Collection Management Source: www.libraries.Rutgers.edu Modified by Pamela Fox, June 29, 2015

Credits Designed by Edward Suarez Book Graphics by Rob Krack Supervised by Marie Brodman Updated by The LC Training Group- 2005 Collection Management Group

This lesson will introduce you to the Library of Congress Classification System Classification Theory. Call numbers components. Using the call numbers for shelving.

Section 1: Classification Theory

Classification Theory Libraries need an organizational system to find their materials. Libraries arrange materials on the shelves so that items on a given subject are found close to others on that subject. This is called a classification system.

Classification Theory One well-known system is Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) It is most frequently used in high school libraries and in many public libraries.

Classification Theory Many college and university libraries, however, use another one called the….. Library of Congress (LC) Classification System Because it was developed at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. in 1897.

Classification Theory The LC system of call numbers uses a series of letters and numbers to identify each book. Replace moby dick pic Call Number

Classification Theory Of the twenty-one broad classes of knowledge such as Religion, American History, etc., each one is given a Library of Congress class letter. Only five letters are not used : I, O, W, X and Y. Once the call number of a book has been decided, it is placed on the book as a label, usually on the spine of the book. That way it can be seen when the book is on the shelf.

Classification Theory A complete LC call number is actually composed of several parts: Subclass QA Subdivision 76.8 Cutter Number J66 Date 1988 Volume V.1

Classification Theory A vertical arrangement of call number components is the customary display used on books QA 76.8 .M3J66 1988 v.1 These call numbers can be found ...

Classification Theory Replace book picture On the Cover Or on the Spine

Cutter Numbers The second component of an LC call number is the Cutter Number, sometimes called the author number. It always begins with a decimal point, and consists of a series of letters and numbers. 1 3 9

Cutter Numbers Let’s look at the order given to books in the classes F21: F F F F F 21 21 21 21 21 .B4 .B45 .B5 .B73 .B8 Cutter numbers The order of the call numbers above shows that numerals in the Cutter Numbers are treated as Decimals rather than Whole Numbers. Decimal Numbers .4<.45<.5 Whole Numbers 4<5<45

Cutter Numbers Cutter numbers may be Single: .R44 .R47 A single Cutter Number begins with a decimal point, has a letter and one or more numbers. A Cutter Number may also be Double: .B8N39 .B8N4 .B82A5

Other Call Number Elements These elements may be….. Dates to indicate year of publication. PR .C67 1987 Date

Other Call Number Elements Additional elements may be.. HB 1 .A5 Ser. 1 v.1 no.5 Series Series designation (e.g. Ser.1, Ser.2, etc.) when the publisher has organized volumes into different groups or series.

Other Call Number Elements Additional elements may also be.. HB 1 .A5 Ser. 1 v.1 no.5 Volume Number Volume Number (v.) is used to identify one volume of a multi-volume work having single title. When periodical issues are bound together, a volume number is an important part of the call number.

Other Call Number Elements The final additional Element is…. M 3 .H46 Ser. 1 v.7 pt..5 Parts Designation Parts designation (pt.) to indicate that one volume has been divided into several parts.

Other Call Number Elements The various additional descriptors may be combined in different ways as needed to provide a unique location for each item in the library’s collection. M 3 .H46 Ser. 1 v.7 pt..5 M 3 .H46 Ser. 1 v.7 pt..6 M 3 .H46 Ser. 1 v.8 M 3 .H46 Ser. 1 v.8 pt.2 M 3 .H46 Ser. 1 v.8 pt.3 M 3 .H46 Ser. 1 v.8 pt.4

Using Call Number Elements Because there are so many different elements to call numbers, it can sometimes be confusing trying to determine what call numbers go in what order. To help you, remember the following rules. Single letters are shelved before double letters. Letters are shelved before numbers. Numbers in front of the first decimal are whole numbers, while those after the first decimal are considered groups of decimal numbers. Volume, copy number and/or date are information that may not appear on every call number. Nothing comes before something.

Using Call Number Elements Single letters are shelved before double letters. When you have a call number that starts with a single letter, all call numbers that start with that letter and an additional letter are shelved after it. Below, there are several call numbers from the K section that provide a good example of this. Double letters are also shelved before triple letters. K 172 .G59 1891 KF 129 .F32 c.2 KFN 15 .T2 pt.2 KG 19 .L5T6 1982 KL 9 .89.B4 v.2

Using Call Number Elements Letters are shelved before numbers. When you encounter a cutter number where there are no letters at the beginning of the cutter, it is shelved after the cutters with letters at the beginning. Be aware that some cutter numbers start on the same line as the base number, and some start on the next line. E 183 .L6 1999 E 183 .51 1983 E 184 .R73 v.12 E 184 .6 1998 E 184.61 .C9 v.2

Using Call Number Elements Numbers in front of the first decimal are whole numbers, while those after the first decimal are considered groups of decimal numbers. Q 15 .5 1999 Q 153 .5 1999 Q 1569 .5 1999 Q 1569 .51 1999 Q 1569 .6 1999

Using Call Number Elements Volume, copy number and/or date are information that may not appear on every call number. Also notice that both copies of the 1st copy come before the second volume of this series. PR 153 .5 1998 PR 153 .5 1999 PR 153.62 v.1 PR 153.62 v.1 c.2 PR 153.62 v.2

Using Call Number Elements Nothing comes before something. If a call number is does not have an element, such as a cutter number, it is shelved before one that has a cutter. Think of an “invisible” zero cutter, or a place holder, that makes the call number without a cutter come before one that does. The same applies to other elements as well, like years and copies, as well as base numbers. PR 153 1998 PR 153 .5 PS .A18 1992 PS 154 v.3 PS 154 v.3 1998

Other Call Number Elements Copy Numbers In some libraries each copy of a title is designated by adding Copy 1 or Cop. 2 or C.3 to the call number of the title.

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