LibGuides: Cataloging Services: LC Classification: LC Classification

LC Classification at Illinois

The University of Illinois Library has historically used Dewey Decimal classification for the majority of the library's collection, and it currently works in both Dewey and LC (see the list of Collections by Classification).

This guide presents an overview of using LC Classification at Illinois and any local policy decisions made regarding implementation of LC Classification.

LCC Procedure

When classifying a book in LC:

1. Use any suggested number from 050, verifying against the LC schedules

If there is more than one suggested LC number, prefer the number in 050 00.
If no 050, ask a knowledgeable colleague or your supervisor.

2. The Library does not use PZ classification for literature. All literature (regardless of how it was acquired) if classed using LC Class numbers, will have a number for the author by nationality and by year of first publication (LC Classes PQ-PT).

If the item has another number in the OCLC record that begins with PQ-PT, use that number.
If there is no such number, for example:
Copy the OLCC# (035 field) and open the record in OCLC Connexion.
Click on the hyperlinked author’s name to open their Name Authority File.
Use the number in the 053 field for adult works
Enter the number as it appears in the 053 in the subfield h of 852 field in the holding record.
Use the Cataloging Calculator or the cataloging table below to Cutter for the title of the work.
The title of the work, followed by a space and the date of publication, is entered in subfield i of in the 852 field in the holding record.

3. If there is no suggested number, construct one using the first subject heading in the record.

4. Always check the call number in Alma for uniqueness across all libraries using the Search & Browse feature in the MD editor.

LC Cutters

When creating Cutter numbers for LC Classification, use the table from the Cataloging and Shelflisting Manual: G63 (below).

You can also use the Cataloging Calculator to determine Cutter numbers. Simply enter the first words of the main entry in the search box and select the LC Cutter option.

1. After initial vowel
for the second letter: use number:	b 2	d 3	l-m 4	n 5	p 6	r 7	s-t 8	u-y 9
2. After initial letter S
for the second letter: use number:	a 2	ch 3	e 4	h-i 5	m-p 6	t 7	u 8	w-z 9
3. After initial letters Qu
for the second letter: use number:	a 3	e 4	i 5	o 6	r 7	t 8	y 9
For initial letters Qa-Qt, use 2-29
4. After other initial consonants
for the second letter: use number:	a 3	e 4	i 5	o 6	r 7	u 8	y 9
5. For expansion
for the second letter: use number:	a-d 3	e-h 4	i-l 5	m-o 6	p-s 7	t-v 8	w-z 9

1. After initial vowel

for the second letter:

use number:

l-m

s-t

u-y

2. After initial letter S

for the second letter:

use number:

h-i

m-p

w-z

3. After initial letters Qu

for the second letter:

use number:

For initial letters Qa-Qt, use 2-29

4. After other initial consonants

for the second letter:

use number:

5. For expansion

for the second letter:

use number:

a-d

e-h

i-l

m-o

p-s

t-v

w-z

Collections using LCC

The following table presents the which collections are currently using LC Classification at the University of Illinois Library.

Library	Classification
Carle Illinois College of Medicine	LC Classification for materials received before March 11, 2019. All materials received after March 11, 2019 should be classified in DDC.
Communications	LC Classification for incoming material, beginning August 1, 2018
History, Philosophy, and Newspaper	LC Classification
International & Area Studies	LC Classification for: All area studies except Slavic-language materials IAS New Books Shelf All English-language materials DDC for: Slavic language materials
Law	LC Classification
Literatures and Languages	LC Classification; DDC for non-circulating
Main Stacks (CAS) - Asian	LC Classification
Main Stacks (CAS) - all new literature (except Slavic)	LC Classification
Main Stacks (CAS) - LABO	LC Classification
Map	LC for maps LC for all incoming material beginning Sept. 18, 2018 Existing collection is being re-classed from DDC to LC
Music and Performing Arts	LC Classification
Scholarly Commons (see exceptions to item records)	LC Classification
Social Sciences, Health, and Education	LC Classification for new & re-classed materials DDC if: added copy where previous copy is already in Dewey added volumes (of serials or sets) where previous vols are already in Dewey Special classifications for S-Collection and Curriculum Collection
Undergraduate	LC Classification; DDC for periodicals

Scholarly Commons Cataloging Exceptions:

Item records

Item type is non-circulating (BOOK NOCIRC)
Remove the “In-process” item status