Call Numbers: Classification Policy & Accepting and Creating LC Classification Numbers
Scope:
Contact: Natalie Sommerville
Note to reviewer: Hyperlink highlighted in red below is no longer active
Unit: Resource Description
Date last reviewed: September 28, 2020
Date of next review: September 28, 2021
CLASSIFICATION POLICY
With a few exceptions (see paragraph below) current cataloging and recon for the regular collection are done in LC. Recon for the LSC (most recon) may be done in Dewey, or reclassified to LC at the discretion of the cataloger. If there is an LC number on copy, it should be used. Labels are not printed for recon for the LSC. Cover the Dewey number with the LSC label.
A-V materials and microforms are assigned accession numbers rather than classification numbers. Other special schemes, such as those for theses, are noted in the Aleph Collections chart.
New gifts designated for the LSC are classified in LC, but call number labels are not printed. (Prior to March 16, 2009, accession numbers beginning GX were used for gifts designated for the LSC)
Sound disc gifts cataloged by Music students are part of a special project and go to LSC. They are not assigned accession numbers. Any call numbers already in the record are ignored. All LPs go to LSC. Since all LPs go to LSC, the LSC sticker is not required on the label.
Added copies to books with Dewey call numbers should be referred to Holdings Management.
For sets and series in Dewey in LSC, assign an LC number when new volumes are received. There will be two holdings records, one for the old volumes in Dewey, and one for the new volumes in LC. If the set is moved to the regular collections, all items will be moved to the LC holdings record, and labels will be printed.
ACCEPTING AND CREATING LC CLASSIFICATION NUMBERS
Copy catalogers generally accept LC call numbers (050 and 090) on copy, whether LC or member. Local variations in subfield b (for example, the letter x following the date) are accepted, though we wouldn't use them on numbers we create.
Exceptions:
1. On older copy (and some current records), the call number may lack a publication date. Add this.
2. If a number includes a plus sign or asterisk, this indicates that the cutter has not been completed. Send the item to CatS. Call numbers without a $$b also need to go to CatS.
Click here for more information on Common Patterns of LC Call Numbers
Original catalogers working with copy may use their judgment in checking and correcting classification numbers, but should generally accept them, as is done by copy catalogers.
For exceptions 2-4 above, call numbers added to copy, and original cataloging, use the current LC schedules (excepting the ranges Z5051-Z6620 and Z6626-Z8999) and the following cuttering guidelines:
For any cutters that are part of classification (usually the $a) follow the schedule, LC's shelflist and/or the authority file for literary authors. Using the same cutters as LC in $a's will keep together works by and about literary authors, "countries A-Z" etc.
For literary authors, the 053 field in the authority record is the most authoritative (and convenient) source for the classification number, but not all established numbers are recorded. Numbers found in LC's shelflist may be added to authority records. If LC has not established a number anywhere, the form at https://www.loc.gov/catdir/pcc/053/053prop.html can be used to propose an 053 field. Proposed numbers are often adjusted because in "shelflisting" against the LC catalog, we cannot see numbers which other libraries have added to authority records, but which LC has not used. Addition of all 053 fields to authority records, like all NACO work, is optional, and completely at the discretion of the individual cataloger. It is, however, often a simple process and a service to the cataloging community.
For cutters that are part of shelflisting (usually the $b), generally construct 3 digit cutter numbers without checking the shelflist, using either the cutter tables or the cataloging calculator. For literary authors, the second cutter is usually to title, and the 3 digit cutter should almost always achieve alphabetical arrangement for individual works. When the second cutter is to main entry, checking the shelflist would theoretically keep books on a subject in perfect alphabetical arrangement by author, but we are accepting all kinds of numbers in reclassification, so we know we're not going to achieve this. The 3 digit cutter should help avoid duplicate call numbers while keeping authors roughly in alphabetical order. Shorter cutters may be used at the judgment of the cataloger, for example for the titles of literary works.
The final element of the call number is the imprint date. For LC's guidelines, with some local notes, click here.
Examples (these are all real examples, and can be found in our catalog):
PQ2603.O533 $b P535 2001
"Planches courbes" by Yves Bonnefoy. First cutter is from the LC authority file, second cutter is to title, from the cutter table. Contrast with the first example under exceptions below.
BX8023.H28 $b R458 2003
A book on the Lutheran Church in Hamburg, by Annegret Reitz-Dinse. "H28" cutter for Hamburg is printed in schedules. By the cutter table, it would be H36. "R458" is main entry cutter constructed from the tables, without checking the shelflist.
BX9436.Z8 $b K573 2003
A book on the Reformed Church in Zurich, main entry under title, Die Kirche und ihre Ordnung. Schedules say Cantons, A-Z. Z8 is from the LC shelflist. "K573" is main entry cutter constructed from the cutter table, without checking the shelflist.
BV3 $b .A537 2003
A book on practical theology, main entry Albrecht, Christian. First (and only) cutter to Albrecht, constructed from the cutter table, without checking the shelflist.
PF3398.D44 $b E358 1995
Deixis und Anaphora / $c Yadigar Egit. "D44" is for other aspects, A-Z, Deixis from a table of special aspects of grammar. Second cutter for main entry, constructed from the cutter table, without checking the shelflist.
Exceptions:
Watch for cases when the second cutter is not to the main entry or the title. Follow the schedules, the LC shelflist and/or your judgment.
Sometimes the second cutter is spelled out in the schedules or associated tables. In the two examples below, a one or two digit cutter is taken from the tables, without expansion.
PQ2603.O533 $b A17 1982
A collection of poems by Yves Bonnefoy. First cutter is from the authority file, and the second is from Table P-PZ40, for collected poems. Contrast with the first example above for cuttering to title.
ND237.D468 $b A4 2002
Individual artist Di Leo Recatto, no works cataloged by LC. First cutter fits him in with other artists. By the table it would be D553. "A4" is from the table for individual artists--collections, including exhibitions.
In other cases, we may use a cutter longer than three digits for a crowded part of the schedules:
LC cataloging:
050 00 NA6840.F72 $b P3787 2000
100 1 Fontaine, Gerard, $d 1942-
245 12 L'Opera de Charles Garnier : $b architecture et decor exterieur
Duke cataloging for a very similar book by the same author:
050 4 NA6840.F72 $b P3788 2004
100 1 Fontaine, Gâerard, $d 1942-
245 12 L'Opera de Charles Garnier : $b architecture et decor interieur
F72 P38 is printed in the schedules for France-Paris-Opera House. Since there are lots of books about the Opera House, P37 ... has also been used. Changing one digit in LC's number for the similar book makes "interior" file after "exterieur".
When you've found LC copy or a record in our catalog for another edition, base your number on the existing number.
LC's number for the 1923 edition of the Prophet, by Kahlil Gibran:
PS3513.I25 $b P7 1923
Other editions in English will have the same classification number and cutter, with different dates. LC has PS3513.I25 $b P7 1946 and several other editions.
For translations, use the translation table to expand the cutter. We have a French translation:
PS3513.I25 $b P714 2003