library of congress classification

LC* Classification*Library of Congress

The Library of Congress System• “Libraries use classification systems to organize the books on the

shelves. A classification system uses letters and/or numbers (call numbers) to arrange the books so that books on the same topic are together. This arrangement results in "serendipitous browsing:" you find one book in the catalog, go to the shelf, and an even better book is sitting right next to it.”

- University of Georgia Libraries

What SU Libraries Use:• We use the Library of Congress classification system• Public libraries tend to use Dewey Decimal• It’s just a different way of keeping books of similar/related subjects

together• The books are shelved by call number which is a series of numbers

and letters that indicate where the book should go

Parts of a Call Number• On the spine of the book, you’ll find a sticker with numbers and letters. • There can be more or fewer lines than shown here:

In Bird Library:• Call numbers A – DX are on the 2nd floor• Call numbers E – HJ are on the 3rd floor• Call numbers HM – NA are on the 4th floor• Call numbers NB – PZ are on the 5th floor• Anything Q – Z is at Carnegie• This doesn’t include what is stored offsite or in another location• Many bound journals• Special collections/rare books• Architecture Reading Room• Law Library• MLK Library

How to Read a Call Number:

Things You’ll Find in Each Section:Though there are subcategories for each main class that get more specific, it can help to know approximately what books are in each class. • Class A: general works

• Almanacs, encyclopedias, history of scholarship/learning• Ex: AM1 .D5 1981 “Directory of World Museums” edited by Kenneth Hudson

• Class B: philosophy, psychology, religion• Logic, ethics, mythology, theology• Ex: BF20 .F57 2003 “Flourishing: Positive Psychology and the Life Well-Lived”

• Class C: general history• History of civilization, archaeology, genealogy, biography• Ex: CC81 .A69 2009 “Archaeology of Environmental Change” by Christopher Fisher

• Class D: world history• Ex: DS7.7 .F67 2009 “Civilizations of Ancient Iraq” by Benjamin Foster

• Class E: American history• Ex: E907 .O22 2012 “Obama’s Presidency: A Preliminary Assessment”

• Class F: local histories• State histories, province histories, Latin America, colonies• Ex: F2299 .B55 M35 2014 “Work of Recognition: Caribbean Colombia and the

Postemancipation Struggle for Citizenship”

• Class G: Geography, anthropology, recreation• Environmental sciences, customs, folklore, leisure• Ex: GV711 .P78 2016 “Psychology of Effective Coaching”

• Class H: Social sciences• Economic history, finance, sociology, family• Ex: HQ728 .W52 2015 “Family Theories: an Introduction”

• Class J: Political science• Legislative papers, public administration, colonization, international relations• Ex: JZ5534 .T436 2015 “Teaching Peace Through Popular Culture”

• Class K: Law• Religious law, world laws• Ex: KDK156 .H3 “English Law in Ireland 1290-1324”

• Class L: Education• Theory, history, fraternities/sororities• Ex: LC1035.4 G7 1994 “Tech Prep: a Strategy for School Reform”

• Class M : Music• Literature on music, instruction, scores• Ex: M23 .B85 1979 “Sonata for Piano”

• Class N: Fine arts• Architecture, sculpture, painting, decorative arts• Ex: NE2049 .L4 “History of French Etching from the 16th Century to the

Present Day

• Class P: Language and literature• Linguistics, languages, literature, juvenile literature• Ex: PM3962 .T48 1960 “Maya Hieroglyphic Writing: an Introduction”

Where Are the _____________ Books?• Sometimes patrons will ask where the Russian history/French

impressionism/poetry books are• While you can use the Library of Congress system to point them in the

general direction, try to see if they need more assistance• Reference librarians and Learning Commons can help students find exactly

what they’re looking for or help them narrow their topic down