Policies for Classification

Department: Technical Services

Classification Policy

updated 11/2019

Purpose and Definitions

Call numbers provide an address that tells users where the item is housed in the library. Classification systems were developed to generate call numbers so that like things are housed together. Classification by subject allows users to browse a subject area and find materials serendipitously.

No subject classification scheme is perfect. Materials may cover more than one subject, but only one subject can be signified by the classification number. As knowledge grows and changes, the classification scheme must be changed to adapt.

All classification numbers functions as call numbers; they provide an address that tells where the item is housed in the library. The policy statement below subscribes to the concept that providing this address is the primary purpose of assigning classification numbers. Grouping materials by subject is important and highly desirable, but because classification by subject can never be perfect, the grouping function remains the secondary purpose, albeit a high second. The policy below has been developed to get materials on our shelves efficiently with a classification number that is good enough to make browsing a reasonable finding option.

Policy

Library Services will use the Library of Congress (LC) classification system for all materials except games, musical sound recordings, selected government publications, selected archival materials and materials housed in the Stager Recreational Reading Collection. See separate policies and procedures for those materials.
To maintain a high level of productivity with records of acceptable quality, Library Services will follow LC practice as much as possible in applying classification numbers.

The statements below explain how this policy is to be applied.

1. Materials in series. Library Services will follow the LC practice established for the series as recorded in the OCLC series authority record. (Most of these authority records are also in Galileo if we have previously cataloged something else in the series.) Exceptions to following LC series treatment are noted below:

a. If a local classification practice has been defined and recorded in a local standing order record or locally stored series authority record, the library will follow the locally defined practice.
b. If LC changes series treatment classification, the Head of Technical Services will review our treatment and decide whether or not to adopt the change or to continue the former treatment as a local practice. For prolific series, there is a strong incentive to follow LC with the change to maintain productivity.
c. If LC provides two classification numbers with the option to either class the series together or to class individual items separately, the Head of Metadata Services will choose the option best suited to our library and establish it as our local practice.

2. Materials with DLC copy and no series statement. Library Services will use the call number in the appropriate 050 field for materials with DLC copy. (See DLC cataloging procedures for guidelines for dealing with records with multiple O50 fields.)

Exceptions:

a. We will not use PZ1-4 (Contemporary English adult fiction.) If that is the only call number on DLC copy, forward the book to a librarian to generate PR or PS number.
b. If LC offers an alternative subject classification number for bibliographies (Z1001 –Z8999), we will use the subject classification. Otherwise, we will use the Z number.

3. Materials without DLC copy and no series statement. All the practices and exceptions noted above will be applied when assigning classification numbers to materials without LC copy.

a. If a variant edition for the item in hand exists with DLC copy, the cataloger will apply the classification number assigned by LC for the most recent variant edition cataloged by LC. Appropriate Cutters for translation and date extensions will be applied as needed and defined by LC. This practice will be applied, even if the library owns a
variant edition in a number other than the one used by LC.
b. If the Library owns a variant edition, and there is no established LC practice for any variant edition of the work, the Library will apply the number assigned to the owned variant edition. Appropriate Cutters for translation and date extensions will be applied as needed and defined by LC.
c. If there is no established number for a variant edition in either our catalog or in the Library of Congress, the cataloger will assign a number that is best suited for our collection by grouping the item with as many like materials as possible. We may choose to adopt the call number established by the OCLC inputting library or change it.

Implications

This policy has been established to maintain a high level of cataloging productivity with an acceptable level of quality. If a classification practice is good enough for the Library of Congress, it will be good enough for us most of the time.

One implication of this policy is that as Library of Congress practices change, so will ours, with the possible exception of series treatment. By accepting LC numbers, will be using the most up-to-date classification treatment, since it is LC that creates new classification numbers and defines their use.

Another important implication of this policy is that variant editions of work may or may not be classed together, depending on what the Library of Congress does. LC regularly applies newly defined LC numbers to new editions, rather than keeping the editions together in a classification that is no longer used, or has been redefined. Metadata Services staff will adhere to the established policy and not be concerned if variant editions are not shelved together. Subject liaisons may either pull older editions for withdrawal, or ask the Head of Metadata Services if the older edition can be reclassed to the new number.

Requests for reclassification should be directed only to the Head of Metadata Services. When making such requests, consider that that time spent reclassifying is time not spent providing access to newly received materials. Requests for reclassification should be made sparingly. Reclassification will be done only for materials in good condition, or of timeless value, or of significant current value where a case can be made that the current classification impedes use.

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