Classification Guide | Collection Locations
Library of Congress Classification System
The Coleman Library catalogs and arranges its books according to the Library of Congress (LC) classification system, the system used by almost every academic library in the United States. Knowledge is broken down into classes, divisions, and subdivisions using a combination of letters from A-Z and Arabic numbers from one to 9999. Alphabetical symbols refer to the broad classes, and the numerical sequence refers to subdivisions.
When looking at an item record in the library catalog, the call number can be found in the library holdings information at the bottom of the screen. The call number explains where the book is located on the shelf.
Listed below are examples of proper call number arrangements on the shelf.
PD PE PE Arranged by letters |
372 2756 2756 Next by number |
| .F9 .B436 .B47 |
Then by letter and finally by number decimally (do not read the number on the last line as a single number (in the second example, read as 4, then 3, then 6, not 436) |
|
To locate an item on the shelf, write down the entire call number.
For the second book in the example above the call number is PE 2756.B436
The Library of Congress classification system:
- gives each item in the collection a unique location on the shelf
- shelves items on related subjects together
- About browsing: Because the system is designed to bring items on similar subjects together, you can browse in a specific call number area to find information on a subject. If you need a more specific call number to browse in your subject of interest, ask a Reference Librarian. Note: browsing is a popular information-finding strategy, but it has drawbacks that affect the quality and quantity of information found. It should be used as a supplement to finding books by using the Library of Congress subject headings in the catalog.
Collections: Remember also to write down the collection name. Examples are Reference, Juvenile, and Special Collections / Archives. Consult the Library Staff for assistance.
Library of Congress Subject Headings: Large, red volumes located at the Reference Desk help identify subject headings used in the online catalog. By looking in the catalog for those terms, you will locate items that the library has on your subject(s). Consult with a Reference Librarian for help in choosing subject headings or interpreting the information given in the Subject Headings books. |
