Questions

1. Where do I find the Dewey number in the bibliographic record?

2. Why do I see two segmentation marks in bibliographic records?
3. How do I know if the Dewey number in the bibliographic record is current?
4. If I see a problem with a Dewey number, whom do I contact?
5. What is the difference between Library of Congress Classification and Dewey Decimal Classification?
6. If I have a Library of Congress Classification Number, how can I find out what the Dewey number should be?
7. Do you provide translations?
8. What is the cooperative arrangement between the Library of Congress and OCLC?
9. How do I subscribe to WebDewey?
10. How can I access the Dewey training modules?
Answers
1. Where do I find the Dewey number in the bibliographic record?
The Dewey Decimal number is found in the MARC 082 field.

2. Why do I see two segmentation marks in bibliographic records?

Prior to Edition 22, the rules called for a segmentation mark at the start of every standard subdivision (notation from Table
1) as well as at the end of the abridged number. Old bibliographic records with Dewey numbers from previous editions
are generally not updated to reflect current policies.

3. How do I know if the Dewey number in the bibliographic record is current?

All bibliographic records should include the edition of the Dewey Decimal Classification that was used to classify the
resource. The edition is noted is in the MARC 082 field in subfield 2. Edition 23 is the current edition.
082 00 ‡a 940.3/2252 ‡2 23 (the number is from edition 23)
082 00 ‡a 336.2001/9 ‡2 22 (the number is from edition 22)

4. If I see a problem with a Dewey number, whom do I contact?

Please contact the Dewey Program at dewey@loc.gov with any questions about Dewey numbers in bibliographic records.

5. What is the difference between Library of Congress Classification and Dewey Decimal Classification?
The Library of Congress Classification (LCC) system was developed at the turn of the 20th century and was specifically
created to categorize books and other items held in the Library of Congress. It features 21 subject categories with
resources being identified by a combination of both letters and numbers. For example, books on education are identified
with a call number that begins with the letter “L” and those on political science under “J.” The number of classes and
numerous subclasses is not restricted. Specific topics and geographic areas are often represented by alphabetic Cutter
lists. LCC notation does not lend itself to abridgment, except all the way to the summary level.

The Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) system was developed in 1876 as a means to organize all knowledge. The
DDC uses notation in Arabic numerals, well-defined categories, well-developed hierarchies, and a rich network of
relationships among topics. The ten basic classes are organized by disciplines or fields of study. Each main class is
further divided into ten divisions, and each division into ten sections. Except for a few optional provisions, the DDC
notation is strictly numeric. (See Alternate DDC notation for information about the optional alphabetic notation applied by
the Library of Congress.) In addition to summaries, the DDC has an abridged edition, with numbers that are the same as
the numbers of the full edition, except shorter. (See Segmentation for information about segmentation marks that show the
end of abridged numbers.)

6. If I have a Library of Congress Classification Number, how can I find out what the Dewey number should be?
Classification Web is a subscription service which provides a number of correlation searching options, including LCC to
DDC correlation functionality. There are very few one-to-one relationships between LCC and DDC, and they are
scattered; most relationships are many-to-many. AutoDewey takes advantage of one of the few areas where LCC and
DDC are similar enough to have clusters of one-to-one or one-to-few matches.

7. Do you provide translations?

OCLC works with translation partners around the world in order to translate the DDC into a variety of
languages. Translation partners generally are based in and supported by national libraries or national library groups. The
 translations are created, marketed (sold) and maintained by the translation partners in cooperation with OCLC. Please
contact dewey@oclc.org for more information.

8. What is the cooperative arrangement between the Library of Congress and OCLC?
The Library of Congress and OCLC partner with each other under a formal cooperative agreement that OCLC will
maintain an editorial office at the Library of Congress.

9. How do I subscribe to WebDewey?

Please contact dewey@oclc.gov for information on how to subscribe to WebDewey. Free trials are available on the
OCLC Dewey web site.

10. How can I access the Dewey training modules?

The Dewey training modules are available free of charge on the OCLC Dewey web site. In addition, the Dewey blog is a
great source for news and views on classification issues, as well as interesting and unusual DDC resources and
curiosities. It’s also a convenient way to share feedback directly to the DDC editors to help shape the future of the DDC.

The Library of Congress Classification System (LC)

How to read call numbers in an academic library

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.

From the Online Catalog to the Shelf

Libraries in the United States generally use either the Library of Congress Classification System (LC) or the Dewey
Decimal Classification System to organize their books. Most academic libraries use LC, and most public libraries and K-
12 school libraries use Dewey.

Anatomy of a Library of Congress Call Number

Book title: Uncensored War: The Media and Vietnam

Author: Daniel C. Hallin
Call Number: DS559.46 .H35 1986

The first two lines describe the subject of the book.

DS559.45 = Vietnamese Conflict
The third line often represents the author's last name.
H = Hallin

The last line represents the date of publication.

Tips for Finding Books on the Shelf

Read call numbers line by line.

LB
Read the first line in alphabetical order:
A, B, BF, C, D... L, LA, LB, LC, M, ML...

2395
Read the second line as a whole number:
1, 2, 3, 45, 100, 101, 1000, 2000, 2430...

.C65
The third line is a combination of a letter and numbers. Read the letter alphabetically. Read the number as a decimal, eg:
.C65 = .65 .C724 = .724

Some call numbers have more than one combination letter-number line.

1991
The last line is the year the book was published. Read in chronological order:
1985, 1991, 1992...

Here is a shelf of books with the call number order explained.

If you ask a librarian whether he or she prefers the Dewey Decimal System or Library of Congress Classification,
be ready for a geeked out discussion on the merits of hierarchical vs. faceted classification schemes and whether
capping the number of categorization classes holds peril or potential. . . . If you're a newcomer to library science, a little
background on the classification systems might be helpful.

The Dewey Decimal System was developed in 1876 as a means to organize all knowledge - an ambitious endeavor, to say
the least. In this sense, the Dewey Decimal System was the Google of the 19th century, minus the fancy technical aspects.
Instead, the cataloging system relies on a simple framework that starts with ten subject classes (religion, social sciences,
etc.). These classes are broken down into ten divisions, which are then broken down into ten subdivisions. Books and
other resources are assigned numeric call numbers based on where content within them falls in this taxonomy of
knowledge.
The Library of Congress Classification system differs in its design. Developed at the turn of the 20th century, it was
specifically created to categorize books and other items held in the Library of Congress. It features 21 subject categories
with resources being identified by a combination of both letters and numbers. For example, books on education are
identified with a call number that begins with the letter 'L' and those on political science under 'J.' The number of
categorization classes are not restricted, nor are the numerous subclasses included in the system.

So which system is better? That depends on the person you ask. Proponents of Dewey may suggest that the LOC system is
'impure' because, rather than being based on a taxonomy of knowledge, it was created to classify items from a single
library. Some also believe that the letter-number system of identification is laborious and second best to Dewey's all
numeric approach. Supporters also cite the system's reliance on facets (or groupings of related subjects) to organize
materials.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, people who prefer the LOC have their criticisms of Dewey. Many perceive shortcomings of that
system's ability to catalog items covering new subjects. For instance, computers weren't around when Dewey was
developed and, as a result, weren't accounted for under the ten subject category headings. While the system has been
updated over time, a closed taxonomy has forced computers and other tech topics to be shoehorned into a category labeled
'General.' (The LOC system, on the other hand, has annexed a 'Technology' subject heading.) Detractors of Dewey also
suggest that its decimal system for identifying items leads to long call numbers that make identifying resources
cumbersome, particularly in academic libraries with groupings of specialized topics.

While some librarians and other bibliophiles have a strong preference for either Dewey or the LOC system, many others
concede that both systems have flaws and that libraries should follow practices that are best for their respective
collections. Many public libraries, for example, continue to use Dewey while some academic libraries have made the
switch to LOC to allow for greater specialization in identifying resources.

Still other librarians are forsaking both systems for more simplistic subject-based taxonomies typically found in
bookstores. This move, made in response to perceived consumer habits, has many purists up in arms and has prompted
initiatives to develop a hybrid system that is intuitive to users but still allows for detailed classification. Perhaps in the
future, then, a new classification system heavyweight will emerge in this battle for categorization supremacy.

LC Call Numbers Outline

How to Read LC Call
Numbers
Understanding LC Call
Numbers
How LC Call Numbers
Comparing LC and Dewey
are Arranged on the
Shelves
Physical Locations in the
Library
Comparing LC with
Dewey

The J.D. Williams Library uses the Library of Congress (LC) classification. Like the Dewey Decimal classification
system, LC is used both as an unique identifier for each book in the library and as a way to group books with similar
subjects together on the shelves. Note the similarities and differences in the two classification systems in the table below,
using the book "A Quick Reference to Dining Etiquette" by Shelia M. Long as an example.
Library of What is it? How it was made?
Congress

BJ General Subject B -Philosophy, Psychology, Religion

BJ - Ethics

2041 Specific Topic 1801-2195 - Social Usage. Etiquette

2021-2078 - Etiquette of Entertaining
2041 - Table Etiquette

.L66 Author Based on the author's last name

1993 Year Usually the year the book was published

Dewey Decimal What is it? How it was made?

395 General Subject 300 - Social Sciences

390 - Customs, Etiquette, Folklore
395 - Etiquette (Manners)

.54 Specific Topic .5 - In Specific Situations

.54 - Table Manners

LON Author Based on the author's last name

1993 Year Usually the year the book was published

Why use LC or Dewey?
Whether LC or Dewey is used in a library is based on the size of the collection. Dewey is divided into 10 classes, or broad
subjects. This limits the number and variety of call numbers that can be assigned to books, making it better suited for
libraries with smaller collections, such as school libraries or public libraries. LC, on the other hand, has 21 classes, which
allows for more call numbers needed for the greater number of books owned by larger academic libraries.

Dewey Decimal Classification Library of Congress Classification

000 Generalities A General Works

100 Philosophy, Paranormal B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion

Phenomena, Psychology

200 Religion C Auxiliary Sciences Of History

300 Social sciences D History (General) And History Of Europe

400 Language E History: America (National)

500 Natural sciences and F History: America (Local)

mathematics

600 Technology and Applied G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation

Sciences

700 The Arts Fine and Decorative H Social Sciences

Arts

800 Literature (Belles-Lettres) and J Political Science

Rhetoric

900 Geography, History, and K Law

Auxiliary Disciplines

L Education

M Music And Books On Music

N Fine Arts

P Language And Literature

Q Science

R Medicine
 S Agriculture

T Technology

U Military Science

V Naval Science

Z Bibliography. Library Science. Information Resources

(General)

LC Call E History: America

Number
Outline
E151-889 United States
A General Works
E184.5- African Americans
185.98
AE Encyclopedias

F History: America
B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion

F1-975 United States Local History

BF Psychology

F336-350 Mississippi
BL-BX Religion

F1201- Latin America. Spanish America.

C Auxiliary Sciences Of History
3799

D History (Except America)

G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation

DA Great Britain
GN Anthropology

DC France
GR Folklore

DD Germany
GV Recreation. Leisure.

DP Spain - Portugal
H Social Sciences

DS Asia
HA-HJ Business (Economics, Industries, Finance)
HF5600- Accounting P Language And Literature
5689
PC Romance Languages
HM-HX Sociology
PD Germanic Languages
HQ The Family. Marriage. Women.
PE English Language
HV Social Pathology. Social and Public Welfare.
Criminology.
PL Chinese and Japanese Languages and
Literature
J Political Science
PN Literature (General)
K Law
PN1600- Drama (Films, Theater, etc.)
KF Law: U.S. 3307

KFM660 Law: Mississippi PQ Romantic Literature (French, Italian,

1-7199 Spanish, Portuguese)

L Education PR English Literature (British)

LB Teaching PS American Literature

M Music PT Germanic Literature

ML Literature on Music PZ Juvenile Literature

MT Musical Instruction and Study Q Science

N Fine Arts QA Mathematics. Computer Science

NA Architecture QB Astronomy

NB Sculpture QC Physics

NC Drawing. Design. Illustration. (Commercial QD Chemistry

Art)
QE Geology
ND Painting
QH Natural History. Biology
QK Botany TJ Mechanical Engineering and Machinery

QL Zoology TK Electrical Engineering. Electronics.

QP Physiology TX Home Economics

QR Microbiology TX 642- Cookery

840
R Medicine
TX341- Nutrition. Food and Food Supply
641
RA Public Aspects of Medicine (Public Health,
Environmental Health)
U Military Science
RS Pharmacy and Materia Medica
V Naval Science
S Agriculture
Z Bibliography. Library Science.
Information Resources (General)
T Technology (General)

TA Engineering (General). Civil Engineering

How to Read LC Call Numbers

The call number's

appearance differs
depending where it is found.

On a book's label, the parts

of the call number are
stacked vertically, and are
read from top to bottom.

In the online catalog, the call

number is written
horizontally in a single line,
and is read from left to
right.
Understanding LC Call Numbers

Most call numbers have four parts :

• General / Broad Subject

• Narrower Topic
• Cutter Number (represents author, corporation, or title)
• Year of Publication

Title: Price control under fair trade legislation

Author: Ewald T. Grether

HF Commerce

5415 Business → Marketing → General works

.G67 Cutter number for Grether

1939 Year of publication

But there are other forms that call numbers can take. For example:
Title: More West Highland tales
Author: John Francis Campbell

PB Modern languages. Celtic languages

1645 Gaelic (Scottish Gaelic, Erse) → Literature → Folk literature

.C26 Cutter number for Campbell

v.1 & v.2 Volume 1 and Volume 2

For more examples of this type of call number, go here.

Title: Louisbourg portraits : life in an eighteenth-century garrison town

Author: Christopher Moore

F History : America (numbers 1001-1145.2) - British America (includ

1039 Nova Scotia. Acadia

.5 Cities, towns, etc., A-Z

.L8 Louisbourg

M66 Cutter number for Moore

1982 Year of publication

Title: The sun also rises
Author: Ernest Hemingway

PS American literature

3515 Individual authors → 1900-1960 → H

.E37 Author's cutter number, using second letter (hEmingway)

S8 Title (sun - the, a, an ignored)

1954 Year of publication

Title: Almanac of the 50 states

REF Library collections → Reference

HA Statistics

203 Statistical data → By region or country → America → United State

.A5 Title

1996 Year of publication

How LC Call Numbers are Arranged on the Shelves

The average call number has four lines on a book label, and each of those lines are read differently.

The first line is made up of 1-3 letters, and is read in alphabetical order.

A B BC BF CJ D G GE GR H

The second line is made up of whole numbers, and is read numerically. The numbers in
this line may sometimes have decimals.

1 5 25 78 126 333 790 790.5 1357 4274

This line is called the cutter number, which usually represents the author's last name, but
can also stand for the name of a corporation or the book's title. It is read first
alphabetically by letter, and then the numbers are read as a decimal.

.D12 .D3 .G45 .G5 .G56 .G564 .G5643 .G6 .G67 .H2

The last line is the year of publication, and is read in chronological order.

1654 1776 1796 1854 1910 1959 1959b 1978 1999 2001

Some labels, though, may have more than four lines.

 This call number has two cutter numbers. The first cutter number narrows the topic;
in this case .M7 stands for Mississippi. The second cutter number on this label, I5,
represents the book's title. Both are read like the examples of cutter numbers above.

Ending the call number may be letters or numbers designating the book's order in a
series or set. They are read either numerically (v.1, v.2, v.3, ...) or alphabetically
(ser.A, ser.B, ...). Some common examples are:

v.1 Volume 1

v.193(1998) Volume 193, year 1998

v.37, no.2 Volume 37, Number 2

no. 305 Number 305

ser.B Series B

Suppl Supplement

The call number may also end with a copy number (c.2, c.3, ...). This is used to tell
multiple copies of the same book apart.

Physical Locations in the Library

Prefix on Collection Physical Location Circulates? Access

Label

(blank) Main Library All floors Yes Open

Stacks
A-H 3rd floor

J-K, N-RC 2nd floor

L Mezzanine A

RC-Z 1st floor

(blank) AICPA Collection throughout stacks, primarily on 3rd floor Yes Open
Stacks

(blank) Current Periodicals 2nd floor, East No Open

Stacks

Fed. Doc Federal Government

Documents Open
1st floor Yes
Stacks
St. Doc. State Documents

Juv. Coll. Juvenile Mezzanine C Yes Open

Stacks

Media Media 1st floor Yes Open

Stacks

Microform Microforms 1st floor No Open

Stacks

Music Music 1st floor Yes Open

Stacks

Ref. Reference 1st floor No Open

Stacks

(blank) Reserve 1st floor, West Yes Ask at

Circulation
Desk

Spec. Coll. Special Collections

Ask at
Special
M.C. Mississippi Collection 3rd floor, East No
Collection
Desk
Blues Blues Archives