4. Locate
e. Classification Systems
Within a library collection, materials are typically organized by subject. Librarians assign a call number based on a work's subject and sources are then shelved by that call number so that anyone browsing the shelves will find most of the titles on a subject together.
There are 2 main subject classification systems that translate a work's subject and author or title into a code (call number) that determines where it will be shelved.
The examples below illustrate how the two main subject classification systems, Library of Congress and Dewey Decimal, are used to assign call numbers for the book, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, published in 1988, c1953.
Library of Congress: Used in most college, university, and research libraries because it handles large collections
PS 3511.I81 G7 1988
Dewey Decimal: Used in most public and school libraries because it is more effective for smaller collections.
813.52 FIT
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Anoka Ramsey Community College Library
Information Literacy Tutorial
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