CALL NUMBER ASSIGNMENT

POLICY

The Bibliographic Services Dept. is responsible for the assignment of Library of Congress classification and for assignment of Dewey Decimal classification in the Juvenile Collection. Other types of classification used the the Library (SUDOC, Curriculum, other special systems) are provided by staff from other library units Discussion Draft - March 15, 1984, Revised Nov. 30, 1989

Local Call Number: 090

The local call number field contains two basic elements:

1. Classification number

2. Book number (Cutter) and date and/or volume information.

The local call number is usually taken directly from the Library of Congress call number, field 050 (assigned by the Library of Congress), or field 090 (assigned by another cataloging agency). Generally the assigned LC call number will be used as the local call number without modification. However, at times, local needs require that changes or modification to the assigned number be made. Whenever modification is performed, or whenever it is necessary to provide a completely different call number, this will be done by individuals in the Bib. Services dept. specifically authorized to deal with the call number, or under the supervision of such individuals.

Note that whenever an existing 050 field is modified, even slightly, it is necessary to record the modified local call number in field 090. Field 050 is reserved for the Library of Congress only and cannot be modified or edited.

It will be necessary to change or modify the call number found in an OCLC record in the following situations:

1. Call number conflict:

Although it is not now feasible to check for call number conflict while processing directly on-line, it is desirable [but is it feasible] to check for this condition if you are working with printed copy or original cataloging workforms offline. Eventually, all records will be shelflisted directly on-line (CLSI).

A conflict condition exists if the same classification number and the same book number (excluding date and/or volume information) are assigned to different works. When a conflict occurs, the call number for the new work should be adjusted by altering the appropriate call number element unless the older call number is obviously a typo or other mistake.

Since each area of the classification is somewhat individualistic, it is necessary to understand the construction principles for the particular subject classification; it may not be sufficient to alter the last Cutter number, for example.

2. New Editions.

It is desirable that new editions replacing or supplementing older works in the library's collections be assigned call numbers very similar to those used in the earlier works. Basically, the call number assigned to a new edition should differ only by the date element.

If the call number of an earlier or variant edition is noted on the order slip accompanying the new item, use that call number as the basis for the call number of the new work. If the earlier call number contains a date, the date should be changed for the new item. If the old call number does not have a date, a date should be added for the new item. Use the publication date (260 #c), or, in the case of a meeting, the date of the event (111 #d).

If there is no information on the order slip about earlier or variant editions in the collection, it will be necessary to search CLSI to determine whether the library has other edition(s). If there is an earlier edition, record the call number and use it as the basis for the new edition's call number. If several earlier editions are found, each having different basic call numbers, use as the base call number the call number assigned to the next most recent edition.

3. Analytic call numbers.

This type of call number resembles the call number assigned to individual volumes in a multivolume set or serial; the last element represents a designation for the physical part (vol., no., Bd., etc.) and a number. In monographic records this type of call number is commonly assigned to items in monographic series or set which could conveniently be classified within the same subject area and which are also consecutively numbered.

Often, an alternative number, reflecting a more specific subject classification is also provided by the cataloging agency.

DO NOT USE THE ANALYTIC CALL NUMBER UNLESS:

1. There are processing instructions accompanying the new item concerning its use. See guidelines for monographic series and sets.

2. it is clear that we have or expect to receive a complete run of the series or set title. Even in this case, the decision to "class together" must be made by an authorized individual. See guidelines for monographic series and sets.

In general, if an alternative call number is assigned, it should be completed, reformatted and used for the new item.

4. "Law" as a call number.

If the word "Law" appears in field 050, a local call number created from the K schedule outline or from a section of the completed K schedule should be substituted in the field 090.

5. Literary call numbers (cont...)

Classification assigned to the works of a literary author should be in a specific range within the classification schedule, the author's literary number(s). If the classification assigned by an external cataloging agency is outside of the range of literary numbers used at CSUC for the particular author, do not use the number provided by the cataloging agency. Create a call number using the CSUC literary number as the base. To determine what the range of literary number(s) is for an author, search the CLSI database by the author's name and note the numbers used. Then, consult the classification schedules for instructions about creating call numbers for specific types of works by and about this author.

6. Materials with special, local processing requirements.

These items will be accompanied by specific processing instructions, or they will be in a class of materials all of which require special handling.

1. Analyzed sets and monographic series using analytic classification. Instructions will accompany item. Consult guidelines for monographic series and sets.

2. Bibliographies. Bibliographies should not be classified in Z, which is the location most commonly assigned by external cataloging agencies. The local call number for bibliographies should be within the subject matter treated by the work.

3. Materials published by California State University, Chico, or works about CSUC. These works should be classified using a local modification of the LC schedules: the base number LD729.6.C5 should be expanded to reflect the issuing body or the subject matter of the work. A detailed explanation of this expansion has been inserted into the copies of the L schedules.

4. Computer Science materials. Local.