ANSCR stands for Alpha-Numeric System for Classification of Recordings. ANSCR is pronounced "answer". The ANSCR system is used to organize the Library's collection of compact discs and LP records instead of the Dewey decimal classification system. The call number is a series of letters and numbers in four groups. Each group is called a "term".

ANSCR Call Number Composition
ANSCR call numbers consist of four basic lines of information (called terms); each is explained below.

Term One
Letter or letters representing one of the ANSCR categories.

Term Two
Based on the ANSCR category specified in Term One, Term Two will be the first four consecutive letters of the composer's surname, performer's surname, author's surname, title, or topic.

Term Three
Initial letters of the first three significant words of the title, or the first three consecutive letters of a one-word title.

Term Four
First letter of the performer's surname (or production company if a children's recording) followed by the last two digits of the recording company's production number.

ANSCR Call Number Examples
In the following examples, an ANSCR call number is shown, together with the descriptive sound recording information used to develop the call number. Recording descriptions include the ANSCR call number coding in parentheses following each item of information.

Example 1:

Example 2:

09.19.2005