Classification

• The intellectual process by which things or concepts

are organized to have likeness or unity and by this
Library of Congress Classification likeness or unity are set in relation to one another. The
sorting and grouping of things
• Purpose is to bring related items together in a helpful
sequence from the general to the specific
• Classification as a shelving device has two objectives:
– To help the user identify and locate a work through
call number (“mark it and park it”)
– To group all works of a kind together

Library of Congress Library of Congress

Classification (LCC) Classification (LCC)
• In 1897 it was decided to devise a new classification on the • Cutter's Outline of Classes was accepted, and reworked by
occasion of LC's moving into its new building. The James Hanson, Head of Cataloguing and Charles Martel,
approach was to be unified so as to unify the collection, Chief Classifier. The only change they made was to place
but diverse enough to allow the subject specialists in each the arts between the social sciences and the sciences
division to generate appropriate categories for their (Cutter had placed them at the end). The resulting outline
literatures. is still in use.
• Dewey's Decimal Classification and Cutter's Expansive • LCC originally designed and developed for use by LC
Classification, were examined and rejected. DDC was only. Designed only to classify books of LC collection
rejected because of Dewey's inflexibility. He would not • LCC based on literary warrant (reflecting LC’s holdings),
make changes that would disrupt the 100 libraries using it. not classification of knowledge in the abstract (based on
literary warrant of 19th and early 20th centuries, but kept
up-to-date with revisions)

Library of Congress
History
Classification (LCC)
• Schedules are disciplinary, just like DDC. • 1901: Class E-F (History: America) = first to be
• Enumerative
published
• Built piecemeal by different people. Each schedule was • others followed one by one, complete (except K)
developed by a subject specialist consulting published by 1948
bibliographies, comprehensive histories, and their own • 1969: K began publication, only KB (theocratic
collections. Specialists worked on subclasses legal systems) remains
independently with an editor in charge of each schedule • no fixed timetable for revision, each schedule
and Martel in charge of the whole thing. revised as needed
• Each class stands alone
• no overall index to entire scheme (ct. DDC)
• No overall index (indexes to individual classes)

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 Order of publication of the original Order of publication of the original
editions of the LC schedules editions of the LC schedules
• 1901 E-F History: America • 1911 A General works
• 1902 Z Bibliography L Education
• 1904 M Music S Agriculture
• 1905 Q Science • 1915 C Auxiliary sciences of history
• 1910 B-BJ Philosophy. Psychology
PN, PR, General literature. English/American
G Geography. Anthropology, etc.
H Social science literature.
J Political science PS, PZ Fiction in English. Juvenile literature
N Fine Arts • 1916 D History: general and old world
R Medicine • 1927 BL-BX Religion
T Technology • 1928 P-PA General philology and linguistics
U Military science • 1933 PB-PH Modern European languages
V Naval science • 1935 PJ-PM Languages and literatures of Asia, etc

Order of publication of the original Order of publication of the original

editions of the LC schedules editions of the LC schedules
• 1936 P-PM suppl. Index to languages, etc. • 1977 K Law (General)
PQ (part 1) French literature • 1982 KK-KKC Law of Germany
• 1937 PQ (part 2) Italian, Spanish, etc.
• 1984 KDZ, KG- Law of the Americas,
• 1938 PT (part 1) German literature
• 1942 PA suppl. Byzantine, etc. KH Latin America, etc.
PT (part 2) Dutch, etc. • 1985 KJV-KJW Law of France
• 1948 PG Russian literature • 1989 KJ-KKZ Law of Europe
• 1969 KF Law of US • 1992 KL-KWX Law of Asia and
• 1973 KD Law of UK and Ireland Eurasia, Africa, Pacific
• 1976 KE Law of Canada Area, and Antarctica

Outline of LCC—Structure of
Tools
Classification
• Print schedules • Using Cutter’s Expansive classification as a
• Classification Web model, the structure of classification evolved to 4
parts:
• SCM: Classification; SCM: Shelflisting:
SCM: Subject Headings I. A General works. Polygraphy
• Weekly List II. B-P Humanistic Disciplines and the
Social Sciences
• CSB: Cataloging Service Bulletin
III. Q-V Natural Sciences and Technology
• Chan’s Guide to the Library of Congress
IV. Z Bibliography and Library Science
Classification

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 Rationale for main classes/sub- Rationale for main classes/sub-
classes classes
• Charles Martel: • The second group embraces the Mathematico-
– 1. Class A—General works
– 2. Class B—Theories of man concerning the universe physical, Natural, and Applied Sciences: (15.
– 3.-6. Class C-F—History and auxiliary sciences Class Q) Science (16. Class R) Medicine (17.
– 7. Class G—Geography and anthropology
– 8.-9. Class H-J—Economic and social evolution of man
Class U) Military science and (20. Class V) Naval
– 10. Class K—Law science.
– 11. Class L—Education,
– 12. Class M----Music • Bibliography, which in many libraries is
– 13. Class N---Fine Arts distributed through the different classes, is kept
– 14. Class P—Language and Literature
– Classes B-P form the group of the Philosophico-historical and
together in the LC and forms together with Library
philological sciences.. science (21. Class Z).

Library of Congress
Schedules
Classification Outline
• 4 parts: • A -- GENERAL WORKS
• B -- PHILOSOPHY. PSYCHOLOGY. RELIGION
– A : General works • C -- AUXILIARY SCIENCES OF HISTORY
– B-P : Humanities and social sciences • D -- HISTORY: GENERAL AND OLD WORLD
– Q-V : Natural sciences and technology • E -- HISTORY: AMERICA
• F -- HISTORY: AMERICA
– Z : Bibliography and library science
• G -- GEOGRAPHY. ANTHROPOLOGY. RECREATION
• H -- SOCIAL SCIENCES
• J -- POLITICAL SCIENCE
• K -- LAW
• L -- EDUCATION

Library of Congress
Notation
Classification Outline
• M -- MUSIC AND BOOKS ON MUSIC • Mixed system: using letters in the Roman alphabet and
• N -- FINE ARTS Arabic numbers
• P -- LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE • Main classes are denoted by single capital letters with
• Q -- SCIENCE
double or triple letters used for subclasses.
• Within each main class or subclass, the integers 1-9999 are
• R -- MEDICINE
used for subdivisions, with many breaks (unused numbers)
• S -- AGRICULTURE left for future needs.
• T -- TECHNOLOGY • After the 1st set of letter(s) and number(s), another set
• U -- MILITARY SCIENCE follows. The latter is called a Cutter number, always
• V -- NAVAL SCIENCE preceded by a period (or full stop), and may be used as an
• Z -- BIBLIOGRAPHY. LIBRARY SCIENCE. extension of the class number or as an item number.
INFORMATION RESOURCES (GENERAL)

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Comparison with DDC : similarities Comparison with DDC : similarities
• it’s a classification scheme: • it’s hierarchical:
– offers systematic approach to documents through (i) shelf – order within classes is general to specific
arrangement, (ii) classed catalog • it’s enumerative:
• it’s universal: – complex subjects are explicitly listed in the schedules
– covers all areas of human knowledge • it uses auxiliary tables:
• it’s disciplinary: – allowing increased specificity
– universe is divided into 21 main classes: correspond largely
• BUT it has little notational synthesis
to academic disciplines – numbers from tables are not attached to the main number (as
they are in Dewey)
– classes divided into subclasses: branches of disciplines – tables are used to pinpoint specific numbers within ranges of
– subclasses divided into subdivisions: by form, place, time, numbers provided in the schedules themselves
subject – schedules are therefore longer -- but numbers shorter

LC: Basic Characteristics LC: Basic Characteristics

• not a philosophical division of knowledge • each schedule developed separately
– designed for purely practical purposes
– “The system devised has not sought to follow strictly the scientific
– by different groups of subject experts working
order of subjects. It has sought rather convenient sequence of the independently
various groups, considering them as groups of books, not as groups – far less uniform than, e.g., DDC
of mere subjects.” [Putnam 1901]
• based on literary warrant – sort of a series of special classifications
– designed for LC’s own collection, taking into account its existing • organic: continually evolving to meet users’ needs
scope, its probable use, its expected growth
– primary purpose = legislative reference, and other use by gvt – intention is always that scheme should be coextensive
depts with LC’s actual stock
– so, e.g., history (C-G) and social sciences (H-L) emphasized more – new areas developed as needed, obsolete elements
than natural sciences and technology (Q-V)
– sort of a special classification with unusually wide scope revised

LC: Basic Characteristics Techniques Used in LCC

• not originally intended for use by other libraries • Classification number represents the subject
– but now used widely
• mainly for shelf/catalog arrangement in academic/research of a document. It is composed of from one
libraries
• also by several directories of Web resources, e.g. Scout
to three uppercase letters and an arabic
Report whole number of up to four digits (1-9999).
– LC makes call numbers easily available to outsiders
• MARC records through OCLC, LC Online Catalog, serve as This number may also have decimal
cataloging copy for most libraries in the country
– libraries can suggest new numbers for the scheme
extensions
through the Program for Cooperative Cataloging SACO
program

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 Techniques Used in LCC Basic notation and cuttering
• Call numbers for LCC generally consist of • Call number consists of two principal
three elements: the classification number elements: a class number derived from the
(using both letters of the alphabet and arabic schedules and an item number to distinguish
numerals), one or two cutter numbers and a among items under the same class number.
date • Basic notation
SB
• Basic cuttering
435.52
.N6
S3
1989

Basic notation and cuttering Basic notation and cuttering

Class number: Class number:
Capital letters HN Social history and conditions Capital letters PN Theater

Whole number 733 China-History and Whole number 2876 China

description
1945- First Cutter number .T53 Tianjin ‡x History and
Decimal extension .5 criticism.
Item (Cutter) number .A54 An (main entry)
Item # (2nd Cutter P56 Ping (main entry)
Year of publication 2004 number)
Year of publication 1991

Alphabetical Arrangements in
LCC Structure LCC
Q Science (general) SB 320-351 Culture of individual vegetables or types of vegetables
SB325 Asparagus
QA Mathematics
SB327 Beans. Common bean
QB Astronomy
SB329 Beets
QC Physics SB331 Cabbage
QD Chemistry SB333 Cauliflower
23.3-26.5 Alchemy SB335 Celery
SB337 Cucumber
71-142 Analytical chemistry
SB339 Greens. Leafy vegetables
146-197 Inorganic chemistry
SB341 Onions
241-441 Organic chemistry SB343 Peas
450-731 Physical and theoretical chemistry SB345 Rhubarb
QE Geology SB347 Squash. Pumpkin
SB349 Tomatoes

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 Common Features of Each
Broad outline: B-BJ as an example
Schedule
• characteristics common to all schedules • Outline
– preface – B PHILOSOPHY (GENERAL)
– BC LOGIC
– broad outline, showing subclasses
– BD SPECULATIVE PHILOSOPHY
– detailed outline, showing 3-level hierarchical – BF PSYCHOLOGY. PARAPSYCHOLOGY.
structure OCCULT SCIENCES
– schedule itself – BH AESTHETICS
– auxiliary tables – BJ ETHICS. SOCIAL USAGES. ETIQUETTE
– index (to the individual schedule)

Detailed outline: B as an example Main portion of the schedule: B

• Outline • A general philosophy periodical in the German language:
– B 1-5802 Philosophy (General) B3
69-99 General works
108-5902 By Period
• B PHILOSPHY (GENERAL)
Including individual philosophers and – Periodicals. Serials.
schools of philosophy – 1.A1-A3 Polyglot
108-708 Ancient – 1.A4-Z English and American
720-765 Medieval – 2 French and Belgian
770-785 Renaissance – 3 German
790-5802 Modern – 4 Italian
808-849 Special topics and schools of
philosophy – 5 Spanish and Portuguese
850-5739 By region or country – 6 Russian and other Slavic
5800-5802 By religion – 8.A-Z Other. By language, A-Z

Common Features of Each

Cutter Numbers
Schedule
• Martel's Seven Points; The general pattern of arrangement of • Following the class number is a cutter number or book number.
each division within a class. Not always followed. • Cutter number usually represents the first non-article word of
– General form divisions: Periodicals, Societies, Collections, the main entry, although LCC does utilize cutter numbers to
Dictionaries, etc. further represent the subject of a book. These are called “double
– Theory, Philosophy cutters”
– History • The cutter number provides for the alphabetical subarrangement
– Treatises, General Works of works within a class and enables a library to develop a unique
call number for each work
– Law, Regulation
• A cutter number consists of a single letter of the alphabet
– Study and teaching preceded by a decimal point. The alphabetical character is
– Special subjects and subdivisions, progressing from the followed by one or more arabic numerals.
more general to the specific and as far as possible in logical • When a second cutter is used, only the first cutter is preceded by
order a decimal point

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 LC Cutter Table LC Cutter Table: Example
(1) After initial vowels Catton .C37
for the second letter: b d l-m n p r s-t u-y
use number: 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Cecil .C4
(2) After initial letter S Cheever .C44
for the second letter: a ch e h-i m-p t u w-z Cicco .C5
use number: 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
(3) After initial letters Qu
Clint .C55
for the second letter: a e i o r t y Corson .C6
use number: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Cox .C69
For initial letters Qa-Qt, use: 2-29
Crane .C7
(4) After other initial consonants
for the second letter: a e i o r u y Crider .C75
use number: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Cronin .C76
(5) For expansion
Cullen .C8
for the letter: a-d e-h i-l m-o p-s t-v w-z
use number: 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Cyert .C9
For authors or titles starting with Arabic numbers use A 12-19.

LCC Call Number: Date Strengths of LCC

• LC adds date to call number. Generally the • Practical
date used is the date of publication, but • Based on materials at LC, similar to collections in
many academic & research libraries
there are exceptions:
• Enumerative system, do not have to synthesize
– Conference main entry: use date of conference
• Schedules developed by subject experts
– Photocopy: date of original plus work letter “a” • Notation is compact and hospitable
– Looseleaf publications: no date used • Frequent updates that are published
• Need for reclassification is kept to a minimum;
few structural changes

Weaknesses of LCC Weaknesses of LCC

• Scope notes inferior to DDC • As a result of maintaining stability, parts of
• US bias in emphasis and terminology the classification are obsolete -- like
• Too few subjects are treated as compounds photography is under technology; cookery
is in engineering
• Alphabetical arrangement used instead of
hierarchical • Keeping an up - to - date set of all the
schedules is expensive
• No clear and predictable basis for subject
analysis based on class • Table structure more arcane than DDC

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 General Principles of
General Steps for LCC Use
Classification
• Because of disciplinary aspects of LCC, first check for • Choosing a classification number: General guidelines
appropriate schedule to match subject of item in hand – Consider usefulness: when a work can be classed in
and then determine the best class number within the more than one number, consider where it will be most
selected schedule.
useful to the readers
• Class item in hand with similar works:
– Subject is usually prior to form: class by subject, then
– Consult existing records by form, except in literature, where subject is secondary
– Consult class numbers mapped from assigned LCSH to form
– Consult LCC outlines – Use the most specific number: class the work in the
• After call number is complete, check shelflist: most specific number that will contain it rather than
– Will item in hand reside amongst other like works? with the general topic
– Is call number unique? – Do not classify from the index alone: always check
number from index in main schedule

General Principles of
SCM F 10: General principles
Classification
• Choosing a classification number: Multi-topical 1. Class works according to their subject matter.
2. Unless specific instructions, class a work by its specific
works subject, not by its form under a broader topic. If no number
for the specific form of the work being cataloged has been
– Class with dominant subject established in the schedules, see F195, sec.4
– Class under first subject if dominant subject 3. Classify by the subject, rather than by place if a choice must
be made between these two.
cannot be determined – Under the topical caption:
• Class works limited to a specific geographic area in […]
– Class under broader subject if work deals with – Under the caption “By region or country”:
three or more subjects which are subdivisions • Including specific topics
of a broader subject 4. Use the most specific number available. Use a broader
number only if no specific number is available.
• Use number for Chemistry for a work on Analytical,
organic, inorganic and physical chemsitry

SCM F 10: General principles SCM F 10: General principles

5. Where several subjects are discussed in a work, choose 6. In problematic cases where several numbers appear
the classification number according to the most satisfactory, class according to the intent of the
appropriate of the following guidelines: author or where it appears that the work would be
– Class according to instructions printed in the schedules most usefully located.
– Class according to dominant subject 7. Unless instructions in the schedules or past practice
– If no subject is dominant, class under the first one dictate otherwise, class works on the influence of
mentioned in the work being cataloged. one subject on another with the subject influenced.
– Class with a broader subject, if the work deals with several 8. For the relationship between the order of subject
subjects that, taken together, constitute a major part of a headings and the class number, see H80.
larger subject.

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 How to find a number LCC Examples
• General principle: by its subject matter in the most • Topical Cutter
specific number available
• 2nd principle: to class the work in hand with • Tables
similar works in the collection • Author numbers
– Consulting existing records in the catalog
– Consulting class numbers in LCSH • MARC Field
– Consulting the outline of the whole classification to
locate the possible schedule – 050 $a class number $b cutter number and date
• Select the appropriate main class and sub-class,
determine the number, then verify the number
with shelf-list to ascertain

GO FORTH AND CLASSIFY

And it came to pass that when Kutta the Book God had made
the first library she saw that it was good. She called the
librarians together and divided them as a herder divides the
sheep and goats. To the first group she spoke, saying, 'You
shall dwell in the light and serve the readers, and your
glory shall be great.' Then she turned to the second group
and spoke, saying, 'You shall dwell in darkness. Secret
shall be your ways and hidden your practices. You shall
not know the public, neither shall any reader know you. Go
forth and classify."
Michael Gorman (1979)