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Comparison of Dewey and Library of Congress subject classification

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Dewey Decimal and Library of Congress Classification systems organize resources by concept, in part to assign call numbers. Most United States libraries use one of these two classification systems.[1][2] Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) is the most commonly used library cataloging system in the world,[1] while Library of Congress Classification (LCC) is used primarily in Canada and the United States.[3]

The main difference between the two cataloging systems is that DDC is a numeric classification system, while LCC is a alpha-numeric system.[4] The size of a library's collection determines which classification system it uses.[5]

Dewey Decimal Classification works best for smaller collections such as those found in public libraries and school libraries.[5][6] It consists of ten classes representing broad classes, with a limited number of subclasses.[5][6] It uses a numeric cataloging system to divide the each of the classes into ten sections.[3][2] Each item is assigned a three-digit number that represents class, division, and section, followed by a cutter number that identifies the author.[7] For example, the call number 813.54 M37 includes 800 for the main class of literature, 810 for the division of American literature in English, 813 for American fiction in English, and the cutter M37 for the author.[7]

Library of Congress Classification has 21 classes that are hierarchical and highly detailed, working well for books on specialized subjects.[5][6][3][1] LCC works best with larger collections, such as those found in academic libraries.[5][6] Its alpha-numeric call numbers include four parts: class/subclass, topic, cutter number, and publication date.[6][2][3] For example, HV4708 .R83 2011, where HV stands for social sciences, 4708 is the topic social welfare, .R83 is the cutter number which represents the author, and 2001 is the year of publication.[6]

The following table compares how Dewey Decimal and Library of Congress classification systems organize resources.[8][9][10][11][12] It includes all 99 second-level (two-digit) Dewey Decimal classes (excluding 040), and all second-level (two-digit) Library of Congress classes. If a class in one system maps to several classes in the other system, it will be listed multiple times, such as DDC class 551.

More information Dewey Decimal, Library of Congress ...
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See also

Further reading

  • Chan, Lois Mai. A Guide to the Library of Congress Classification, 6th ed. New York: Libraries Unlimited, 2016. ISBN 978-1440844331.
  • Chan, Lois Mai and Salaba, Athena. Cataloging and Classification: An Introduction. Lanham, Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc., 2016. ISBN 9781442232495.
  • Halstead, D. Kent. "Chapter IX: College and University Libraries: Bibliographic Access" in Statewide Planning in Higher Education (DHEW Publication No. 73-17002). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1974. p. 400-408.
  • Lund, Brady; Agbaji, Daniel; Tijani, Solomon; and Omame, Isiaah. "Evaluating Knowledge Organization in Developed and Developing Countries: A Comparative Analysis of Dewey Decimal and Library of Congress Classification Scheme Preference and use in the United States and Nigeria". Technical Services Quarterly, vol. 36, no. 3 (2019): 249–268. doi.org/10.1080/07317131.2019.1621563.
  • Merkley, Carl. "The Library of Congress, Dewey Decimal, and Universal Decimal Classification Systems are Incomplete and Unsystematic". Evidence Based Library and Information Practice, vol. 6, no. 4 (2011): 134–136. doi.org/10.18438/B8QK7S.
  • Satija, M. P. The Theory and Practice of the Dewey Decimal Classification System. Hull: Chandos Publishing, 2013. ISBN 978-1843347385.
  • Scott, Mona L. Dewey Decimal Classification: A Study Manual and Number Building Guide, 22nd edition. New York: Libraries Unlimited, 2005. ISBN 978-1591582106.
  • Sroka, Marek. "Library of Congress Subject Headings, Dewey Decimal Classification and the Ambiguity of Subject Representation of Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe in American Knowledge Organization Systems." Central European and Balkan Studies, vol. 33 (November 21, 2024): 9–16. doi.org/10.4467/2543733XssB.24.001.20025
  • Weihs, Jean and Intner, Sheila S. Beginning Cataloging, 2nd edition. Bloomsbury Publishing, 2016. ISBN 9798216052197.
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References

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