Using Library of Congress Classification
Like the Dewey system, LC divides knowledge into 21 broad categories and uses a letter to represent the fields. See page 93 of your text for a listing. There is a combination of letters and numbers in LC classification. There is NOT a main index but each subject volume has an index.. Some schedules also have Tables in the back or separate publications providing a further division. But for the most part, the classification schedules are complete. The Tables usually allow reference to an individual or specific place or time period. At this moment, I have 44 volumes of LC classification schedules and tables. This set is continuously updated and reprinted on an annual cycle as LC adds numbers.[Aha...this is a continuing resource!]
Look at the MARC record in the first image. The 650 tag says the book is a textbook about conducting. Looking at the volumes, M classification subject volume is chosen because the title is about Music.
The second image shows the index to the M schedule. 2 possibilities are given for conducting - history and instruction and study. The suggested classification number is MT85.
In the third image, we can verify that MT85 is the appropriate classification number.
So our LC classification number for this book is MT85. To complete the call number for LC, the Cutter number and publication year must be added. From the MARC record the author's last name is Green and the publication year is 2004. Using the Cutter table from the previous Module, G74 is used. Therefore, our call number for this item is MT85 G74 2004.
Notice in the third image that indentation is important to determine the correct number. Sometimes it is necessary to flip back several pages to be sure of which subheading you are viewing. In this image I have drawn lines showing the indentations - these are not present in the printed classification books.
The second example is of American Literature. In academic libraries fiction works are usually classified. In public or school libraries, it is common to have literature and fiction arranged by author's last name and kept in a separate section.
In the fourth image the MARC record shows a subject heading as well as an author. The decision was made at this library to keep the fiction works of authors together on the shelves. Therefore, this book will not be cataloged by its subject - Ojibwa Indians (also preventing people from being confused by what is fiction and what is fact). The book will be classified by its author - Louise Erdrich.
All of Louise Erdrich's fiction works will appear next to each other and in order by title using the LC system.
In the fifth image the Table of Contents for PR PS PZ Schedule is shown. PS is used for American literature. (Also notice a provision for children's literature - PZ - which is used at NPC libraries.) We must know the time period as well as the nationality of the writer. If this is not known, authority work on the name must be conducted - or - take a shortcut and see how LC classified the author. Louise Erdrich is writing in the 1961 + time period so we will go to the PS 3550-3576 section.
The sixth image shows how LC keeps authors in alphabetical order within their time period. The simplest way to get the correct additional number is to look for other books by Erdrich and copy the number. The classification must be consistent to achieve its purpose.
So we see the LC classification for Louise Erdrich is PS 3555.R42. The next step is to add a Cutter number but this time it is for the title of the book. Using the Cutter table in the previous Module we build the number - T73 and add the publication year.
PS3555.R42 .T73 2004 To provide an easily read spine label, the call number would be broken up - PS 3555 .R42 T73 2004 - the printer drops a line when it reads a space.
It is always necessary to take the time to read all the directions when using these tools.