When experiencing trouble finding a book about a particular subject or topic in the online catalog, try using the Library of Congress Subject Headings books.

Located near the reference desk, the LCSH books provide alternative terms and phrases that assist library patrons in locating books, periodicals, AV software, and vertical file information on their desired subjects. These terms and phrases have been selected by librarians because they represent keywords and search strategies frequently used by the majority of researchers at the Library of Congress and in other libraries. They are included in the online so that a common, controlled vocabulary with correct definitions, spellings, and applications can be referred to by all library patrons when trying to find information. Ideally, the use of the subject headings will increase a patron’s chances of finding relevant titles.

Some helpful facts about the LCSH books include:

• All subject headings found within the books are listed in boldface type.
• "Scope notes" are sometimes found just below a subject heading. These notes are definitions about the respective subject heading.
• Six cross-reference symbols are found at the beginning of each book. They are:
• UF -- (Used For)
• BT -- (Broader Terms)
• NT -- (Narrower Terms)
• RT -- (Related Terms)
• USE -- (Refers to the appropriate subject heading being sought.)
• SA -- (See Also) (Is applied when it is not feasible to show all individual headings. For example, Automobiles, Racing has SA -- names of specific racing automobiles, e.g. Austin-Healey automobile.)
• Terms and phrases that are preceded by a "dash: (--) represent subdivisions of a subject heading. These subdivisions help clarify a book’s relevancy to the main subject heading and narrowly define a search strategy.

Learning to use the subject headings effectively takes patience and repetition. If you need further explanation about the symbols and/or organization of the books, refer to the front of the first volume. A detailed guide is provided.

Using the Library of Congress Classification System

The following information explains how to use the Library of Congress Classification System. To see a chart outlining the actual system, click here.

The Hartfield Library uses the Library of Congress Classification System to organize its books so it's important to have a general understanding of how it works.

First, the System organizes materials in alpha-numeric order.

The call number on the spine of a book contains at least three lines. Each line should read distinctly and separately. A typical call number might read as follows:

Line 1. The first line is always a single letter or a combination of letters. When shelved, single letters are arranged first. Double letters follow single letters. The letters below are in correct order from left to right.

Line 2. The second line consists of numbers. Books are shelved in numerical order from the lowest number to the highest number. The call numbers below are in correct order from top to bottom.

Some numbers in the second line have a decimal point. Examples are:

Books are shelved by the whole numbers first, then by the numbers following the decimal point.

Line 3. Line three usually begins with a decimal point followed by a letter. Books are shelved alphabetically by the letter. A number always follows the letter. When line three begins with a decimal point, the numbers are decimals -- not whole numbers. Therefore, numbers in line three are filed digit by digit rather than by the whole number. For example, .G39 is shelved before .G4 because .G4 really means .G40. Since .G39 precedes .G40, .G39 would be shelved first. The number .B765 is filed before .B77 because .B77 is .B770. If you become confused, simply add a "mental" zero to a single digit when comparing it to a double digit.

The call numbers below are in correct order from top to bottom.

Line 4. Many call numbers are only three lines long. If a fourth line is added, it will either be a four digit number which reflects the date of publication (i.e., 1980, 1986) or a single letter followed by several numbers (i.e., W15 or H75).

When the fourth line has a letter followed by numbers, it is a continuation of the third line that began with a decimal point. Although the fourth line will not begin with a decimal point, the numbers are decimals -- not whole numbers. These numbers are filed like those in line three, digit by digit. The call numbers below are in correct order from top to bottom.

Line 5 through the end. A call number may consist of more lines containing dates and/or letter combinations. Follow the instructions given for lines 1 through 4.