Introducing the Library of
Congress Classification
LCCS Training
Sessions
OSU
July 2007
History
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LC Classification schedules developed 18981910
Emphasized LC’s collection strengths: social
sciences (political science, law, history)
Originally, little emphasis on humanities,
religion & philosophy
History (cont.)
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In early years, schedules revised periodically
Today, schedules are revised continuously
(see Weekly Lists)
Some schedules only recently published:
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KBR, history of canon law, 2001
KBU, law of the Roman Catholic Church, 2001
KBM, Jewish law, 2002
KBP, Islamic law, 2002
Characteristics
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Enumerative - every topic explicitly listed
No synthetic features
3½ shelf feet long!
Characteristics (cont.)
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Nonexpressive: notation does not reflect
hierarchical relationships
Example:
QH501-531
QH540-549.5
QH573-671
Life
Ecology
Cytology
Hospitality
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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
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http://www.loc.gov/catdir/cpso/wlc05/awlc0515.pdf
Classification Tools
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Library of Congress Classification Schedules
Classification Web (also includes Library of
Congress Subject Headings)
Subject Cataloging Manual: Classification
Subject Cataloging Manual: Shelflisting
Cataloger’s Desktop on the Web
Cataloging Calculator
Library of Congress Filing Rules
Classification Guidelines
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F10, General Principles of Classification
(SCM:Classification)
Eight principles – some obvious, some
peculiar to LCCS
“Class works according to their
subject matter”
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Must determine their subject matter first
Not classed according to size or date of receipt
Generally not classed according to format – with
exceptions
Classing by Form
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“Class a work by its specific subject, not by
its form under a broader topic”
Example:
Class a journal on sanitation in
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RA567 (Sanitation. Waste disposal. Sewage disposal –
General works)
Not in the broader class
RA565.A1 (Environmental health -- Periodicals. Societies.
Serials)
Classing by Form (cont.)
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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
Classing by Place
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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
Classing by Place (cont.)
Exceptions:
 Class by place if there are contrary
instructions
 Class by place if precedent (the shelflist)
clearly indicates otherwise
Specificity
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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.
Multiple subjects
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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
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Multiple subjects (cont.)
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Where several subjects are discussed in a work,
choose the classification number:
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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
Multiple Classes
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In problematic cases where several numbers
appear satisfactory, class according to
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the intent of the author, or
where it appears that the work would be most
usefully located
Influence of One Subject on
Another
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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