Library of Congress Classification
- 1. LC* Classification *Library of Congress
- 2. 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
- 3. 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
- 4. 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:
- 5. 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
- 7. 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
- 8. • 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”
- 9. • 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”
- 10. 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