Week 3 – Library Classification systems

Classification Systems

The two main classification systems used in libraries:

Library of Congress

Dewey Decimal

Facts about both systems:

Both systems organize by subject.

Both systems assign unique identifiers, in the form of numbers and letters. These are called call numbers

The LC system features letters and numbers, while the Dewey system features series of numbers.

Library of Congress

• The Library of Congress classification system is the system for organization of materials in most college and university libraries.

• It began as an organizational system for books held by the US Congress.

• Gradually the system was adapted by other institutions, in particular academic institutions and research libraries.

• The Library of Congress (at first a reference collection for US Congress) is now one of the largest collections of books and materials in the world.

Web Links for the Library of Congress:

Main Website: http://www.loc.gov/

Classification System: http://www.loc.gov/catdir/cpso/lcco/

Week 3 – Library Classification systems

Library of Congress Classification Classes and Subclasses

To see the Library of Congress Classifications, click on any link to see a .pdf or .doc file, which breaks down the call number subject areas into classes and subclasses.

http://www.loc.gov/catdir/cpso/lcco/

Main Features of LC Classification system

Week 3 – Library Classification systems

---The Library of Congress Classification System (LC) divides information by subject into sections by alphabetical labels. ---In the screenshot and link above, the initial letters organize the system by subjects

---These numbers do not indicate first letters of the subjects, ie, B is arbitrary ---- it does not stand for any subject within the classification.

---B, for example, includes philosophy, psychology and religion.

---Each main section has been given a letter. More letters and numbers are added until each item has a specific call number.

---Books are given their own unique call number. No other book in a library collection will have the same call number.

A book about sweatshops in industry, for example;

H Social Science

HD Industries Land Use Labor

HD 2337 Sweatshops

HD 2337 C36 2001 Can We Put an End to Sweatshops? Archon Fung, Dara O’Rourke, and Charles Sabel

•The RHC Library uses the Library of Congress classification system. See

our library handout which provides a brief outline of the LC system:

http://library.riohondo.edu/Research_Help/Orientation_Handouts/LibraryofCongress ClassificationSystem.pdf

See here for an example of LC call numbers on books:

Week 3 – Library Classification systems

Click here for a Handout from RHC Library Website about 'Understanding Call Numbers":

http://library.riohondo.edu/Research_Help/Orientation_Handouts/UnderstandingCal lNumbersF2010.pdf

You see that the parts of the call number signify different aspects of the book:

Top two lines: indicate subject of book

Third line: indicates author [letter and number]

Fourth link: indicates date of pub

Week 3 – Library Classification systems

Finding Materials in Other Collections

---The convenience of an organized classification used consistently, is that you will find materials organized in a similar way in any library collection.

---What if I went to UCLA or CSULB? Could I find the book above, under a same or similar call number?

A slight difference in the author designation, but basically a very similar classification for the book

Dewey Decimal System

Click here to see the Dewey Decimal system:

http://www.calstatela.edu/library/guides/Dclass.htm

---This system is used in most public libraries. Whittier Public Library, and the County Library system of Los Angeles both use this system. The Dewey system uses numbers, to classify materials by subject, in comparison to the alphanumeric system of the Library of Congress.

--- The answer is, yes!

Week 3 – Library Classification systems

---We will spend more time on the LC system, as it is the system used here at RHC, and the system used in academic institutions.

---However, be aware that public libraries organize materials differently that academic libraries.

---Public libraries base their services on the local communities they serve. A primary mission of public libraries is to encourage reading by all members of the communities which they serve. They often feature information about current authors and recommend good books on their websites.

See below for the County Libraries’ page on reading and recommendations:

http://www.colapublib.org/reading/

Public libraries often categorize materials by type. For example, they will shelve all fiction books together by author last name. Or they may organize books about hobbies or other interests together.

This is to serve the needs of their patrons, who are looking for leisure or school reading and are often looking for books by particular authors.

For quick reference, see this list from CSULA, describing the classes of the DD system:

http://www.calstatela.edu/library/guides/Dclass.htm

Additional links:

Library of Congress Classification System

<http://www.loc.gov/catdir/cpso/lcco/>

Dewey Decimal System

http://www.library.illinois.edu/ugl/about/dewey.html