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The Basics

A call number consists of

• Class number: 1-3 Capital letters+ 1-4 numbers which together represent the subject of the resource. This subject should correspond to the first 650 field in the bib record, or the author's number if it is a work of fiction. The class number is sometimes called the "base call number."

• Cutter numbers: 1 Capital letter + 1-4 numbers which together represent a subcategory of the subject (usually tied to another 6XX field), the book's title (from the 245 field), or the author's last name (from the 100 field). Resources can have up to two cutter numbers to represent any combination of those categories, according to the instructions in the Classification Schedules.

• The publication date.

• Working letters: these are rarely used, but if needed, they can differentiate exact call number matches after the publication date.

General Principles of Classification

See CSM Sheet F 10

• The call number will always represent the resource's subject (the first 6XX field in the bib record) or in the case of fiction, its author. The call number will also always represent the resource's Main Entry (field 1XX in the bib record), or in records without a Main Entry, the 245 field. Call numbers represent the subject and Main Entry in a variety of ways.

• There should never be more than 2 cutter numbers (except in the case of maps or other unusual formats).

• Nonfiction resources should be classified by topic, not by place. Fiction resources should be classified by language (then, usually, by author), not by place. Geographic places are often represented in cutter numbers, but rarely in class numbers.

• Classify as close to the subject as possible, without going too far. For example, a book about the History of England from James II to William and Mary should be classified with English History in the 17^th century, which covers both James II and William and Mary. It should not be classified with books on the History of England under James II. That would be too specific (it wouldn't cover the whole book). It should also not be classified with books that are about the History of England in general, because that would be too broad.

• The length of a call number does not reflect the specificity of the resource's classification. Because class numbers are created as needed, there are not the same amount of subtopics and sub-subtopics for every class. Therefore, a class number with a single letter and a single number could be just as specific as a class number with 3 letters and 4 numbers.

Basic Steps to Creating a Call Number

1. Find the class number that represents the subject of the resource or the literary author the resource is associated with.

2. Follow any instructions in the Schedules.

3. Add a cutter number if necessary.

4. Ensure that your call number represents the subject of the resource and the main entry (field 1XX) of the record.

5. Add the publication date.

Finding the Class Number

Class numbers can appear in the Classification Schedules as either a single class number (e.g., LA4238) or a range of numbers (e.g., LA3248-4000). Each class number or range has a caption that describes what resources can be classified in that class number or range. Sometimes the Schedules also provide a cutter number with the caption as well.

Methods for identifying an appropriate class number:

1. Nonfiction: subject heading search.

If your first 6XX field is a 650, search the Subject Headings in Class Web for that 650. Some subject headings have corresponding class numbers or class number ranges listed with their subject heading entry in Class Web. These will be hyperlinked in brackets under the subject heading. Click the hyperlink and the Schedule will open to the appropriate class number. Browse the Schedule from there to determine the precise class number and follow instructions to add cutter numbers.

2. Nonfiction: browse the Classification Outline.

If your first subject heading did not have a listed corresponding class number, you can browse the LOC Classification Outline to identify potential subjects. When you have identified a class number (even just one letter can be helpful), search it in the Classification search in Class Web. Browse the Schedules from there to determine the precise class number and follow instructions to add cutter numbers.

3. Literature: Name Authority File Search

If you are classifying a work of literature—or if the first 6XX field is a 600 with a literary author's name, search the Name Authority File. Many literary authors have corresponding class numbers or ranges listed with their Name entry in Class Web. These will be hyperlinked in brackets under the name entry. Click the hyperlink and the Schedule will open to the author's class number or range. Browse the Schedule from there to determine the precise class number and follow instructions to add cutter numbers.

4. Literature: no listed class number

If the literary author does not have a listed class number, determine the appropriate two-letter start to their class number by browsing the Ps in the Classification Outline. Then, search that letter prefix in the Classification search in Class Web and Browse until you find the appropriate list of Individual authors in your author's language. Assign a class number that fits alphanumerically between two authors represented on the list whose last names frame your author's last name. Check to see if there is an existing call number already created for this author in the catalog. If so, use that author class number.

When you've found the appropriate caption for your resource (i.e., a caption that is as specific as possible without being too specific), copy down the full class number and cutter number, if provided. You will then need to determine if you should add an additional cutter number. If there are instructions in the Schedules for adding first or second call numbers, follow those first, then add any necessary additional cutters.