Fondren's Classification Practices

1.  GENERAL RULE

Fondren Library follows the LC classification tables and LC practices, with the following determinations of options and exceptions for certain types of works.  Most government documents retain the Superintendent of Documents classification number. For local practice in call numbers for non-book materials see:  Call Numbers for Sound Recordings, Rice Theses, and Cataloging Visual Materials.

2.  LITERATURE

2.1  Fiction

Fondren Library classifies works of fiction by individual authors with literature, not in PZ.  For some works of fiction, LC provides the class and author numbers only; the cataloger must provide the appropriate second cutter number for the work in hand. These works can be identified by the lack of a subfield b (in OCLC) for the call number.  Use the appropriate table for the author concerned, and check the call number index to fit the title correctly into the alphabetical sequence.

Should LC establish a number for an author for whom Fondren Library has already established a different number, the cataloger will change our number to conform with LC's decision (see Cutter Tables for guidelines in constructing cutter numbers). The cataloger will complete a boxwork form for each work cataloged under the superseded number.

Notes: Here is another library's practice about the application of PZ call numbers – https://staff.lib.ncsu.edu/confluence/display/MNC/PZ+Classification

2.2  Changed form of entry/call number anomaly

With changes in form of entry occasioned by adoption of AACR2 or RDA and changes in LC practice, many already established classification numbers will not seem to properly reflect the author’s name. This is true for all schedules, but it is most glaring in the literature schedule. We will not reclassify or recutter but will leave the classification as it stands (unless LC reclassifies or recutters).

2.3  Authors in more than one language or under more than one name

Fondren Library now follows LC  practice and no longer classifies all literary works of an author in one call number.

Multiple Languages. A work is classified with the literature of the original language of the work.   For example, Vladimir Nabokov’s works in Russian will be classified in Russian literature, his works in English with American literature.

Multiple Names. A work is classified under the established heading for the name used for that work.  Works of an author who writes under more than one name will no longer be collocated under the author’s real name.

We will make no systematic attempt to reclassify works cataloged under former policies.

2.4  Two works by one author issued in one volume

LC is not consistent in its treatment of two works by one author issued together in one volume under a collective title such as "Two tales", "Plays", etc. Fondren Library will put such volumes in the call number for separate works and will cutter for the first of the two works in the volume. A title added entry will be made for each of the two works in the volume.

If more than two works by the same author are issued together, we will use a call number for selections or collections.

2.5  Preferred table for literary authors

Table XL (40) in the Class P Language and Literature Tables is the preferred table to be used for Literary authors, unless LC has already established a precedent.

2.6  Collections of short stories

In many cases provision is made in the PR and PS schedules for collections of short stories by a single author (e.g., PS 2612 for Poe's collected prose fiction). When such provision is not made, especially when Tables XXXIX (39) or XL (40) are used, classify as follows:

• If title is distinctive, classify collection as a separate work with cutter for title.
• If title is not distinctive, use cutter .A15 --not valid ; discontinued by the LC in 2005, all collected works and genres subarranged by date. See P-PZ39 and P-PZ40.

Classify collections of short stories by several English authors in the appropriate number in the PR schedule under "English literature--Collections" (e.g. PR 1304 for prose collections of the Victorian era, PR 1307 for prose collections of the 20th century, etc.)

Classify collections of short stories by several American writers not of one region in PS 651-659 according to period.

Classify collections of short stories by several American writers of the same region in PS 537-574.

Classify collections of short stories by writers from several countries in PN 6014 followed by cutter number for heading.

Classify collections of short stories by several writers with a single theme in PN 6071, followed by cutter for theme or subject and second cutter for heading.

Classify collections of short stories by writers of any country other than England or the U.S. according to the LC schedule for story collections in the literature of the country.

3.  OTHER MATERIALS

3.1  Bibliographies

If LC copy has Z classification and there is no alternate subject call number stem, accept the LC call number.

If LC copy has Z classification and there is an alternate subject call number stem, complete the alternate call number, classing with the subject.

When cataloging from member copy or when making original record, classify with the subject.

3.2  Law books

As LC classification schedules for law are established, Fondren Library reclassifies law books presently cataloged according to the University of Chicago (UC) classification into the appropriate LC classification numbers.

We will attempt to classify new law books for which no LC classification exists as yet according to subject category (i.e., in a class other than K).  If this is not possible such materials will be classified using numbers and tables from the UC classification schedule but substituting the appropriate letter prefix from the LC law classification outline. (All LC classification schedules for law are now established and should be used – 10/16/14))

4.  PARTICULAR CLASSIFICATION POLICIES

Cuttering. Fondren Library uses the Author Number Table for cuttering. We use two digits instead of one in the author cutter. The cutters for translations that Fondren Library uses are based on a Translation Table derived from LC practice.

Translations. If the cataloger has a translation in hand, but does not have the original title of the work, reasonable search only should be made for the original title. If the original title is not then found, cutter from the translation title as if it were the original title, without adding translation cutter.

Biographies. Fondren Library follows the expanded Biography Table issued by LC for use in classifying biographical materials in schedules lacking biography tables.

Dates. Tables in LC schedules requiring date letters in call numbers will not be used, unless a precedent has already been established. We will simply use the date in the call number.

LC Class for Rice University. Fondren Library classifies Rice University at LD4711.R27-.R365 (reflecting the name Rice University, rather than at LD6053, which LC has established reflecting the name William Marsh Rice University). Table III is used to subdivide. For LC copy the LD6053 call number is accepted. For member copy and original cataloging use LD4711.

5.  DATES IN CALL NUMBERS

LC COPY. For books with Library of Congress copy, we will accept LC’s call number as is, whether with or without date.  We accept LC’s call numbers to minimize conflicts with its shelflist.

MEMBER COPY AND ORIGINAL CATALOGING. For books with member copy and for books requiring original cataloging, we will follow LC’s current practice as described in: Subject Cataloging Manual: Shelflisting, section G140 (p.5), with the following exception: When there are missing or questionable dates (e.g., 197-?), fill in missing digits with zeroes, but do not add the letter z to the end of the call number.