Introducing the Library of Congress Classification LCCS Training Sessions OSU July 2007

History LC Classification schedules developed Emphasized LC’s collection strengths: social sciences (political science, law, history) Originally, little emphasis on humanities, religion & philosophy

History (cont.) In early years, schedules revised periodically Today, schedules are revised continuously (see Weekly Lists) Some schedules only recently published: – KBR, history of canon law, 2001 – KBU, law of the Roman Catholic Church, 2001 – KBM, Jewish law, 2002 – KBP, Islamic law, 2002

Characteristics Enumerative - every topic explicitly listed No synthetic features 3½ shelf feet long!

Characteristics (cont.) Nonexpressive: notation does not reflect hierarchical relationships Example: QH Life QH Ecology QH Cytology

Hospitality Very hospitable: capacity to accommodate changes is very great Gaps in lettering and numbering can be used for new topics Decimal numbers can be added Examples: Subclass ZA (information resources) added to Z class in 1996 N V53 Video artadded April 13,

Classification Tools Library of Congress Classification Schedules Classification Web (also includes Library of Congress Subject Headings) Subject Cataloging Manual: Classification Subject Cataloging Manual: Shelflisting Cataloger’s Desktop on the Web Cataloging Calculator Library of Congress Filing Rules

Classification Guidelines F10, General Principles of Classification (SCM:Classification) Eight principles – some obvious, some peculiar to LCCS

“Class works according to their subject matter” Must determine their subject matter first Not classed according to size or date of receipt Generally not classed according to format – with exceptions

Classing by Form “Class a work by its specific subject, not by its form under a broader topic” – Example: Class a journal on sanitation in RA567 (Sanitation. Waste disposal. Sewage disposal – General works) Not in the broader class RA565.A1 (Environmental health -- Periodicals. Societies. Serials)

Classing by Form (cont.) Within a given topical area, class by subject, ignoring form unless form captions have been established under the subject. Most common form caption: Periodicals. Societies. Serials

Classing by Place If choosing between classing by specific subject and classing by place, prefer classification by the subject Example: Penguins of Antarctica QL696.S473Spheniscidae (Penguins) Not QL695.2 Birds of Antarctica

Classing by Place (cont.) Exceptions: Class by place if there are contrary instructions Class by place if precedent (the shelflist) clearly indicates otherwise

Specificity Use the most specific number available. Use a broader number only if no specific number is available and it is not feasible to establish one.

Multiple subjects Where several subjects are discussed in a work, choose the classification number: – according to instructions printed in the schedules Example: A popular work (i.e., not scientific) on domesticated mammals could be classed with popular works on mammals or works on domesticated animals QL706 Mammals -- Popular works For popular works on domestic animals see SF41

Multiple subjects (cont.) Where several subjects are discussed in a work, choose the classification number: – according to dominant subject (as represented by the first subject heading on the record) – that matches the first subject mentioned in the work being cataloged – for a broader subject if the work deals with several subjects that, taken together, constitute a major part of a larger subject

Multiple Classes In problematic cases where several numbers appear satisfactory, class according to – the intent of the author, or – where it appears that the work would be most usefully located

Influence of One Subject on Another Class works on the influence of one subject on another with the subject influenced Example: The effect of oil pollution on fish culture SH177.O53Fish culture--Diseases and adverse factors Not TD427.P4Water pollution -- Petroleum