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