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.ISU LIBRARY BASICS: LC Call Numbers

What you need to know to get started with your research at the ISU Library.

LC Outline

The Library of Congress [LC] Classification system is a system of letters and numbers assigned to a book based upon its topic. Books in university libraries are shelved according to the LC call number. This results in books on similar topics being shelved near each other on the shelves.

LC is used by Indiana State University Libraries for assigning call numbers to the bulk of its collections. The following chart provides a very simplified breakdown of the LC system and some of the subject areas represented by specific letters and letter combinations.

A General works, almanacs, encyclopedias, indexes, yearbooks

B Philosophy, psychology, religion

  B-BD Philosophy

  BF-BJ Psychology

  BL-BX Religion

C History, archeology, heraldry, genealogy, biography

D History (except the Americas)

E General histories of the Americas and the United States

F State and local histories of the U.S.; individual countries of the Americas

G Geography, anthropology, sports

  G-GN Geography, anthropology

  GR-GT Folklore, manners, customs

  GV Sports, amusements, games

H Social Sciences

  HA Statistics

  HB Economics

  HG Finance

  HM Sociology

J Political Science

  JK United States

  JS Local government

  JX International law

K Law

  KF United States law

  KFA-KFW Law of individual states

L Education

  LA History of education

  LB Theory & practice of education

M Music

  ML Literature of music

  MT Music instruction & study

N Fine arts

  NA Architecture

  NB Sculpture

  NC Graphic arts

  ND Painting

P Language and literature

  PA Classical language & literature

  PB-PH Modern European languages

  PN Literary history & collections, performing arts

  PQ Romance literature

  PR English literature

  PS American literature

Q Science

  QA Mathematics

  QC Physics

  QD Chemistry

  QE Geology

  QL Zoology

R Medicine

  RC Internal medicine

  RD Surgery

  RT Nursing

S Agriculture

T Technology

  TD Environmental engineering

  TJ Mechanical engineering

  TP Chemical engineering

U Military science

V Naval Science

Z Library science. Information resources

How to Read LC Call Numbers

LOC Links and Games

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