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..DATABASES: LC Call Numbers

One stop shop to learn about the variety of databases available to ISU

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

LC Call Numbers

LOC Links and Games