Page 47 - DLIS103_LIBRARY_CLASSIFICATION_AND_CATALOGUING_THEORY

Library Classification and Cataloguing Theory

Notes Honolulu Community College Library, like many academic libraries in the United States,
uses Library of Congress Classification for call numbers. This system uses a combination
of letters and numbers to arrange materials by subjects.
Library of Congress Classification arranges materials by subjects in the following manner
The first sections of the call number represent the subject of the book.
The letter and decimal section of the call number often represents the author’s last
name.
And, as you recall, the last section of a call number is often the date of publication.
Example:

Title: What You Need to Know The first two lines describe the
About Developing Study Skills. subject of the book.
Taking Notes & Tests, Using LB2395 = Methods of Study,
Dictionaries & Libraries in Higher Education
Author: Coman, Marcia J. This line often represents the
author’s last name,
Call number LB2395 C65 1991 C65 = Coman
The year the book was published.

2. Reading Call Numbers: In Reading Call Numbers, the first line has alphabetical order, the
second line consists of whole number, the third line is the combination of a letter and
numbers, and fourth line consists of the year in which the book was published.
For example:

Read call numbers line by line:
Read the first line in alphabetical order:
A, B, BF, C, D ... L, LA, LB, LC, M, ML ...

Read the second line as a whole number:
1, 2, 3, 45, 100, 101, 1000, 2000, 2430...
The third line is a combination of a letter and numbers.
Read the letter alphabetically.
Read the number as decimal, e.g. C65 = 65, C724 = 724
(Some call numbers have more than one combination
letter-number line.)
This is the year the book was published
Chronological order: 1985, 1987, 1991, 1992 ...

3. What does the call number mean?
Remember that Library of Congress Classification arranges materials by subjects.
The first sections of the call number represent the subject of the book.
The letter-and-decimal section of the call number often represents the author's last name.
And, as you recall, the last section of a call number is often the date of publication.
For example:

Title: What You Need to Know The first two lines describe the
About Developing Study Skills. subject of the book.
Taking Notes & Tests, Using LB2395 = Methods of Study,
Dictionaries & Libraries in Higher Education
Author: Coman, Marcia J. This line often represents the
author’s last name,
Call number LB2395 C65 1991 C65 = Coman
The year the book was published.

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