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The Library of Congress Classification (LCC) is a system of library classification developed by the Library of Congress. It is used by most research and university libraries in the U.S. and several other countries — most public libraries continue to use the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC). It is not to be confused with the Library of Congress Subject Headings.
The classification was originally developed by Herbert Putnam with the advice of Charles Ammi Cutter in 1897 before he assumed the librarianship of Congress. It was influenced by Cutter Expansive Classification, DDC, and was designed for the use by the Library of Congress. The new system replaced a fixed location system developed by Thomas Jefferson. By the time of Putnam's departure from his post in 1939 all the classes except K (Law) and parts of B (Philosophy and Religion) were well developed. It has been criticized as lacking a sound theoretical basis; many of the classification decisions were driven by the particular practical needs of that library, rather than considerations of epistemological elegance.
Although it divides subjects into broad categories, it is essentially enumerative in nature.
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RT @robertDouglass: Does thinking about the Library of Congress Classification system get you all hot and bothered? http://is.gd/5jyfq # ...
alejandro_garza (Alejandro Garza) Fri, 18 Dec 2009 17:48:36 -0000
RT @robertDouglass: Does thinking about the Library of Congress Classification system get you all hot and bothered? http://is.gd/5jyfq # ...
Understanding Call Numbers - Explains how library books are assigned their places on the shelves, using Library of Congress Classification.
Understanding Call Numbers - A tutorial to help unlock the mysteries of Library of Congress call numbers. Some tips about call numbers. Has a link to tables with more detail on each major subject area, like Q for science.
Meta Description: [ An outline of the Library of Congress Classification System, from your About.com Guide. ]
Using Call Numbers - Why libraries use call numbers. The three kinds of numbering systems used the most in the United States. Common SuDocs prefixes, an outline of the Library of Congress Classification system, and a quiz on LC call number order.
| How to Read a Library of Congress Call Number (University of Arkansas Libraries) | |
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