The University of Mississippi Libraries use the Library of Congress (LC) classification for most of their collections. Like the Dewey Decimal classification system, LC is used both as an unique identifier for materials in the library and as a way to group items with similar subjects together on the shelves. Note the similarities and differences in the two classification systems in the tables below, using the book "A Quick Reference to Dining Etiquette" by Shelia M. Long as an example.
| Number | What is it? | How was it made? |
|---|---|---|
| BJ | General Subject | B -Philosophy, Psychology, Religion BJ - Ethics |
| 2041 | Specific Topic | 1801-2195 - Social Usage. Etiquette 2021-2078 - Etiquette of Entertaining 2041 - Table Etiquette |
| .L66 | Author | Based on the author's last name |
| 1993 | Year | Usually the year the book was published |
| Number | What is it? | How was it made? |
|---|---|---|
| 395 | General Subject | 300 - Social Sciences 390 - Customs, Etiquette, Folklore 395 - Etiquette (Manners) |
| .54 | Specific Topic | .5 - In Specific Situations .54 - Table Manners |
| LON | Author | Based on the author's last name |
| 1993 | Year | Usually the year the book was published |
Whether LC or Dewey is used in a library is based on the size of the collection. Dewey is divided into 10 classes, or broad subjects. This limits the number and variety of call numbers that can be assigned, making it better suited for libraries with smaller collections such as school libraries or public libraries. LC, on the other hand, has 21 classes, which allows for the greater amount of call numbers needed by large academic library collections.
000 - Computer science, information and general works
100 - Philosophy and psychology
200 - Religion
300 - Social sciences
400 - Language
500 - Science
600 - Technology
700 - Arts and recreation
800 - Literature
900 - History and geography
A - General works
B - Philosophy, psychology, religion
C - Auxiliary sciences of history
D - World history and history of Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, etc.
E - History of the Americas
F - Local history of the Americas
G - Geography, anthropology, recreation
H - Social sciences
J - Political science
K - Law
L - Education
M - Music and books on music
N - Fine arts
P - Language and literature
Q - Science
R - Medicine
S - Agriculture
T - Technology
U - Military science
V - Naval science
Z - Bibliography, library science, information resources (general)
For a more detailed outline, please visit http://lcweb.loc.gov/catdir/cpso/lcco/lcco.htm
