GENERAL CALL NUMBER POLICY

General Guidelines

When assigning a call number, apply the Library of Congress classification schedules and cuttering tables, based on how the item best fits into the collection. When creating an original call number, use the LC cutter tables. When using LC copy, use the LC call number as given unless it is an obvious error or it conflicts with a call number already assigned. When using contributed library copy, use the LC classification number unless it is an obvious error, verify the cutter number with the LC cutter table, and adjust it accordingly. Exceptions to these general guidelines are listed below.

In 1980, after many years of using the Cutter and Cutter/Sanborn cuttering tables exclusively, the UCLA Library Cataloging Centers adopted the use of the Library of Congress cuttering table for the majority of situations. The superimposition of LC's cuttering upon our local practice disrupts the alphabetical arrangement by main entry within a particular classification number; therefore, it was decided to continue the local practice in certain situations in which it was felt that a continuing alphabetical arrangement was essential.

EXCEPTIONS TO LC PRACTICE

These are the ten situations in which we will still use UCLA's original cuttering scheme.

When assigning call numbers to items being added to the UCLA Library collections, follow the Library of Congress classification and/or cuttering practices in all classification areas, EXCEPT those listed below:

1. Belles lettres in the P-PZ classification for authors who have a single classification or cutter number (for others, follow the LC classification tables and use Cutter-Sanborn tables).
2. California cities classed in F 869.
3. Music scores classed in M.
4. Literary bibliographies, which are classed with the author's belles lettres number in P.
5. Individual artists and/or their works of art classed in N. In addition to using locally established cutters for the artist, also consistently apply the local cutter table for the range of numbers in Table 5, xA6-x79 (see Appendix "B").
6. LC classification numbers reserved or modified for local use, such as TR 16 or Z 233 M3 (Special Collections), LD 791.8-791.9 (UCLA dissertations), and N 7433.4, Artists' books. See Cataloging Dept. Reserved or Modified Call Numbers (Appendix ") for a complete listing and explanation.
7. Serials that are continuations of others. These will usually retain the call number of the earlier title providing that the volume designation does not begin again with the number "1".
8. Series, which are classed together or separately as a local decision. For example, if we have decided to class items of a monographic series together and the Library of Congress gives each item a separate call number, we will continue to assign our classification number to each item in the series until the title of the series changes or upon a series change request from a non-cataloging unit, at which time the treatment of the series will be re-examined.
9. Standing requests from individual non-cataloging units who desire local cuttering so that certain areas of their collections (usually literary or "author-like" sequences) remain in alphabetical order. Specific areas that fall under this category are: photographers classed in TR, screenplays classed in PN 1997, and composers classed in ML 410.
10. Specific requests from non-cataloging units. These appear at the top of the workform through a note in the 946 field. Public service units and/or collection development staff notify Cataloging in this way when they wish to keep the new work together with a previously cataloged edition or translation or with a locally assigned biographical, topical or geographic cutter, or when they wish to suggest other exceptional classification treatment.

For materials in the ten exceptional categories listed above, strive for aphabetical order in the shelflist and apply UCLA's local cuttering practices as detailed in CALL NUMBERS III (Local Call Numbers).

ERRONEOUS CLASS NUMBERS

If you suspect that the classification number is erroneous, consult the shelflist, or, if comparison is not possible in the shelflist, consult the master set of classification schedules. However, accept LC call numbers on older records even if the classification schedules have changed (e.g., Buddhism is now BQ instead of BL), or if LC's cuttering practice has changed (e.g., LC formerly used work marks for conference proceedings).

CONFLICTING CALL NUMBERS

A call number does not conflict unless it matches a number already in the shelflist exactly, including the work mark. Adjust the cutter number of the work in hand to resolve the conflict. See the sections describing call number construction practice for both LC classification (CALL NUMBERS II, pages 8-9) and our local cuttering (CALL NUMBERS III, page 2).

RECORDING CALL NUMBER IN SHELFLIST

Record the final call number on the portion of the workform labeled TEMP SL, or, lacking a workform, on a 3 x 5 card annotated with basic bibliographic information. File this temporary shelflist card in the appropriate location for that call number in the shelflist. This will reserve that number.

PHYSICAL PLACEMENT OF CALL NUMBER IN WORK

Print the full call number for each item (including branch stamp if the item is for a branch) on the recto of the page after the title page unless that page is a plate. If it is a plate, print the call number on the verso of the title page. Print the capital letter(s) representing the major classification area on the first line, the Arabic numeral(s) for the more specific subject on the second line, and other call number element(s) on subsequent lines. The call number should be printed approximately 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch from the top of the page, close to the center of the page. If this location cannot be used, place the call number to the side where space is available. Use a label if the paper is brittle or if it is necessary for visibility.

On UCLA theses, place the call number on the page after the approval page. For music scores and parts, follow special rules on proper labeling of the scores and parts. (Refer to Music Cataloging Manual for specific directions.) Record call numbers for microforms and other non-print materials on slips and include them with the materials so that Records Management staff may label the items correctly.

VOLUME DESIGNATION GUIDE

In some cases, UCLA's standard abbreviations for volume label designations do NOT correspond with those of LC (which are from AACR2, Appendix B). For abbreviations to be used in call numbers, use the following list:

add.      addenda                       pt.       part
app.      appendix                      reel      reel
atlas     atlas                         score     score
cop.      copy                          sec.      section
corr.     corrigenda (prefer sup.)      ser.      series
guide     guide                         sess.     session
index     index                         sup.      supplement
key       key                           tables    tables
maps      maps                          text      text
misc.     miscellaneous                 v.        volume
no.       number                        yr.       year
plates    plates

SIZE DESIGNATION GUIDE

Since size of the book may determine its location in the stacks, call numbers have size marks added according to the following guidelines:

GENERAL POLICY

         *  over call number if book is more than 29 through 38
            cm. high or more than 30 cm. in width.
        **  over call number if book is more than 38 through 61
            cm. high.
       ***  over call number if book is more than 61 cm. high.
      Min.  over call number if book is less than 14 cm. high.

For monographic sets, mark volumes with the size designation corresponding to the largest volume. If an oversized volume is received for a cataloged set, retrieve earlier volumes and have them remarked to reflect the larger size.

EXCEPTIONS TO GENERAL POLICY

YRL MINIATURES

Catalog for YRL only if designated in 946 on workform. All others are sent to SRLF without size designations.

CONTINUATIONS

Size designations are not given for any serials, except for the following libraries:

• Art
• Architecture and Urban Planning
• Theater Arts

EDUCATION AND PSYCHOLOGY LIBRARY

No size designations are used.

MAP LIBRARY

** = more than 30 cm. in width.

MUSIC LIBRARY

Regular Stacks:

• No miniature designation is used.
• ML and MT follow the standard size designations.
• Music scores in M1-3 have no size designations.

For all other music scores in M as well as LD, use only double and triple oversize:

                    ** = 35.5-61 cm.
                   *** = more than 61 cm.

Music Cage:

          Miniature designation is used:
               Min. = 0-21 cm. for scores; 0-14 cm. for books

          For music scores in M, use only double and triple
          oversize:
                    ** = 35.5-61 cm.
                   *** = more than 61 cm. 
  

SPECIAL COLLECTIONS

Min. = 0-12.5 cm.

SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY (SRLF)

No size designations are used.

YRL REFERENCE

No size designations are used.

Table of Contents | General Policy | LC Call Numbers | Local Call Numbers | Reserved/Modified Call Numbers | Table V in N Class | UCLA Theses and Dissertations | UCLA Library Home Page

Last updated: 18 October, 1995

Maintained by Cataloging Department, Charles E. Young Research Library, UCLA. 
Louise Ratliff, Editor
lratliff@library.ucla.edu