2. The classes are then subdivided into more specific categories, called subclasses, which are indicated by two or three letter combinations. In our example, the combination “CC” indicates that the book fits into the “archaeology” subclass.

3. Within subclasses, even more specific topics are arranged from the general to the specific. These topics are then assigned a numeral or range of numerals. The “79.5” in our example fits into the range “CC 73-81”, which indicates that the book is about methodology in archaeology.

4. The call number is then further delineated by adding decimals, letters, and additional numbers – eventually leading the researcher to the exact book for which he is searching.

Class: D - History

Class: M - Music

Class: N - Fine Arts

Class: T - Technology

Initially, the sculptor would likely consult works with a fine arts emphasis, such as those under subclass NB 1330-1685, which is classified as sculptural monuments. A quick search brings up many great resources, including a book titled Sculptural Monuments in an Outdoor Environment: a conference held at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, November 2, 1983 (call number NB1230.S38 1985).

However, given his interest in the effects of weather and wear on the sculpture, he would also benefit from searching under subclass TA (Engineering – General and Civil Engineering) as well as subclass TN (Mining Engineering – Metallurgy). Subclass TA, for example, brings up the book titled Corrosion handbook : corrosive agents and their interaction with materials, edited by Gerhard Kreys (call number TA418.74.D43 2004). A search in subclass TN results in another useful result: Chemistry and Technology of Lime and Limestone, by Robert S. Boynton (call number TN967.B73 1980). These books are two of many resources that would provide a scientific look at how the environment might affect the sculpture he creates.


Scenario C
This user is an art student who is interested in using computers to create art. The user is especially interested in software, random generation, and digital art.

I would recommend this user start by looking at both the mathematics and computer science section of the LOC classification system, which is QA (QA is mathematics; QA75-QA76 is computer science) section of the system. Another section they might want to consider is N7400, which covers digital art. N7400 is not the only place information on digital art can be found, often what the art sets it to accomplish defines where it will be classified more than the medium.

One book that sounds particularly useful is Processing :a programming handbook for visual designers and artists by: Casey Reas and Ben Fry.And is located in the computer science section QA76.6.R4138 2007. Another book I might recommend as a good starting point is Digital Art by Christiane Paul which can be located in the art section at N72.T4P38 2003

I would remind the patron that digital art is still an emerging field and currently has no standart classification systems. I would recommend starting with eh resources I found, or with ones they find and looking through the bibliographies for books that seem useful, and compiling a list of classification numbers works they find useful appear under. This way they will be able to locate the myriad places digital art currently appears under.


Scenario D
My research scenario involves a music student studying the materials of instruments. She is interested in wood clarinets are and the benefits of certain woods over others.

Since music itself is based in science, it’s already “interdisciplinary.” Most resources having to do with pitch, vibration and physics of music already reside within the M class, and specifically in the subclass ML. Some example books our user might look at in ML include:

• ML 946: Clarinet acoustics (1994), by O. Lee Gibson
• ML460: Musical Instrument Design: Practical Information for Instrument Making (1996) by Bart Hopkin
• ML946: The art of clarinetistry: the acoustical mechanics of the clarinet as a basis for the art of music performance (1965) by William H Stubbins

This user’s research, however, is moving beyond the shape and construction of the clarinet, to the wood itself. She wants to understand what it is about certain types of woods that make better clarinets. It’s important to know that certain types of wood respond differently to environmental factors, like temperature and humidity. Additionally, wood properties vary as to their acoustic capabilities. Thus this researcher would want to study materials science. Some examples of books on wood might include:

• TA420: Acoustics of wood (2006) by Voichita Bucur, which has a chapter “Wood species for musical instruments”
• TA419: Timber: structure, properties, conversion, and use (1996) by H E Desch and J M Dinwoodie
• TA419: Wood-water relations (1988) by Christen Skaar

In addition, the user might also want to examine the timber industry in whichever country and time period she may later focus on. This route may then take our user into studies of economics of lumber.


Scenario E
My scenario involves a grad student conducting research on the history and use of machinery and technology in the decorative with a primary focus on the United States. She has begun her research by looking at resources pertaining to the general LOC classes for Technology (T) and the Fine Arts (N). But for more topic specific materials, the user would benefit from looking into resources found under the subclasses NK, TT, TS and even QA. Some of the more relevant resources I found are listed below under their respective subclasses. These resources can be used directly as well as indirectly by using the bibliographies and cited references from each listed source as further points of access to additional useful and primary resources.

Subclass: NK (Decorative Arts)

• Craft in the Machine Age. New York: H.N., 1995.

Subclass: TT (Handicrafts. Arts and Crafts)

• Wehrle, Louise. Fingers of Steel: Technological innovation in the United States Knitting Industry, 1850-1914. New York: Garland Pub., 1995.
• Tompkins, Ernest. The Science of Knitting: An Illustrated Reference Book of the Elementary principles of knit fabrics and machine knitting, including fundamental conventions, definitions, rules, formulas and tables, for the student, operator, manufacturer and analyst. New York: J. Wiley & Sons, 1914.

Subclass: TS (Manufactures)

• Channing, Marion L. The Textile Tools of Colonial Homes: From Raw Materials to Finished Garments, Before Mass Production in the Factories. Marion, Mass., 1971.
• English, Walter. The Textile Industry: An account of the Early Inventions of Spinning, Weaving, and Knitting Machines. Harlow, 1969.

Subclass: QA (Mathematics)

• Westfall, Richard S. The Construction of Modern Science: Mechanisms and Mechanics. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1977.