Library of Congress Classification System

Books are arranged in the library according to their subject. Because it would be impossible to describe the subject in words on the spine of each book, libraries use codes for these subjects. These codes are called "call numbers," and the system of call numbers is called a "classification scheme."

Some libraries (especially public libraries) use the Dewey Decimal classification scheme. At HCC Library (as in many academic libraries, WCU, ASU, ABTech, etc.) we use the Library of Congress Classification scheme, or LoC for short. For detailed information about LoC classes and subclasses, see the Library of Congress Classification Outline.

Library of Congress Classification at HCC Library

Signs on shelves throughout the library detail the call numbers and subject descriptions in use at HCC Library. The following document summarizes current usage: Library of Congress Classification at HCC Library

Tutorials

LoC Classification Game Courtesy of Carnegie Mellon University

The Library of Congress Classification System: How to Read Call Numbers in an Academic Library. This site from the On Line Library Learning Center of the University System of Georgia, provides an “anatomy” of an LC Call Number and tips on how to find books on the shelf.

LoC Tutorial from Kent State (Thank you Kent State University)

LoC Tutorial from U of I (Thank you University of Idaho Library)