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Classification Manual (Revised July 1993)
Overview [ Classification Manual Home | Table of Contents ] The United States Government issues a large number of publications each year. These information products may be issued as pamphlets, books, serials, maps, microfiche, floppy disks, compact discs, etc. Under Title 44, United States Code, all of these publications, with certain specified exceptions, are included in the Federal Depository Library Program, which is managed by the Library Programs Service under the Superintendent of Documents. All U.S. documents received in the Library Programs service are given a Superintendent of Documents classification number and cataloged whether or not they are distributed to depository libraries. The principles of the Superintendent of Documents classification system apply to all U.S. Government Publications, regardless of format. Basis The basis of the Superintendent of Documents Classification System is the grouping together of publications of any Government author, the various departments, bureaus, and agencies being considered the authors. In the grouping, the organizational structure of the United States Government is followed: subordinate bureaus and divisions are grouped with the parent organization. Because class numbers reflect the organization of the Government, they are changed as necessary to keep abreast of changes in Government organization. Structure A Superintendent of Documents classification number begins with a capital letter or letters representing a Government department or agency. For example: TD Transportation Department The letters are followed by a number representing the agency as a whole, or a subordinate office. This figure is followed by a period. For example: TD 4. Federal Aviation Administration After the period, there is a number designating the series or serial title, or category of the publications, followed by a colon. For example: TD 4.10/4: FAA airworthiness directive biweekly listing The letters and numbers up to the colon constitute the class stem. The numbers after the colon represent individual publications in the series. For example: TD 4.10/4:91-19 FAA airworthiness directive biweekly listing, issue 91-19 The class alone shows that the publication in the example is issued by the Transportation Department, Federal Aviation Administration, and that it has the number 91-19 printed on it. If the user also knows individual series class numbers, he or she will know at a glance exactly what publication this number represents. Each publication must have its own unique number. Each separate piece, such as a folder, binder, etc., should have its own separate class number written on it, so that it may be identified when separated from the basic publication. The class is added to each piece solely for identification of stray pieces, and not for cataloging purposes. Spacing The format of the Superintendent of Documents classification number is critical for the proper construction of the number itself and for accurate sorting and searching of class numbers in automated systems. One important aspect of the construction of the class number is the use of spacing. A space must be inserted between letters and numbers in the class number unless there is intervening punctuation. Parentheses are the only exception. One space must be inserted before and after a parenthesis, unless there is adjacent punctuation. No spaces precede or follow symbols, such as the ampersand (&). Correct formatting: A 1.10:B 68 C 16.21/a:17 D 5.317:616 (717-5) A AE 2.106/3:26/pt.1 (sec.1.641-1.850)/990 D 101.11:9-2330-363-14&P Incorrect formatting: A 1.10:B68 C 16.21/ a:17 D5.317:616(717-5)A AE2.106/3:26/pt.1(sec.1.641-1.850) /990 D 101.11:9-2330-363-14 & P Length of Class Number A classification number may have as many characters as can be input in the 099 field of an OCLC record. The current limit is 47 characters. The abbreviation "/ETC." may be used at the end of classification numbers which would have more than 47 characters. For example: FEM 1.209:220268/ETC. Roman Numerals Roman numerals (I, II, III) should be converted to Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3) in the classification numbers. Capitalization All letters in Superintendent of Documents classification numbers are capitalized. Prior to September 1992, a combination of upper case and lower case letters was used. However, the advent of the automated Acquisition, Classification & Shipment Information System (ACSIS) made a change to all capitals necessary. When class numbers for two or more documents would otherwise be identical, it may be necessary to add a word or abbreviation at the end of the classes to differentiate them. For a list of abbreviations and words used for this purpose, see Appendix A. Locally Assigned Class Numbers Government publications are classified only after they are received at the Library Programs Service. LPS cannot respond to requests for Superintendent of Documents classification numbers for publications it has not received. Instead, LPS suggests that libraries construct their own Superintendent of Documents classes according to the principles outlined in this publication. For documents falling in existing classes, the class stem in the List of Classes may be used, a Cutter number, date, or series number is added after the colon, and an arbitrary designation such as "X" is placed at the end to indicate that it is a locally assigned number. However, every library should work out a method that best serves its own needs and patrons, and should feel completely free in assigning these numbers. |