Assigning Call Numbers and Holding Symbols

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The Library of Congress classification scheme is used for the majority of the items that are cataloged.  There are some exceptions to this.  Juvenile non-fiction is classified by the Dewey Decimal System and juvenile fiction and juvenile easy use Cutter-Sanborn numbers.  Selected state documents are classified using the Library of Congress classification scheme.  Call numbers for textbooks are created locally.  See "Deriving Call Numbers for Textbooks" for details.  No call numbers are assigned to microform, periodicals and portfolios.

  The call number assigned by the Library of Congress is used whenever one is available from the OCLC database.  These numbers are checked for typing and formatting mistakes but it is too time consuming to verify the numbers themselves.  Note the following exceptions:

1.  Bibliographies are to be classed with the subject, not in the "Z's".  Do not use Z5051-Z8999.  If an alternative class number is suggested by L.C., use it and assign a work cutter.       You should then delete the 050 and use the 090 for the number you devised.  See "Procedure for Classifying Bibliographies".

2.  Do not use PZ numbers.  When L.C. suggests an alternative number, use it; otherwise, search the OCLC database to see if L.C. has ever assigned an author number to the writer in question.  On finding such a number, use it to devise an appropriate call number.  When we catalog a book for which no L.C. author number can be found, we will assign one. This number must be followed by an appropriate cutter for the work in hand. 

3.  When later editions show a revised L.C. assigned number for a work, use the original number consistently for all manifestations of the work, adjusting each by a variant such as a date.

4.  When L.C. classes individual titles in a series together, check to see what our local practice has been regarding this series.  If we have no volumes in the series, a decision must be made as to whether it should be classed together or not.  If the cataloger decides to class the series together, a series title should be searched on OCLC for an authoritative title.

When no L.C. assigned number is available, a call number is devised and entered in the 090 field.  The Library of Congress class schedules, the additions and changes, and the L.C. cutter number table are used in that case.  The work cutter should consist of an alphabetic character and at least two digits.  It will occasionally be necessary to assign a L.C. class cutter (first of two cutters in the call number) but only when absolutely necessary.  In such a case the schedule should be annotated accordingly so that the same number can be used in the future. (Ex. Longwood College LD 3091.L36)  When devising a call number, always check the online VTLS shelf list to see if the number has been used previously. Care must be taken in formatting locally assigned call numbers.  See the section on guidelines for inputting of L.C. call numbers for assistance.