Comparing LC with Dewey
The J.D. Williams Library uses the Library of Congress (LC)
classification. Like the Dewey Decimal classification system, LC is
used both as an unique identifier for each book in the library and as a
way to group books with similar subjects together on the shelves. Note
the similarities and differences in the two classification systems in
the table below, using the book "A Quick Reference to Dining Etiquette"
by Shelia M. Long as an example.
Library of Congress
|
What is it?
|
How it was 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 |
Dewey Decimal
|
What is it?
|
How
it was 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 |
Why use LC or Dewey?
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 to
books, 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 more call numbers needed for the
greater number of books owned by larger academic libraries.
Dewey
Decimal
Classification
|
|
Library
of
Congress Classification
|
000
|
Generalities
|
A
|
General Works
|
100
|
Philosophy,
Paranormal Phenomena, Psychology |
B
|
Philosophy.
Psychology. Religion |
200
|
Religion |
C
|
Auxiliary
Sciences
Of History |
300
|
Social
sciences |
D
|
History
(General)
And History Of Europe |
400
|
Language |
E
|
History:
America (National) |
500
|
Natural
sciences and
mathematics |
F
|
History:
America (Local) |
600
|
Technology
and
Applied Sciences |
G
|
Geography.
Anthropology. Recreation |
700
|
The Arts Fine
and
Decorative Arts |
H
|
Social
Sciences |
800
|
Literature
(Belles-Lettres) and Rhetoric |
J
|
Political
Science |
900
|
Geography,
History,
and Auxiliary Disciplines |
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 |
For a list of LC subjects commonly used
by
this library, go here.
|
Z
|
Bibliography. Library
Science.
Information Resources (General) |
LC Call Numbers Outline | How to Read LC Call Numbers | Understanding LC Call Numbers | How LC Call Numbers are Arranged on the Shelves | Physical Locations in the Library
Content last updated June, 2004 TH
|
