This is a two years master’s thesis in Library and Information Science.

The United Nations as well as the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions highlight the value and the need for appropriate knowledge organization of Indigenous knowledge in memory institutions. This paper seeks to contribute to research in the field of Indigenous librarianship. The purpose of the study is to investigate the need for Indigenous knowledge organization and information retrieval with the help of the following research questions: In what way are Indigenous knowledge systems affected by Western knowledge organization and classification structures? What tools and processes are required in order to implement Indigenous librarianship? Data collection includes semi-structured interviews in addition to literature and audiovisual review. The theoretical framework combines the themes of language revitalization, collaboration and relationality with discussions of indigenization and decolonization. The two cases studied are Indigenous librarianship in Aotearoa-New Zealand and Sweden. The results show that while the Western classification systems have shortcomings related to categorizing of Indigenous knowledge the thesaurus is a tool to work around this problem. The conclusion is that language-revitalization together with national and international collaboration is necessary to assure a deep understanding of Indigenous worldviews and knowledge organization.

This thesis investigates the oft-overlooked influence of the classifier's input during the assignment of library classifications and draws upon cultural transfer theory to shed light on the underlying principles that guide the process. Classifiers' personal knowledge, experience, and beliefs, have a critical role in determining the 'aboutness' of a work and its subsequent classification. To explore this theory, this research employs a dual-methods approach, using qualitative analysis of past literature contrasted with a data set formed through a real-world reclassification project at The Swedish Institute in Rome (ISVRoma) using the Library of Congress Classification scheme (LCC), with classifications in the catalogue of the American Academy in Rome (AARome) used for comparison. The resultant data provides a basis for examining the classifier's cultural input and the manifestation of cultural transfer theory in library classification. The findings of this thesis reveal the dynamic nature of classification, which is not a mere static or administrative task, but rather an evolving process deeply embedded in the societal and cultural context. Classifiers are found to act as interpreters, translators, and shapers of knowledge, bringing a profoundly human element to knowledge organisation and retrieval. The classifiers' craft, therefore, extends beyond the implementation of a systemic and controlled vocabulary and involves an active contribution of their knowledge and experience. This contributes to the overall flexibility and adaptability of the classification system. The thesis also underscores the necessity of reassessing our understanding of library classification systems, especially in light of AI's increasing role in this field.