Compiled by Georgia Baugh, Electronic Resources Reference Librarian
Text by Jeannette Pierce, M.S.L.I.S., M.A.
Last updated June 22, 2004

Pius XII Memorial Library uses the Library of Congress (LC) classification system to organize the books, journals, and media materials acquired by the library.  The purpose of the classification system is to shelve items on the same topic together, thus allowing researchers to browse areas of the collection relevant to their topics.  This system is used by the Library of Congress and many academic and research libraries in the United States.

The LC system categorizes materials into 21 broad subject categories indicated by a letter of the alphabet and then further divides each subject category into more specific subject areas by adding additional letter(s) and number(s). Each item acquired by the library is given a unique Call Number based on the LC classification system.

The chart below lists the general subject areas and major subdivisions of the Library of Congress Classification System. To see a more detailed breakdown of subject classes, view the Library of Congress Classification Outline [http://lcweb.loc.gov/catdir/cpso/lcco/lcco.html] posted by the Cataloging Policy and Support Office of the Library of Congress.

To determine the location of specific call numbers at Pius XII Memorial Library use the Guide for Locating Materials in Pius XII Memorial Library.

Two-page, printable version of Browsing Aid to Library of Congress Classification

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