Comics Classification

Summary: 

Local classification practice for the Comic Art Collection utilizing an adapted version of Library of Congress Classification. See the Special Collections (comics) procedures page for general instructions on cataloging SPC comics.

Background

Classification of comics at MSU Libraries employs an adapted version of PN6700 through PN6790 of the Library of Congress Classification system. This adaptation was first developed by Randy Scott. His internal documentation for this adaptation explains:

The Comic Art Collection in the Michigan State University Libraries is the largest comics collection ever classified using the Library of Congress call number system, and to do so we have felt it necessary to make some adjustments and innovations. These are spelled out more completely in chapter 4 of Comics Librarianship (Jefferson, NC : McFarland & Company, 1990)

Author vs. Artist numbers

Historical practice at MSU was to provide Cutter numbers for comic artist as a priority over comic author (i.e. illustrator vs. writer).

Beginning in 2024, give preference to the author, per guidance from the best practices of LC and of the ALA Graphic Novels and Comics Round Table.

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Applicable materials and exceptions

Apply this local classification practice to:

1. Comics acquired by the Comics Librarian for the Comic Art Collection in Special Collections.
2. Secondary materials about comics (where there are applicable PN classification numbers for such material) acquired by the Comics Librarian for the Comic Art Collection in Special Collections.
3. Comic zines purchased by the Zine Librarian when the comic nature of the material is its primary characteristic (i.e. it is not primarily a queer zine, punk fanzine, etc.).
4. Unless otherwise specified by the acquiring librarian, comics acquired by other Special Collections curators that could be classed for an artist/author for whom we already have an established author/artist comics call number.
5. Any added volumes of a comic serial or multipart monograph that are already cataloged at a comics call number.

Do not apply this local classification practice to:

1. Comics acquired by any other librarian than the Comics Librarian, unless as otherwise specified above. Apply literature or topical classifications as appropriate.
2. Comics identified by the acquiring librarian as destined for an item location other than SPCMC and SPRCM; catalog these for their intended location. Do not route to Comic Art. Apply literature or topical classifications as appropriate.
3. Comics and related materials acquired for locations outside of Special Collections (e.g. any Children's & YA Lit collection in Main).
   1. Comics outside of Special Collections may still receive PN numbers per regular LC classification practice, but they will not receive the local developments for US comics nor for PN6790 outlined below.

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Comic books, strips, etc.

These ranges parallel PN6700-PN6720 of LC Classification

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By Region or Country

This system divides the numbers for each country as follows:

1. History
2. Collections
3. Individual author numbers, A-Z
4. Individual comics by title, A-Z

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Local development for U.S. comics

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Local development for PN6790

In the case of PN6790 for Other regions or countries, A-Z the divisions according to individual author numbers result in a local practice of triple Cutter numbers (only the first of which receives a decimal). For example:

Yuzuki, Hikaru, 1949-

Minna agechau / Yuzuki Hikaru

PN6790.J33 Y8 M5 1983

• PN6790 = Other regions or countries, A-Z
• .J33 = Japan; individual author number division
  • J3 is the region or country Cutter for Japan; the additional 3 is the division for individual authors
• Y8 = Cutter for author as primary entry: Yuzuki, Hikaru, 1949-
• M5 = Cutter for title: Minna agechau
• 1983 = year of publication

Please note that other divisions for Collections and for Individual comics by title, A-Z under PN6790 can also result in triple Cutters in exceptional circumstances. Review the local shelflisting to confirm best practice in each case.

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