Library of Congress call numbers consist of two principal elements: the class symbol and the
author symbol. A decimal point separates the class symbol from the author symbol. In our library
this decimal point is omitted on the printed labels that are attached to the pieces. Instead the division
is made by putting the author symbol on a separate line.
Example: E
441
D55
1990
The class symbols are assigned according to the subject of the book and consist of a letter or
letters followed by a numeral or numerals. These numerals are whole numbers. An example of a
class symbol: E441. The letter "E" means that the book is about the history of the United States and
the numbers "441" indicate that it is about slavery in the United States, general works about slavery.
Another example: QC83. "Q" is the symbol for the subject science. The addition of the "C" to the
"Q" makes the subject more specific and indicates that this particular book is about Physics. Adding
the number "83" to "QC" breaks the subject down even further into Weights and Measures,
specifically, general works on the history of Weights and Measures. Thus, each letter or letter
combination represents a subject and the whole numbers following the letters represent a further
breakdown of that subject into a smaller more specific area. Because of this kind of arrangement
library materials on a similar subject are shelved together. Thus, books having to do with science are
in one section, books on United States history in another and so on. This makes it possible for the
library user to "browse" in each section and find on the shelves other books on the same subject.
Because there are many items dealing with the same subject and having, therefore, the same
class symbol, it is usually necessary to look beyond the class symbol in order to shelve or arrange the
library materials properly. Thus, within a given particular subject, items are further arranged by
author. This is achieved by giving each piece, in addition to its class symbol, an author symbol.
The author symbol, known as a "cutter number" is a single letter of the alphabet, the first
letter of the author's last name, followed by numbers or a number representing further letters in the
author's last name. For example, in the call number "E441.D55 1990", D55 is the author symbol or
cutter number. In the case of the author symbol the numerals used are not to be considered whole
numbers. The numbers following the first letter in the author symbol are used decimally. This means
that in shelving or arranging numerically by these numbers it is important to think of
each individual number as a separate digit with all the lowest digits arranged first. The following examples of class symbols combined with author symbols in a
shelving arrangement will, hopefully, make this clear.
PR PR
53 53
S15 S4
1993 1993
PR PR
53 53
S22 S42
1993 1993
PR PR
53 53
S35 S56
1993 1993
PR PR
53 53
S37 S567
1993 1993
PR PR
53 53
S373 S62
1993 1993
PR PR
53 53
S38 T35
1993 1993
There are times when the whole numbers in the class symbol may be followed by a decimal
point before the author symbol begins. When arranging or shelving, all whole numbers that are the
same come first before the whole numbers that are the same but have the addition of a decimal point.
For example:
E E E E
185 185.3 185.32 185.4
S65 S62 S652 S64
1993 1993 1993 1993
E E E E
185 185.32 185.32 186
S77 S62 S75 A64
1993 1993 1993 1993
Additional symbols identifying a particular work may result in extended author symbols.
Arrangement is the same as before, first alphabetically and then numerically. For example:
QA QA QA
53 53 53
S62 S62 S82
1993 B6 A3
1993 1993
QA
53 QA
S62 53
A2 S72
1993 1993
QA QA
53 53
S62 S72
B59 A3
1993 1993
QA QA
53 53
S62 S82
B598 A25
1993 1993
Further identification of a book can be made by the addition to the call number of such
designations as copy, part, volume, etc. For example:
PQ PQ TD
5983 5983 98
R65 R65 B45
1991 1991 1993
v.1 v.2 pt.1
c.2
PQ TD
5983 PQ 98
R65 5983 B45
1991 R65 1993
v.1 1992 pt.2
c.2 supp.1
PQ
PQ 5983
5983 R65
R65 1993
1991
v.2
Books classified in the PZ or juvenile section have letters added to the author number which
stand for the title of the book. For example:
PZ
4
M932
Po
1992
PZ
4
M932
Ra
1993
These two call numbers represent two different works by the same author.
Alternative class numbers lack the cutter; they classify the subject of the work but do not
identify a given work in a unique way (which is the function of the cutter). On DLC |c DLC records
alternative class numbers are on the 050 field following the complete class number. The alternative
number is identified by the "|a" that precedes it and that separates it from the complete call number.
The alternative numbers lack the "|b" that precedes the cutter or the cutter plus date; this is the
section that needs to be completed. The cutter number is a letter-number combination usually
representing either the title or the author main entry of the work. The cutter is formulated from the
first letter of the author's name or the title to be represented followed by a number or combination
of numbers derived from the LC cutter table here reproduced. Numbers in the tables are used
decimally in a manner that preserves the alphabetical order of names and titles (main entries) within
a class. The numbers following the initial letter are usually carried out to two places with a few
exceptions as for example, where the subject area is not likely to develop rapidly or the author is not
or is not likely to be prolific. Even though the tables should be followed as closely as possible,
numbers may vary from those assigned by the tables especially when trying to fit a cutter number into
the scheme of our collection.
Until April 1982 the Library of Congress (LC) added a date to a monographic call number
just in certain cases, for example, a previous editions. Since 1982, LC decided to simplify its
guidelines so that, "The basic rule is to add the date of imprint to all monographs". We follow LC
practice as closely as possible.
If a work is a compilation of individual works already published, the compilation is treated as a
separate work and is given its own call number. A new or reprinted edition of a compilation is
processed according to the above procedures.
Translations are assigned the cutter of the original work with numbers added according to the
following scheme:
.x original work (x represents cutter
assigned to the original language)
.x13 English translation
.x14 French translation
.x15 German translation
.x16 Italian translation
.x17 Russian translation
.x18 Spanish translation
Other languages are fitted in alphabetically but without appropriating existing numbers. For example,
a Portuguese translation could be assigned .x165 but preferrably not .x16 or .x17.
ADDING DATES TO MONOGRAPHIC CALL NUMBERS
The following are some variations and exceptions to the above rule:
1. Congress or conference headings. If present, add the date of the congress or conference found in the heading; otherwise, use the imprint date.
2. Photocopy or facsimile. Add the date of the original work and the letter "a".
3. Edition. Use the imprint date. If another edition is received with the same imprint date, use the letter starting with "b".
4. Corporate authorship. Use the imprint date. If another work by the same corporate body is received use the letters starting with "a".
5. Class subarranged by date only. If a work is classed in an area that is subarranged by date only, do not add another date to the call number. Instead, add the letter to the date starting with "a".
6. Class subarranged by date and main entry heading. Although a date appears as part of the classification number, the imprint date should also be added to the call number.
7. Dates are no longer being added to call numbers of loose-leaf services that are cataloged as such and continuously kept up to date. This is especially the case in class K where the vast majority of such publications class.
8. Dates are no longer being added to call numbers of legal publications where the final cutter is selected from a span based on dates. For these publications, the date is "built in" to the final cutter and the further addition of a numerical date is r
edundant.
In cuttering a translation of a criticism use the translation table.Shelf order
Original work Cutter and date .L55 1992
Facsimile or photocopy Cutter and date .L55 1992a
of original work with "a".
Edition or reprint Cutter and date .L55 1993
Facsimile or photocopy Cutter and date of .L55 1993a
of edition edition with "a".
Translation Cutter expanded by .L5513 1993
12-19 and date
(English translation)
Abridgement or Cutter expanded by .L552 1993 condensed
version 2 and date
Translation of Cutter expanded by .L55213 1993
abridgement or 212-219 and date (English condensed
version translation)
Selection Cutter expanded by .L5525 1993
25 and date
Translation of Cutter expanded by .L552513 1993
selection 2512-2519
and date (English
translation)
Criticism Cutter expanded by .L553T5 1993
3 or 3-39 and date
Some examples on selecting the appropriate date
1. If the imprint date of an edition is uncertatin and is bracketed, use the date provided: for
example, for [1892?] and [ca. 1892] use 1892 in both cases.
2. If the imprint date of an edition is uncertain and two dates are bracketed, use the earlier
date provided: for example, [1892 or 1893] use 1892, and for [between 1906 and 1912] use 1906.
3. If the imprint date of and edition cannot be determined beyond the decade or century, use
the earliest date of the decade or century plus the letter "z", which places the work after any editions
that might have been actually published during that year: for example, for [196-] and [196-?] use
1960z, and for [19--] and [19--?] use 1900z.
4. If the imprint date of an edition contains a publication and a copyright date, use the date
of publication: for example, for 1986, c1984 use 1986.
5. If the imprint date of an edition contains a date of publication or a copyright date and a
printing date, use the date of publication or the copyright date: for example, 1969, 1971 printing use
1969, and for c1970, t.p. 1973 use 1970.
6. If the imprint date of an edition contains a date of publication that has been corrected, use
the corrected date of publication: for example, 1986 [i.e. 1985] use 1985, and for 1986 [i.e. 1985,
c1982] use 1985.
7. If the imprint date of an edition of a multivolume work covers more than one year, for
example, 1986-1988, use the earlier date.
8. If the imprint date of an edition is an open entry, for example, 1986- , use the date
provided.
mh 1994