The Cataloging Department catalogs and maintains the records that describe, classify, and organize the materials held by the Roux Library as well as the Roberts Academy. The department also assist in the cataloging of materials for the McKay Archives. For FAQs about the department, please click on the following link.

What is a Call Number?

Every item in the library is given a unique call number to serve as an address for locating it on the shelf. At the moment, the library uses three different types of call numbers: Library of Congress Classification (LCC), Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC), and ANSCR.

Library of Congress Classification System

We are in the process of converting many of the library's collections to the LCC system. Currently, all new books and DVDs are assigned an alpha-numeric LCC number as well as an alpha-numeric cutter number. The LCC number is based on the overall subject matter of the item and the cutter typically is based on the author for books or on the title of a movie for DVDs. Occasionally, you may see call numbers that have two cutter numbers. The first is typically identifying a more specific subject area and the second is a typical cutter number.

The LCC collection starts on the second floor in the NE corner of the library. Be aware that during the conversion, you may have to look in both the LCC and DDC collections to find all the available materials on a subject.

The Library of Congress Classification system is divided into the twenty-one main classes listed below. Please note that the links will take you to pdf file outside of the FSC website.

• A General Works
• B Philosophy, Psychology, Religion
• C Auxiliary Sciences of History
• D History (General) and History of Europe
• E-F History of America
• G Geography, Anthropology, Recreation
• H Social Sciences
• J Political Science
• K Law
• L Education
• M Music
• N Fine Arts
• P Language and Literature
• Q Science
• R Medicine
• S Agriculture
• T Technology
• U Military Science
• V Naval Science
• Bibliography, Library Science, Information Resources (General)

To see a chart that maps Dewey Decimal Call Numbers to Library of Congress Classification numbers, click here

Dewey Decimal System

The Dewey decimal system coordinates materials on the same subject and on related subjects to make items easier to find on the shelves by using a combination of letters and numbers. As with LCC numbers, DDC call numbers also have an alpha-numeric cutter number. While the majority of the General Collection is in DDC, we are moving away from this towards an LCC collection. The non-fiction materials in our children's collection will continue to be cataloged in DDC even after the conversion.

The Dewey system has ten main classes, which are listed below.

• 000 Generalities
• 100 Philosophy and Psychology
• 200 Religion
• 300 Social Science
• 400 Languages
• 500 Natural Science and Mathematics
• 600 Technology (Applied Sciences)
• 700 Arts
• 800 Literature
• 900 Geography and History

Each of the above classes each has ten divisions. These divisions are further divided and then further divided. Each division becomes more specific. The more numbers, the more specific the subject. In this way, the Dewey classification system progresses from the general to the specific.

ANSCR Classification System for Sound Recordings

The ANSCR system is used to organize the Library's collection of compact discs and LP records. Click here to view the ANSCR terms used by Roux Library.

LL 08.02.2011