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Call Numbers and Subject Headings

Learning about call numbers and subject headings will help you understand how the library collections are organized.

Call Numbers

The Pitts Theology Library uses the Library of Congress (LC) call number system, called the Library of Congress Classification System. EUCLID will give you that call number (see example below).

On a book, the call number will be broken into two or more lines, usually on the spine label.

BS491.2
.W66
1992

Interpretation of Call Numbers:

Line 1: Call numbers begin with 1, 2, or 3 letters. The first letter represents the major division (B = Philosophy, Psychology, Religion) and the second letter is a subdivision of the topic (BS = Bible). The numbers help to define the book's topic (BS410-680 are general works about the Bible; BS482-498 are general works in the form of commentaries; BS491.2 specifically is Bible -- General -- Works about the Bible -- Commentaries -- By language -- English -- 1951-2000). These numbers can be very specific! The number should be read as a whole number: 1, 2, 3, 15, 17, 125, etc.

Line 2: The second line is called the cutter number (created by Chales Ammi Cutter). The cutter number is a means to represent the author, organization or title of the work (also known as the "Main Entry"). If there are two cutter numbers, the first cutter number is a second level of detail about the book's topic and the second cutter is the main entry. In the above example, since the title is written by multiple authors with an editor, the title is the main entry and the line begins with W. The numbers should be read like a decimal: .1, .2, .6, .66, .7, .723, .75, .761, etc.

Line 3: If there is a third line (or more), it is typically a second cutter, a publication year, or volume information. These should be ordered alphabetically (a number by itself comes before a letter).

Browsing the Bookstacks

The Library of Congress Classification system arranges materials by subject, so like materials will be near each other on the shelf. This means that once you identify the areas related to your topic, you can browse the shelves to find other materials you might not have seen in a EUCLID search. Browsing can turn up wonderful treasures!

Browsing EUCLID

You can also browse the stacks virtually in EUCLID. At the very first screen for EUCLID, you'll see 4 buttons in the upper right corner.

Select "BROWSE SHELVES" then enter the call number of your subject and select the library you'd like to search (pick THEOLOGY for Pitts Library). The results will be in call number order, but will include items from the Bookstacks, Reference and other locations (including books that are checked out). Be sure to check the location before going to the shelves.

LC Classification Outline

To help you understand the Classification system better, we have provided the following outline. Each link will open a pdf document from the Library of Congress with more detail about the schedule (Adobe Acrobat Reader is required).

A -- GENERAL WORKS
B -- PHILOSOPHY. PSYCHOLOGY. RELIGION
C -- AUXILIARY SCIENCES OF HISTORY
D -- HISTORY (GENERAL) AND HISTORY OF EUROPE
E -- HISTORY: AMERICA
F -- HISTORY: AMERICA
G -- GEOGRAPHY. ANTHROPOLOGY. RECREATION
H -- SOCIAL SCIENCES
J -- POLITICAL SCIENCE
K -- LAW
L -- EDUCATION
M -- MUSIC AND BOOKS ON MUSIC
N -- FINE ARTS
P -- LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE
Q -- SCIENCE
R -- MEDICINE
S -- AGRICULTURE
T -- TECHNOLOGY
U -- MILITARY SCIENCE
V -- NAVAL SCIENCE
Z -- BIBLIOGRAPHY. LIBRARY SCIENCE. INFORMATION RESOURCES (GENERAL)

Subject Headings

Subject headings are a way to describe the content of books (or journals or videos or other materials) using controlled vocabulary, making it easier to find books on a similar topic. Library of Congress Subject Headings are those headings that have been established by the Library of Congress as the official terms for describing certain topics. Each assigned heading may have broader or narrower terms and may also have cross references to similar headings.

For example, look at the subject heading "Angels":

Angels
UF	Angelology
	Cherubim
	Divine messengers
	Seraphim
BT	Spirits
NT	Archangels
	Ark of the Covenant
	Divine messengers in literature
	Fravashis
	Guardian angels
	Vikalen (Angel)

UF = Used For (these terms will not have their own subject heading; you should use Angels instead)
BT = Broader Term (the term Spirits incorporates Angels and other supernatural beings)
NT = Narrower Term (these terms are more specific than Angel; if the material is about Guardian Angels specifically, then that heading should be used instead)

To properly describe an item, multiple headings may be used. Keep in mind that subject headings will be assigned to be as specific as possible. A book about archangels will not have the subject heading Angels (and vice versa). So if you don't find materials on one heading, search again with broader or narrower subjects in mind.

Subject headings may also have multiple parts to them, called subdivisions. These subdivisions may indicate geographical areas, time periods, format, or aspects of a subject. The subdivisions are used to make a subject heading more precise. If you find a subject heading with subdivisions, you may want to search with the entire heading (with or without the dashes), or you may wish to use just the base or part of the heading.

Examples:
African American women -- Religious Life
Spirituals -- History and criticism
United States -- Religion -- 20th century
Religion and culture -- United States -- History -- 20th century
Theologians -- Germany -- Biography
Sin -- History of doctrines
Pastoral theology -- Catholic Church -- Periodicals
Church history -- Primitive and early church, ca. 30-600 -- Bibliography

Identifying Subject Headings:

Once you identify appropriate subject headings, you can perform Subject searches in EUCLID. This can be an effective method for locating relevant materials. We recommend two methods for identifying subject headings:

1. Search Everything: Start by searching EUCLID by keyword, using the "Search Everything" button. Use whatever terms you think best describe your topic. When you find a record that matches what you are looking for, view the record and see what subject headings were used. Then search again using that term as a subject search.
2. Browse by Subject: Enter a term that you suspect will be a subject heading. Switch the search option from keyword to browse (above the box holding your search terms), then press the "Subject" button.
   

If you have difficulty finding appropriate headings, or have additional questions, please ask a reference librarian for help.