Introducing the Library of Congress Classification

1
Introducing the Library of Congress Classification

• LCCS Training Sessions
• OSU
• July 2007

2
History

• LC Classification schedules developed 1898-1910
• Emphasized LCs collection strengths social
  sciences (political science, law, history)
• Originally, little emphasis on humanities,
  religion philosophy

3
History (cont.)

• In early years, schedules revised periodically
• Today, schedules are revised continuously (see
  Weekly Lists)
• Some schedules only recently published
• KBR, history of canon law, 2001
• KBU, law of the Roman Catholic Church, 2001
• KBM, Jewish law, 2002
• KBP, Islamic law, 2002

4
Characteristics

• Enumerative - every topic explicitly listed
• No synthetic features
• 3½ shelf feet long!

5
Characteristics (cont.)

• Nonexpressive notation does not reflect
  hierarchical relationships
• Example
• QH501-531 Life
• QH540-549.5 Ecology
• QH573-671 Cytology

6
Hospitality

• Very hospitable capacity to accommodate changes
  is very great
• Gaps in lettering and numbering can be used for
  new topics
• Decimal numbers can be added
• Examples
• Subclass ZA (information resources) added to Z
  class in 1996
• N6502.57.V53 Video art added April 13, 2005
• http//www.loc.gov/catdir/cpso/wlc05/awlc0515.pdf

7
Classification Tools

• Library of Congress Classification Schedules
• Classification Web (also includes Library of
  Congress Subject Headings)
• Subject Cataloging Manual Classification
• Subject Cataloging Manual Shelflisting
• Catalogers Desktop on the Web
• Cataloging Calculator
• Library of Congress Filing Rules

8
Classification Guidelines

• F10, General Principles of Classification
  (SCMClassification)
• Eight principles some obvious, some peculiar to
  LCCS

9
Class works according to their subject matter

• Must determine their subject matter first
• Not classed according to size or date of receipt
• Generally not classed according to format with
  exceptions

10
Classing by Form

• Class a work by its specific subject, not by its
  form under a broader topic
• Example
• Class a journal on sanitation in
• RA567 (Sanitation. Waste disposal. Sewage
  disposal General works)
• Not in the broader class
• RA565.A1 (Environmental health -- Periodicals.
  Societies. Serials)

11
Classing by Form (cont.)

• Within a given topical area, class by subject,
  ignoring form unless form captions have been
  established under the subject.
• Most common form caption
• Periodicals. Societies. Serials

12
Classing by Place

• If choosing between classing by specific subject
  and classing by place, prefer classification by
  the subject
• Example Penguins of Antarctica
• QL696.S473 Spheniscidae (Penguins) 
• Not
• QL695.2 Birds of Antarctica  

13
Classing by Place (cont.)

• Exceptions
• Class by place if there are contrary instructions
• Class by place if precedent (the shelflist)
  clearly indicates otherwise

14
Specificity

• Use the most specific number available.
• Use a broader number only if no specific number
  is available and it is not feasible to establish
  one.

15
Multiple subjects

• Where several subjects are discussed in a work,
  choose the classification number
• according to instructions printed in the
  schedules
• Example A popular work (i.e., not scientific) on
  domesticated mammals could be classed with
  popular works on mammals or works on domesticated
  animals
• QL706 Mammals -- Popular works
• For popular works on domestic animals see SF41

16
Multiple subjects (cont.)

• Where several subjects are discussed in a work,
  choose the classification number
• according to dominant subject (as represented by
  the first subject heading on the record)
• that matches the first subject mentioned in the
  work being cataloged
• for a broader subject if the work deals with
  several subjects that, taken together, constitute
  a major part of a larger subject

17
Multiple Classes

• In problematic cases where several numbers appear
  satisfactory, class according to
• the intent of the author, or
• where it appears that the work would be most
  usefully located

18
Influence of One Subject on Another

• Class works on the influence of one subject on
  another with the subject influenced
• Example The effect of oil pollution on fish
  culture
• SH177.O53 Fish culture--Diseases and adverse
  factors
• Not
• TD427.P4 Water pollution -- Petroleum