Lisa7098,
Having used the Library of Congress website for numerous searches,
your question peaked my curiosity. The cataloging system at the LOC
is extensive and, yes, that number you are referring to does have a
meaning.
The Library of Congress Classification System is based upon the
Library of Congress Classification outline. This outline consists of
48 volumes made up of over 13,000 pages (6th edition). It can be
purchased in whole, or in divisions, at
http://lcweb.loc.gov/cds/classif.html. However, I can provide you
with a basic description of the cataloging number system used at the
LOC in general, and the book you are referring to in specific.
The first letter in the catalog number represents one of the 21
(labeled A to Z, but missing I, O, W, X and Y) major divisions of the
Library of Congress System. The second letter represents a subdivision
within the major division. The first set of numbers after the two
letters define a book's subject. The There are occasions where the
first sequence of letters will be 1, 2, or 3 letters. Category E (US
History) and F (Local US History and American History) will not have a
second letter. Books in category K (Law), can have 3 letters.
The numbers following the letters help define a book's subject, and
assist in shelving. They are based upon the Dewey Decimal
Classification (DDC). The DDC is also broken down into divisions and
subdivisions.
The alphanumeric code following the numbers is a designator for the
author using the Cutter-Sanborn Three-Figure Author Table. The cutter
table was developed in 1969 buy Charles Ammi Cutter. The numbers
usually consist of the first letter of the author's last name and a
series of numbers that makes sure books end up placed on shelves
alphabetically, usually by title. For multiple titles by the same
author, there is usually another designator after the full catalog
number to further assist in the shelving and identification of the
book.
Using that information, the P stands for General Linguistics, the Q
stands for Romance Literature. The subject matter is from DDC major
classification 200, which is religion. It falls within the 260
subdivision, which is Christian social theology. Being that the
Library of Congress has such a huge number of volumes on all subjects,
they have further classified books by even more detail in the subject
code. Therefore, 263 is times, places of religious observance. The 7
allows for even further detail within that subdivision. The A274 is
Antoine Saint-Exupéry.
One thing I did learn is that with cataloging, there is allot of
subjectivity from library professional to library professional. The
standard format is the same, but classifications can vary widely,
especially when getting very granular within a division or
sub-division.
I have to thank you as researching this question was very interesting
and I learned quite a bit more than I ever knew about cataloging, the
Dewey Decimal System and how the Library of Congress catalogs. If you
need any further clarification, please let me know.
Regards,
-THV
Search Strategy:
Library of Congress catalog
Cutter number
References and Sources:
The Library of Congress
http://www.lov.gov
Dewey Decimal System division numbers
http://www.july15.com/julia/ddecimal.htm
Library of Congress division letters
http://www.info.library.yorku.ca/yorkline/lc/lc.html
Understanding Call Numbers
http://www.info.library.yorku.ca/yorkline/lc/howto.html
The Library of Congress Cataloging
http://www.loc.gov/faq/catfaq.html
Drive-thru Dewey
http://alexia.lis.uiuc.edu/~hood/dewey.html |
