Identification of Call Number
Call numbers are assigned to help users to locate the materials using OPAC (Online Public Access Catalog) in their local libraries. Staffs that are in Cataloging Unit are in charge of identifying call numbers during the cataloging process. After identifying the subject heading for the materials, the call number can be produced. The call number is composed of two parts: the Dewey Decimal Classification and the Cutter Number.
Librarian or designated officer using Perluasan Kawasan Bagi Malaysia and Fail kuasa Tajuk Perkara Kumpulan Etnik Sabah dan Sarawak to identify local Subject Headings and Authority Files. After the call number and access point are established, the designated officers or library assistants will input them in the bibliographic record and create MARC Authority record for each authorized access point. Refer to ANGKA.Sa2 Library Management System: Bibliographic Management Manual.
Contents
Types of Classification Number
| Aspects | Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) | Library of Congress Classification (LCC) |
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In Pustaka Negeri Sarawak, the catalogers used DDC for their cataloging processes.
Identifying the Subject Matters
DDC has a broad range of classification classes. This helps the person in charge to identify the call number using the subject headings from LCSH (Library of Congress Subject Heading) as well from general understanding of the content of the materials.
The 10 Main Classes
000 Computer science, information & general works
100 Philosophy & psychology
200 Religion
300 Social sciences
400 Language
500 Science
600 Technology
700 Arts & recreation
800 Literature
900 History & geography
Each of the above classes has ten divisions which are further divided for specificity. For further information, please refer to DDC Summaries[1].
Alternate Method
There is another way to find the call number without browsing through the DDC Summaries in its entirety. Ever since the adoption of DDC in libraries worldwide, libraries can look into the OPAC of other libraries for the same material such as Worldcat[2], Library of Congress[3], British Library[4], Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia[5], OCLC Classify[6] and many more.
Adding the Cutter Numbers
Once the call number has been decided, the cataloger can proceed to the next step which is adding the cutter number. A Cutter number consists of the first three letters of the author's last name or the title (if there's no authors involved).
| Example | Case | Identification | Cutter Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easy Yoga, written by Sarah Winstead | Surname at the front | Winstead, Sarah | WIN |
| Jasamu dikenang oleh Abdul Malik | Normal unchanged name | Abdul Malik | ABD |
| Mindful Eating, edited by Matthew Colt | Normal title without author | Mindful Eating | MIN |
| The Encyclopedia of Plants | The article "A", "An", & "The" is ignored from the title | The Encyclopedia of Plants | ENC |
Assigning the Call Numbers
Once the classification number and the Cutter number has been identified, catalogers can proceed to create the call number for the materials.
References
- ↑ DDC Summaries, retrieved from http://oclc.org/dewey.resources.html
- ↑ WorldCat, retrieved from https://www.worldcat.org
- ↑ Library of Congress Catalog, retrieved https://catalog.loc.gov
- ↑ British Library Catalog, retrieved from https://explore.bl.uk
- ↑ OPAC PNM, retrieved from http://opac.pnm.gov.my
- ↑ OCLC Classify, retrieved from http://classify.oclc.org/classify2/
