Cataloguing and Processing
A Resource for School Library Personnel
Chapter 7: Classification
A classification number now should be added to the T-slip. It appears in the upper left-hand corner opposite the author. In classifying library collections, numbers or letters are assigned to the books to represent the subject of the book. These notations, which are called "call numbers," are also used to arrange the books on the shelves. Generally library collections are separated into four major categories: Easy, Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Reference.
7.1 Easy (Card Examples) [Figures 20a and 20b]Easy books are normally found in every elementary school and include picture books and easy-to-read fiction suitable for children in the Early Years. All Easy books take the notation "E." Easy books are usually arranged in alphabetical order by the first three letters of the author's last name. Where there is no author, the first three letters of the title are substituted. Please note that "a," "an," and "the" are to be omitted when filing by title (e.g., for A Promise is a Promise, the book would be filed under the word "Promise").
Figure 20a Easy (Card Examples)
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Figure 20b
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7.2 Fiction (Card Example) [Figure 21a, 21b, and 21c]
Fiction materials are usually designated by F, FIC, or Fic and are also arranged alphabetically by the author's surname. Again, the first three letters of the author's surname are used. If no author is identified the first three letters of the title are employed.
Figure 21a Fiction (Card Examples)
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Figure 21b
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Figure 21c
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School libraries primarily use the Abridged Dewey Decimal Classification scheme to organize their non-fiction materials. It is a hierarchical classification scheme which uses the decimal principal for subdivision. There are ten main classes into which all areas of knowledge are subdivided. Each main class is broken down into 10 subdivisions and each subsequent division is further broken down into 10 more subdivisions. Examples follow
- 900 -- History
- 970 --- North American History
- 971 -- Canadian History
- 971.2 -- Canadian Prairie History
- 971.27 -- Manitoba History
The Abridged Dewey Decimal Classification is frequently misused and some formal instruction in classification should be undertaken before attempting its use. Contact Red River Community College or the University of Manitoba, Faculty of Education, regarding courses and programs.
7.3.1 Number Building in DeweyAs a general rule, the Dewey classification number should be kept as brief as possible. Assignment of class numbers begins with determining the general subject of the book and the treatment it requires. Clues may be gathered from the title, the table of contents, the description on the dust jacket, the preface and the text. Titles can be misleading and classification by title alone is not recommended. If a book has two or more subjects try to determine which subject best describes the contents of the item. Then select the classification number accordingly.
The Dewey Decimal Classification scheme classifies materials primarily by a disciplinary approach to the subject. The subject "corn" as a farm product goes under the number for farming. "Corn" as a grain may go in a number in the Pure Sciences, the 500s. "Corn" as a basis for designing decorative displays for fall goes in the 700s.
Once the subject area of the book has been determined, a class number is assigned in the following manner. Use the current unabridged or abridged edition of Dewey to
- turn to the outline of the ten main classes provided at the beginning of the classification scheme and determine in which main class the item belongs
- turn to the outline of the 100 divisions of the 10 main classes, (also provided at the start of the classification scheme) and determine in which division of the main class the item belongs
- turn to the schedules (i.e., the detailed outline of the classification numbers) and select the most specific number for the item. For all but the very largest school collections, a maximum of three places beyond the decimal point, or the first logical break, should be sufficient
As with fiction materials, the classification number is completed with the first three letters of the author's last name. If there is no author, the first three letters of the title are used omitting "a," "an," and "the."
Figure 22a Example of the non-fiction classification
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Figure 22b
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Figure 22c
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A subject heading should always include the name of a person in a biographical work. These headings should include the full name of the individual and the person's birth and death dates, if applicable. It is often necessary to consult reference sources such as a biographical dictionary or encyclopedia to determine the exact spelling of the person's name and the appropriate dates.
Individual biographies about men are to be classified as 920.71. Individual biographies about women are to be classified as 920.72. The first three letters of the name of the person in the story are to follow the class number in the case of individual biography. General collections of biography not limited by place, period or specific subject are to be classed as 920.02. Such collections are entered by title. In such cases the first three letters of the title will follow the 920.02 class number. (The Dewey classification optionally makes provision to class individual biography in 92 or B. Collective biography may be classed in 92 or 920 undivided.)
Optionally, biographies may be classed in the specific subject area with which the person is associated.
7.3.3.1 Biography Subject Heading (Card Example) [Figure 23]
Figure 23
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7.3.3.2 Biography Subject Heading (MARC Example) [Figure 24]
Figure 24
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The 600 personal subject field is used for biographies.
The "1" and the "0" are indicators. The "1" indicates a single surname which is the most common format. The "0" indicates the subject is derived from a Library of Congress authority file.
The $a is a subfield introducing the name subfield area.
The 650 subject field is worthy of comment as well.
The "0" is an indicator which notes this is a Library of Congress subject heading.
The $a introduces the subject Painters.
The $z is a subfield which denotes a geographic location, in this case Canada.
The $x is a subfield which introduces a general subdivision in the Library of Congress Subject Headings, in this case Biography.
7.3.4 ReferenceMost libraries will have a reference section for materials such as encyclopedias, dictionaries, atlases, and almanacs. These items are housed in a separate section for materials which normally do not circulate. To indicate an item as a reference book include the notation "REF" with the call number.
7.3.4.1 Reference (Card Example) [Figure 25]
Figure 25
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7.3.4.2 Reference (MARC Example) [Figure 26]
Figure 26
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In many cases, libraries possess big books and oversized documents which do not fit comfortably on shelves. Frequently, these items are laid on their sides and gravity eventually pulls the text out of its binding. A common solution is to create an oversized section in the library to house such items. To alert users to where these items are located, add the prefix OS above the call number. The result is greater longevity for the books and a neater overall appearance. An oversized item may be any monograph over 30 cm high.
7.3.5.1 Oversized Materials (Card Example) [Figure 27]
Figure 27
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7.3.5.2 Oversized Materials (MARC Example) [Figure 28]
Figure 28
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