All libraries need a system to organize and locate their materials, Libraries arrange their materials on the shelves so that items on a given subject will be close to others on the same subject, This is called a Classification System, So, Classification is a system of coding and arranging library materials according to their subject and assigning a call number to that information resource.

1. Introduction to the Library of Congress
Classification System
Library of Congress Classification and References
(Race and Religion in the United States)
Presenter : Aziz El Hassani ( Multimedia Librarian)
a.elhassani@aui.ma
Ext :2135
Spring 2015
Mohammed VI
Library

2. Outline
Why Classification?
What is the LC Classification System?
What is a Call Number?

3. Classification System
• All libraries need a system to organize and locate their materials,
• Libraries arrange their materials on the shelves so that items on a
given subject will be close to others on the same subject,
• This is called a Classification System,
So,
Classification is a system of coding and arranging library
materials according to their subject and assigning a call
number to that information resource.

4. Library of Congress Classification
System (LCC)
History
• Developed at the United States’ Library of Congress in 1897 to
organize the LC book collections
• Later it was adoped by other libraries, especially large
academic libraries in the USA, because the classification
system can better accomodate large book collections
• It is currently one of the most widely used library classification
systems in the world

5. Library of Congress Classification System
(LCCS)
Classes and Subclasses
• The LC system divides all knowledge into
21 basic subject classes
• Each subject class is identified by a single
letter of the alphabet

7. Library of Congress Classification System
(LCCS)
Classes and Subclasses
• Each letter or class refers to a specific subject or
theme
• The alphabetical classes are also divided into
more specific subclasses identified most of the
time by two letters (i.e. PK, DS).
• So, each subclass presents a topic related
closely to the main class topic, going from the
general subject to the more specific
subdivisions.

8. Class B - PHILOSOPHY. PSYCHOLOGY. RELIGION
Subclasses:
BJ Ethics Subclass BL Religion Subclass BR Christianity Subclass BS The Bible
Subdivisions: Ethics– Religion, Christianity

9. Library of Congress Classification System
(LCC)
Classes and Subclasses
• The subclasses are also subdivided by sequential cardinal
numbers from 1 to 9999.
Example:
• B PHILOSOPHY. PSYCHOLOGY. RELIGION
– BJ1-1725 Ethics
 BJ71-1185 History and General Works, including
individual ethical philosophers
 BJ1188-1295 Religious ethics

10. Call Number?
• Each topic and class is assigned a unique
number (call number),
• The LC call number is created with both
letters and numbers,
• The call number is an alphanumeric
designation that uniquely identifies a
bibliographic item,
• The call number consists of :
– Class number or classification number: it is
the main subject of the work
– Book number or cutter number: it organizes
works within a class
– (Some items may also have date, volume,
copy number….)

11. Example of a complete LC Call Number:
Subclass
Subdivision
Cutter Number
Date
Volume
BL
3613
.E979
2007
V. 1

12. Call Number
• Once the call number is decided by the library cataloguers
(technical services), it is printed on a label and placed on the
item spine so that the call number can easily be seen
• All books are classified on the shelves
first by the subject of the book,
next by its location with in that subject area,
then, normally by author but sometimes by title
and date of publication

13. Classification
Examples
• B BC BD BF BL
• B183.L6 B183.51 B184.R73 B184.6
B184.61.C9
Hint: Read the full decimal number before
looking at the alphabetical cutter number.

14. Thank you!
For any questions, please contact:
Reference Desk
x2149
Multimedia Learning Center (MLC)
x2135