The Library of Congress Classification
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Transcript of The Library of Congress Classification
The Library of Congress
ClassificationDaryl L. Superio
SEAFDEC/AQD Library
History
was developed for Library of Congress library collections in 1897 James Hanson Charles Martel
based on Expansive Classification was based on LC collections each schedule was developed by its
group of subject specialists
History
Early developments E-F: History of America (Western
Hemisphere)- first schedule to be developed, 1901
Z: Bibliography, Library Science, 1902
Versions
Library of Congress Classification, Print
Classification Plus Super LCC
Basic Principles and Structure enumerative has twenty one (21) main classes consist of forty-one (41) printed schedules Notation, is alphanumeric
starts with one, two or three letters followed by a number up to four digits sometimes followed by a decimal number followed by an alphanumeric (the cutter
number) ends with a date of publication
Basic Principles and Structure Hierarchy
uses main classes and sub-classes arranged from general to specific page layout convey hierarchy and
meaning
Number building an enumerative system uses number building to expand the
scheme
Basic Principles and Structure
Revisions Schedules are
revised individually revised not at the same time additions and changes are continuous
Advantages new classes, subclasses and topics can
be added unique number can be assigned to a
work
Basic Principles and Structure
Advantages cutter numbers are flexible available in LC MARC funded by Library of Congress
Basic Principles and Structure Disadvantages
large number of schedule no overall index American emphasis in geographical arrangement time lag between the revision of schedules changes need to be checked in supplementary
publications new editions often require reclassification
decisions little documentation on how to use the
classification classification depends on acquisitions of the LC
Congress
Structure of Library of Congress Classification
Main Classes expressed
alphabetically letters I, O, W,
X, Y- not been assigned
Structure of Library of Congress Classification
Subclasses every classes
have subclasses
Structure of Library of Congress Classification
Schedules there are 41
individual schedules for the main classes and subclasses
Structure of Library of Congress Classification
physical format of the schedule
Preface gives the history explains changes
Structure of Library of Congress Classification
physical format of the schedule
content page, lists the:
outline subclasses tables index
Structure of Library of Congress Classification
physical format of the schedule
outline summarizes the
topics and subtopics
gives an overall picture of the arrangement
Structure of Library of Congress Classification
physical format of the schedule
the body of the schedule been developed by separate group of
subject specialist arranged from general to specific indentation shows hierarchical
relationships
Structure of Library of Congress Classification
physical format of the schedule
indentation shows hierarchy top of the pages,
serves to put the topics on the page in context
summarizes the hierarchy
Structure of Library of Congress Classification
physical format of the schedule
notes accompany LC class numbers and
headings indicates the scope refers the classifier to another
number
Structure of Library of Congress Classification
Types of Notes:
scope notes explain the type of works to be classified at
the subject may refer the classifier to related topics
elsewhere
Example at, QH 540:
Structure of Library of Congress Classification
Types of Notes:
including notes list topics which are included within the
subject
Example at, Animal Culture SF 101:
Structure of Library of Congress Classification
Types of Notes:
see notes refer the classifier to a number, elsewhere in the
schedule number in parenthesis indicates that the number
is no longer in use, and a see reference is given
Example at, QH 540:
Structure of Library of Congress Classification
Types of Notes:
confer notes (Cf) indicate that related topics are classed elsewhere
in the schedule
Example at, QH 540:
Structure of Library of Congress Classification
Types of Notes:
apply table at notes refer the classifier to a table with subdivision
instructions
Example at, NK 3650.5 A-Z:
Structure of Library of Congress Classification
Types of Notes:
other notes used in the schedules, most of it is self
explanatory
Structure of Library of Congress Classification
tables all schedules have tables within the body at the back of the schedule before
the index
Type of Tables
Table within the BodyTable at the Back of the
Schedule
Index
a detailed in every schedule
refers classifier to a specific LC number
the first place to go when classifying
no general index
Notation
Call numbers (Symbols) are alphanumeric mixed notation two main parts
Class number, may consist of: the class or subclass letters a whole number decimal extension cutter numbers
The Book number cutter number year of publication
Call numbers (Symbols)
Example: An introductory text on geometry by Andrew
Brady, published in 1998QA445.B731998
QA represents the subclass mathematics from the Q schedule
445 subdivides mathematics more specifically to Geometry
.B73
is the cutter number based on the main entry of the bibliographic record (which could be a personal author, corporate author or the title of the work)*in this call number the main entry is the author. The cutter number is: - preceded by a decimal point - constructed using the Library of Congress Cutter Table
1998 is the date of publication
Cutter Numbers
used for alphabetical arrangement of materials in the shelf
derived from the name of Charles Ammi Cutter
special needs of its collections
Cutter Numbers
used to give a unique call number to indicate the specific title to indicate the geographical area to indicate special topic covered by
a work used in shelving
Cutter Numbers
begins with the first letter of a word
followed by a decimal number always preceded by a decimal
point formed using a table
LC Cutter Table
Cuttering and the LC Filing Rules
Date of Publication in Call Numbers
Date of Publication in Call Numbers
in congresses or conferences the use of work letters
work with different edition but same imprint
for facsimile editions work with same topic, published in the
same year and same corporate author as main entry
Hospitality
the degree in which the system is able to accommodate new subjects
Mnemonics
not an inherent characteristic of LC
Tables
o are used in LCC for two main reasons: to save space to assign a more specific call number
o are included in almost all scheduleso schedules H, N, P, B and L—contains more
tableso schedules K and P have separate tableso tables which apply generally across all
schedules o tables which apply only to specific subject or
subclass
Types of tables:
type 1 table- table within the schedules type 2 table- table within the schedules type 3 table- table within the schedules type 4 table- table within the schedules + table at
the back of the schedule Biography table Translation table Language and literature tables Form Division Tables For Law
References
Dittman, H. & Hardy, J. (2000). Learn Library of Congress classification. Campbell, ACT: DocMatrix.
Find product services. (n. d.). Library of Congress, Cataloging Distribution Service. Retrieved on 18 Aug. 2012, from http://www.loc.gov/cds/products/index.php.
Library of Congress classification. (2010). Wikipedia: the free encyclopedia. Retrieved on 24 September 2010, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Library_of_Congr ess_Classification