18 Introduction to major classification systems: structure and features of LC
Dr M P Satija
1. The Library of Congress (LC): A brief introduction
Library of Congress was founded in 1800 in Washington with 700 books purchased from the third US President Thomas Jefferson(1743-1826). Collection was destroyed in Civil War (1860-1865). In 1897, the Library of Congress was shifted to new building ,called Jefferson building by the time its collection was two million. The John Adams Building was completed in 1939 and the James Madison Memorial Building in 1980, all at the Capitol in Washington, DC. By objectives, it is a world library. The LC is more than a National Library by collection The U.S. Government and people are library minded. It is a largest depository library which meets the information needs of its legislative members. The Library serves as the research arm of the U S Congress and is de facto recognized as the national library of the United States. Open to those age 16 and older without charge or special permission, it is the world’s largest library and a great resource to scholars and researchers. More than 17 lac readers, researches and visitors come here annually. Its staff of nearly 3,600 is directed by the Librarian of Congress, who is appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed the Senate. Librarian may not be professionally trained but is a scholar of repute. Its collections comprise the world’s most comprehensive record of knowledge. It has more than 34.5 million books and printed materials, as well as more than 117 million maps, manuscripts, photographs, films, audio and video recordings, prints and drawings, and other special collections. Books and other materials are shelved on some 838 miles of shelves in three buildings on Capitol Hill and off-site storage facilities. Library is closed access.
1.1 e-Resources
Since 1994 the Library of Congress has digitized materials available online concentrating on its most rare and unique collections not available elsewhere in the world. It includes digitized photographs, manuscripts, maps, sound recordings, motion pictures, and books, as well as “born digital” materials such as Web sites. In addition, the Library maintains and promotes the use of digital library standards and provides online research and reference services. The Library provides one of the largest bodies of noncommercial high-quality content on the Internet.
2. Its Classification
As the name tells, this scheme was developed by the Library of Congress for the Library of Congress and is certainly of the Library of Congress from 1904 to 1948 but continued to 1963/1993. Its development is an ever continuous process.
2.1 History
On shifting to the new building it was decided to change its Jeffersonian classification system. The first four years in the new building were years of organizing work of the first order. It was designed specifically for the purposes and collection of the Library of Congress to replace system developed by Thomas Jefferson. At that time its librarian was Herbert Putnam (1862-1955) who suggested adopting a modern classification for its vast collection. JCM Hanson (1864-1943) was appointed Superintendent of the Catalogue Department at the LC in 1897. He is credited to be a father of Cooperative Cataloguing. He brought in Charles Martel(1872-1945) as his Chief assistant. Hanson always gave credit to Martel for the LCC, though his own role in conception and notation is considerable Putnam sent Martel and Hanson to libraries located across the nation to find a classification system that would work with the collection. Charles Martel was the Head, Classification Division who was responsible to reclassify according to a more practical and flexible arrangement. Objective was to design a system of classification which not merely recognizes present contents but provides elasticity for future development. The staff designed a new largely independent classification, though the influence of Expensive Classification by C ACutter(1837-1903) is too obvious. Thus first outline of the Library of Congress Classification was published in 1904 by Charles Martel and J.C.M. Hanson – the two fathers of Library of Congress Classification. From 1904-1948 the scheme was developed as the LC collection was actually classified.Z Library Science class was the first to complete and K (Law) the last class.
3. Main features
1. This scheme is a classic example of an enumerative scheme. No synthesis is possible even the (Common Isolates) are enumerated and clearly enumerated for each class in 11000 pages long schedule.
2. Schedule is very bulky due to individual details. P Language and Literature class alone contain 3200 pages (whereas entire DDC has 4000 and Colon 200 pages).There are 31 places for the different editions of the same book: Rights of Man /by Thomas Paine.
3. Scheme has no theory. It is totally pragmatic which is based not on any scientific order, but on literary warrant of the LC: What is not in the LC is not in the LCC. It is not any map of knowledge. It is a classification of the Library of Congress.
4. It was not designed as a universal system, but the one made serve the LC specifically.
5. Each major class is virtually independent of the others with its own form and geographical divisions and index.
6. It has always been extended and remodeled with the incoming flow of actual books of the Congress Library. Editors keep developing the schedules as they classify. It makes heavy use of Alphabetical arrangement within classes.
7. Its hospitality to new subjects is enormous.
8. No other general classification scheme has the privilege of being developed by a library ,and that so large .
4.Structure and Main Classes
After completion of the outline in1904 the various classes were developed by subject experts. This classification is essentially a team product and in many ways. It is at best a co-ordinated series of special classifications which is in 29 parts contained in 50 volumes. Each major class is published separately and is virtually independent of the others. Thus, it is general as well as a special scheme. General as it covers all areas of knowledge; special due its depth of details. Though being enumerative, it is a highly detailed scheme. For its 21 main classes it uses alphabets A/Z:
A Generalia
B Philosophy, Psychology and Religion C/F History
G Geography
H Social Sciences
J Political Science
K Law
L Education
M Music
N Fine Arts
P Language and Literature
Q Science
R Medicine
S Agriculture
T Technology
U Military Science
V Naval Science
Z Library Science and Bibliography
The letters I, O, W, X and Y are not used in the main outline. Arrangements of main classes may not be not logical but is thoughtfuland very pragmatic.
4.1 Division of 21 Main Classes
Each class except Z Library science has been further divided alphabetically. Principle divisions are denoted by an added letter, such as BC – Logic, BD – Metaphysics, BE – Psychology, and so on:
QA Mathematics
QB Astronomy
QC Physics
QD Chemistry
QE Geology
QH Natural History
QK Botany
QL Zoology
QM Human Anatomy
QP Physiology
QR Microbiology
QD Chemistry
23.3-26.5 Alchemy
71-142 Analytical Chemistry
146-197 Inorganic Chemistry
241-441 Organic Chemistry
450-731 Physical & theoretical
901-999 Crystallography
Now it sometime used three digits of alphabet as KKC,KKX in Law. Each topic (often referred to as a caption) is assigned a single number or a span of numbers. Whole numbers used in LCC may range from one to four digits in length, and may be further extended by the use of decimal numbers. Main classes and sub-division of two/three digits are further divided by 1to 4 numerals of arithmetical numbers ,e.g. QD Chemistry QD3241. This number is not decimal number as in DDC, UDC and CC. Now of late to insert new topics it has started making use of decimal extensions, e.g.,
Q QD149 History of Inorganic chemistry
D149.5 General history of Inorganic chemistry
Many topics are further divided alphabetically. In fact the System makes too much use of alphabetical notation. Alphabets are used for extension as given in Cutter’s Table, e.g.
BF 575 Forms of emotions(Psychology)
.A5 Anger
.A 9 Awe
.F2 fear
.H3 Hate
.L8 Love
Take another example:
LB1599 Manual Training in Education LB1599.K6 Knife work (Here K6 represents knife)
Each subclass includes a loosely hierarchical arrangement of the topics pertinent to the subclass, going from the general to the more specific. Individual topics are often broken down by specific places, time periods, or bibliographic forms (such as periodicals, biographies, etc.)
5. Common Isolates
Each class has its own complicated system of auxiliary tables. Common isolates are enumerated under every main class and number differs from class to class of same common isolate e.g.
HA Statistics
HB Economic Theory
HD Economics
1Peridicals 1-9 Periodicals
101 Periodicals
9-11 Congresses
21-29 Congresses
105 Congresses
LB1599.K6A53 by Anderson, 1st edition
LB1599.K6A53 1975 (Edition of 1975)
Here A53 denotes Anderson
Z693.W94 1991 for Wynar’sCataloging and classification (published in 1991)
Even geographical subdivisions differ from class to class: In class G itis:
Afghanistan A2, Algeria A4, Argentina A7,but under HJ 6082 Foreign Governments Publications, itis: .A2 British, .A3 French, .A4 German, .A5 Spanish
6. Notation
LC notation is highly mixed one. It is clear that LC uses a combination of letters and figures. It is not at all synthetic, every number has been enumerated. The single letter indicates the General Class, an additional letter, the general divisions of a class and the Arabic figures in numerical sequence, its smaller divisions which do not show hierarchy. Usually it is 2 letters 3 numerals. It is easy to use and provides enormous hospitality. Notation is not mnemonics except the Alphabetical Device or incidentally literal mnemonics such as G Geography, M Music and T Technology.
6.1 Devices for Hospitality:
As already stated, for hospitality it mostly employs the following methods:
Gap Device: Apart from vacancy of I,O,W,X and Y, there are many gaps left at the second level of subdivisions. For example in B mathematics BK,BS,BT, in P Literature PU and in Q Science QF, QG ,and QN are lying vacant. Number of vacant places in the series 1-9999 in every class is too large.
Decimal fraction device: . This method is of recent origin. There are many places where an arithmetical number has been divided decimally. HB172.5 Macro Economics. Here 172 has been further extended decimally to accommodate a new topic under HB172.
Alphabetical Device: From the very beginning it makes too much use of alphabetical subdivisions of a topic which automatically provide infinite hospitality. But alphabetical arrangement is never logical. It is rather antithesis of a systematic arrangement.
Collected Works of Martin King – American History
E185.97.K5A2 Here K5 is for King(Martin)
QC16.E5 Einstein Albert 1879-1955,Here E5 is for Einstein
Year of publication is also added to make a full call number:
HD75.5.B37 2004 Economic growth/by R. Barro published in 2004
GV884.J36M67 2003 Biography of basketball star LeBron James/by David Morgan published in 2003.
6.2 Status of notation
The LCC notation is criticized because it does not show the structure of the scheme and the hierarchy is sometimes difficult to discern clearly from the schedules themselves. Its notation is neither synthetic nor mnemonic. Gap device is neither a permanent nor a scientific solution. It is simplistic : gaps may not be there at the right place. The day will come when all the gaps are filled. It is simply to postpone the crash. Decimal extension is the best solution for hospitality.
7. Index
The Scheme is in different parts. Each part has its own indexes. There is no cumulative index to the scheme in print as a whole. The indexes are of relative kind, comprehensive one. But these are merely repetitive of the schedule, not supplementary to them. But the drawback is if you do not know the subject where you will go/see the subject. So general cumulative index is necessary. Need for the general index is largely fulfilled by Library of Congress : Subject Headings (LCSH).
8. Revision
The scheme is constantly revised because it is used in Library of Congress which is the producer as well as a consumer. Thus revision is a constant process. Very often it is often referred to as “A classification of the LC by the LC for the LC”. Its revision policy is excellent. Everything is in place and at hand for revision which is the responsibility of the Cataloging Policy and Support Office(CPSO) at the LC. It holds weekly meetings of the classifiers who bring problems and suggestions for discussion. About 5/6000 classes are added and changed every year. Any finally new or changed number immediately comes into effect and is incorporated in LCC database. It is further listed in the Library of Congress Classification Weekly List posted on the www.loc.gov./catdir/cpso/cpso.html.#class.The continuous changes, expansion and insertion in various other classes are reflected in the quarterly periodical non-cumulative bulletin, Additions and Changes to the Library of Congress Classification. Different schedules are revised now and then. They are not simultaneously revised:
Q Science is in the 6th edition
K Law has only been completed recently
P Language and Literature is still in first edition
Print Outline is in 7th edition (2003)
It is clear that for convenience scheme as a whole is not revised. It is revised in parts as needed. LC revision is obviously balanced, adequately financed, and eminently satisfactory to those who support the existing LC structure and policy.
Gale Research earlier produced a CD-ROM version of the schedule with their addition and changes titled SUPER LCCS CD. Now it is accessible on the web (http://www.cengage.com/search/productOverview.do?Ntt=Library+of+Congress) and also in 40 volumes of print. It is Library of Congress Classification Schedules Combined with Additions & Changes.Updated annually, each of the 40 volumes combines in one sequence the current edition of every Library of Congress classification schedule together with all additions, changes and deletions published in LC Classification – Additions and Changes through2001 and the online LC Classification – Weekly Lists since 2002. Thus, for each classification schedule, catalogers need only look at this single source for current classification information. In addition Gale has added “Gale notes” to the text to clarify instructions and explain the “shorthand” phraseology used in the schedules.
Classification Webby the LC which includes LC Subject Headings is available on annual subscription with quarterly updates. It provides both LCC and LCSHs with link between many of the class numbers and the LCSH equivalents. In addition it displays correlation among LCC,LCSH and WeDewey(OCLC) as these are found in bibliographic records Information can be found on <lcweb.loc.gov.>.Web version is convenient and efficient as it allows search by key words, class number, proximity options, Boolean operation, etc.
9. Use
The Library’s Policy and Standards Division maintains and develops the system.The complete text of the classification schedules in printed volumes may be purchased from the Cataloging Distribution Service, Library of Congress, Bibliographic Products and Services.
Online access to the complete text of the schedules is available in Classification Web, a subscription product that may also be purchased from the Cataloging Distribution Service.
- 41 printed volumes (called schedules), which may be purchased individually or as a set as long as copies are available
- World Wide Web access via Classification Web, an online product that includes not only LCC but also the text of Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH)
- A full set of LCC records in MARC 21 or MARCXML format, as well as subscriptions to a weekly update service
- A detailed outline of LCC is available in open access on the World Wide Web. (http://www.loc.gov/catdir/cpso/lcco/)Now available in CD-ROM along with LCSH known as Classification Plus.
9.1 Use Outside the LC
Undoubtedly this scheme was devised for LC only, but now being highly specialized one it is very useful in research library/libraries. Sixty percent research libraries in the U.S. are using it from the 1920s onwards. It is strong in Law and Social Sciences. The National Library of Medicine classification system (NLM) uses the initial letters W and QS–QZ, which are not used by LCC. Some libraries use NLM in conjunction with LCC, eschewing LCC’s R for Medicine. Others use LCC’s QP–QR schedules and include Medicine.In 1960 Libraries abandoned DDC and started using L.C. This scheme has a guaranteed future. Many libraries of Asia, Europe and even National Libraries are using this scheme. One reason for this is the extra detail and scholarship offered, another is the Library of Congress Catalogue cataloguing service which makes such an important contribution to standardization and economies in cataloguing. MARC tapes and CIP data. Moreover, it is pragmatic.
Over the course of the twentieth century, the system was adopted for use by other libraries as well, especially large academic libraries in the United States. It is currently one of the most widely used library classification systems in the world. The LCC has historically made few concessions to the needs of the other users to its scheme. Latterly, however it has shown greater responsiveness, a readiness to go at least a little of the way towards making provisions not necessary for its own purpose. This it now gives number for fiction in English in the appropriate Period Divisions of the literature classes, even though in the LC itself all this material is dumped in PL 1-4. Similarly, the library is slowly responding to pressure to modernize and neutralize the terminology of its schedules and subject headings.
10. Its Magic:
Scholars of library classification feel that LC conveys no hierarchy or order of facets. It is a mark & park series of pigeon order and such a flouting of tradition out to have deserved condign punishment instead the scheme of flourishing. LCC has been criticized for lacking a sound theoretical basis; many of the classification decisions were driven by the practical needs of that library rather than to produce any map of knowledge. That is, it provides a guide to the books actually in one library’s collections, not a classification of the world. The LCC violates all the postulates, principles and the laws that are considered important in classification making
Why it works: Its broad and unlimited hospitality is one major reason.LC class numbers are available on MARC records. They are printed in CIP data for downloading records and copy cataloguing. This is another major factor for its popularity throughout the world. In MARC format the LC call number is found in field number 060; in a locally assigned call number 090 in the proper field. The classification has had considerable and continuing success, especially in its own library – where classifier and classificationist are one and the same institution. Its producer and main consume is the same, called prusmer It is triumph for pragmatism and its own discursive rules and sense of priorities made this scheme most popular. In spite of all this, theoretical basis for subject analysis is badly needed. Nevertheless,going by its history and position it has an assured future.
11. Glossary
Classification Web :An online product accessed via the www that includes LCC and the LCSH. In brief, it is an electronic version of LCC which has many more features including the LCSH to search and apply the LC classification.
Cutter numbers :Alpha-numeric table of authors and their notations designed by CA Cutter (1837-1903) to alphabetically sub-arrange books within the same class. Many varying tables of Cutter Author numbers are available. The LCC uses these numbers in a very simplified way usually an alphabet followed by a single decimal numeral. The Cutter numbers in the LCC numbers are used both for alphabetical subject divisions as well as book numbers on the shelves.
Enumerative classification: A kind of classification which is a systematic list along with their class numbers of all the subjects of the past, present and the foreseeable future. The LCC is considered as the most outstanding example of this species of classification. However, the age of such systems has come to a close giving way to faceted system. The LCC thrives on its institutional strength.
Library of Congress: Library established in 1800 to serve the legislature and law makers of the US at Washington, LC has grown to become by all means the largest and greatest library in the world both in respect of collection, services and technical leadership. It houses more than 34.5 million books and 117 million items of non-book material in the form of maps, photographs, drawings, audio-visual material as well as electronic resources. In 1897, it designed its own in-house classification system under the direction of then chief librarian Herbert Putnam (1862-1955). This classification (LCC) is one of the great and successful living classification systems in the world.
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) :A huge, in 5 volumes, list of subject headings in thesaurus format prepared and maintained by the Library of Congress for alphabetical subject access to its collection. It is also popular with the other research and large libraries in the world. The Classification Plus also provides LCSH with LC class numbers. The LCSH also serves as an easy and effective index to the print schedules of the LCC.
Literary Warrant: A principle given by a British librarian E W Hulme in early 20th century to base library classifications on the actually published literature instead of theoretically dividing the universe of knowledge. It also means that classification making should be an inductive ,not deductive process. The LC is the best example and method of application of this principle: the scheme was designed by actually classifying books available there, and now it is revised and updated by classifying new books acquired in the library. It means what is not in the LC is not listed in the LCC.
12. References
- LC classification an easy to use manual is available at the following site:www.loc.gov/catdir
- www.geography.miningo.com/library/congress/allocation
- http://classweb.loc.gov/
- http://www.loc.gov/library/about-digital.html
- (http://www.loc.gov/catdir/cpso/lcco/)
- Chan, Lois Mai (1990), Immroth’s Guide to Library of Congress, 4th ed., Englewood, Colo : Libraries Unlimited, 436 p.
- Chan, Lois Mai (2007) Cataloguing and Classification : An Introduction , 3rd edition,
- Lanham, MD : The Scarecrow Press, pp.375-409
- Foskett, A.C (1996):Subject Access to Information, 5th ed. London : Library Association Publishing, pp. 324-335
- Immroth, J.P (1972) “Library of Congress Classification” In Classification in the 1970s, Rev. ed./ed. by A. Maltby. London: Bingley, pp. 81-88
- Library of Congress.Subject Cataloguing Division.Processing Services (2003).LC Classification Outline,7th ed. Washington, DC : LC,124p.
- Maltby, Arthur (1976), Sayers Manual of Classification for Librarians, 5th ed. London:
- Andre Deutsch, pp. 174-184
- Satija, M.P. (2004):A Dictionary of Knowledge Organization. Amritsar: GND University, pp.133-134
Learn More:
Module LIS/KOP – C/12(4) Library of Congress Classification
- Do you know
- Library of Congress (LC) at Washington, D.C., USA is the library of its parliament, though it is open to scholars from all over the world.
- The US has no national (general) library, but the LC is de facto its national library. In fact is a World Library in content, services and innovations.
- It is the largest library in the world with a collection of more than 3.5 crore books but much more than non-book material in the form of maps, drawings, photographs, AVs, manuscripts.
- Total length of its shelves comes up to 840 miles if placed in a single row.
- Library of Congress Classification (LCC) was developed in house from 1904 to 1948. The class K Law was developed late in 1960s.
- It is the first general classification designed for a specific library. It is influenced by the LC collection and administration.
- The LCC has the advantage of having a up-to-date and large laboratory in the form of the Library of Congress which acquires books from all over the world in all subjects and languages.
- Thus the LCC is kept up to date by constant revision by the in house editors.
- It is the best example of a classification based in literary warrant.
- It is the only living example of an enumerative classification to the core.
- Its schedule running to 11000 pages are the largest of any classification.