A Guide to the Library of Congress Classification (Library and Information Science Text Series) - Softcover

Chan, Lois Mai

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1563085003 ISBN 13: 9781563085000

Publisher: Libraries Unlimited, 1999

Synopsis

Completely updating Immroth's Guide to the Library of Congress Classification (Libraries Unlimited, 1990), Chan's work adheres to the purpose of previous editions-to provide readers with a basic understanding of the Library of Congress Classification system and its applications. After introducing the classification and giving a brief history of its development, the author presents readers with the general principles, structure, and format of the scheme. She then discusses and illustrates the use of tables. In an entire chapter that is new to this book, Chan provides a general discourse on assigning LC call numbers. Discussion of applications is continued with emphasis on individual classes and specific types of library materials. Appendixes include tables of general application and models for subarrangement of divisions and topics within disciplines. Throughout the book, examples appear, taken from recent Library of Congress Machine-Readable Cataloging (LC MARC) records. A bibliography lists selecte

About this title

About the Author

LOIS MAI CHAN is professor of library and information science at the University of Kentucky. She served as Chair of the Decimal Classification Editorial Policy Committee, has received ALA's Margaret Mann Citation, and was named a Distinguished Alumna by the Library School at Florida State University, Tallahassee.

Reviews

Like its predecessors, this complete revision of the fourth edition, entitled Immroth's Guide to the Library of Congress Classification (1990), reflects the changes and developments to the Library of Congress (LC) Classification that have occurred since the previous edition. Starting in 1993, LC began converting its classification data to machine-readable form using the USMARC format. The printed schedules are now available in either print or electronic versions. Another example of continued development is in Class K, especially the schedules for Class K-Law. There are three changes to this edition: Appendix A: General Table has been slightly expanded; Appendix B has been incorporated into Chapter 6; and Chapter 5--Assigning Class Numbers--is new. Despite the magnitude of information covered, the chapters continue to be written both clearly and understandably. Examples used throughout the book are from LC MARC records, many of which are 1995 or later. While this guide is intended to be an introduction to the LC Classification, there is enough information here to be of interest to "seasoned" catalogers. Highly recommended.--Susan Ketcham, Long Island Univ.
Southampton Coll. Lib., NY
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Libraries Unlimited
• Publication date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1563085003
• ISBN 13: 9781563085000
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 5
• Number of pages: 551