Call numbers

Summary: This procedure provides guidance for catalogers on call numbers, including local usage, formatting, and special situations. For guidance on assigning LC class numbers, consult ClassWeb. 

General information

• Call numbers generally consist of these elements: 
  • [class number] + [cutter number] + [year of publication] + [volume or copy number, if needed]

• Call numbers are penciled in all print materials except serials, Special Collections materials (unless otherwise indicated), and Microforms.

• Each part of the call number is written on a separate line. 

• Use a location stamp above the call number for all locations except Main, Browsing, Faculty Book Collection, and Special Collections.
• Catalog Maintenance uses the call number written in the book to type the book label.

Some call number ranges are obsolete. MSUL does not currently use the following classes:

• FC
• JX1977.A2
• LD791.9 (UCLA theses)
• LD1780 (Florida theses)
• PZ 
• Z over 5000

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Call number MARC fields

• The 050 MARC field is for Library of Congress (LC) call numbers that conform to LC schedules.
  • 050s with a 2nd indicator 4 is used for LC call numbers that conform to LC schedules but are assigned by agencies other than LC.
  • 050s with a 2nd indicator 0 is used for LC call numbers that are assigned by LC
• The 090 MARC field is for locally assigned call numbers which conform to LC formatting but have not been checked against LC's shelf-listing to ensure no conflict. In Sierra, 090 call numbers override 050s and will display to the public. 
• The 099 MARC field is used for locally assigned call numbers that do not conform to LC formatting, such as manuscript numbers (MSS 325) or microflim numbers (29111 Microfilm).

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Elements of LC call numbers

Once the class number has been chosen, the latter part of the call number is constructed as outlined below.

Cutters

• The cutter number portion follows the class number, and it is designed to alphabetically file the resource within the assigned class
• In most cases, the cutter is formulated on the "main entry" – i.e., either on the name of the resource's author, or on the title of the resource if no primary author is present
• Formulate cutters using the Library of Congress Cutter-Sanborn table
  • recommended: use the Cataloging Calculator to automatically generate cutter numbers 
  • full table available in Classification and Shelflisting Manual instruction sheet G 63
  • slightly abbreviated table here: https://www.loc.gov/aba/pcc/053/table.html

Dates

• Generally, the date in the call number should be the publication date in the 260 or 264 field
  • EXCEPTION: When a resource is the result of a conference, the call number should use the date of the conference, regardless of the resource's publication date
• Include work letters (lowercase letters) after dates in any of the following cases.

Volume or copy numbers

• Volume and copy designation numbers are included at the very end the call number
  • Except for the designation of "copy 1," which is not used
  • Examples:
    • M557|b.M365 no.2
    • SB413.S88|bS86 2010 c.2
    • SB413.S88|bS86 2010 c.3
    • GE195.7|b.S68 1996 v.1
• Volume designations are given in the vernacular, using approved abbreviations

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Writing the call number on the piece

The cataloger is generally responsible for writing the call numbers on print materials after cataloging. For other formats, like audiovisual materials, include a sticky note or record printout for CatMan. 

• Hardcover books
  • Pencil the number inside the cover in the upper-left corner of the inside cover if possible. Do not write call numbers on maps, illustrations, or dark-colored paper* that would obscure the call number or the important information in the book. 
  • If necessary, write the call number in the upper-left of the first clear left-hand page.
• Soft-cover or paperback books
  • Title page title: pencil the call number on the back of the title page in the center, or as close to the center as possible. Avoid the edges of the page, since these may be trimmed in the binding process. 
  • Cover title: pencil the call number on the verso of the cover, as close as possible to the center.
  • If cover is only source of title, apply "Do not detach" stamp on the verso of the cover, near the top.
• Books in right-to-left script or orientation (Hebrew, Arabic, sometimes Japanese, etc.)
  
  • Call number is penciled in the same location as for books with Western orientation; with spine on your left:
    • pencil inside the top cover for hardback
    • on verso of first page or leaf for soft cover or paperback

* Call number stickers are available to be used when the pencil mark cannot be seen due to dark-colored, shinny, or hard to write on paper.

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Format for manually inputting LC call numbers in FOLIO item records

Call numbers as entered and displayed in FOLIO item records do not contain the $b of MARC fields 050/090. If entering a call number manually in a FOLIO item record, put a single space where $b would be. Compare:

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Format for inputting LC call numbers (050/090 fields)

In OCLC, spaces are used between the delimiter and the call number.

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Format for local call numbers (099 field)

US document numbers 

There is one space between letter (or letter combinations) and numbers, except when there is punctuation between the two. When there is punctuation between letters and numbers, no space is left.

• A 13.82:AE 2/3
• HE 20.8202:C 33/999
• Y 4.AG 8/3:100-65

If there is a number after a colon and before a cutter, there is a space after the number.

• Y 3.N 88:10 E 68
• Y 10.6:3 SE 9

The only part of the serial call number entered in the record is the base number, which ends with the colon. The rest of the call number is the volume/year information which is added to the label or piece ONLY, in the order: years, numbers, letters.

• C 3.1:995
• C 3.1:1/2

Microform numbers

Microfilm numbers are assigned as they are cataloged. A microfilm log is kept to ensure there is no duplication and that numbers are assigned in order. Microfiche sometimes has an LC call number rather than following a numbering schema. See Microfilm numbering log to get a number to assign to your microfilm. Also, record the assigned numbers in the number log.

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