The Library of Congress (LC) Classification System
The RCC Library organizes books and other materials on the shelf according to the Library of Congress, or LC, Classification System. This is the same system used by the Boston Public Library and most college libraries. Every book in our collection has its LC call number printed on a label on its spine. To see a description of the classes and sub-classes of the LC Classification System, visit LC Classification System.
Since the LC Classification System organizes books by subject, it is possible to browse the shelves and find similar books together.
Each call number is made of several parts. For instance the call number RA859.3 .C65 2000 can be broken down in the following manner:
| Alphabetical order | RA |
| Whole numerical order | 859.3 |
| Decimal alphanumerical order | .C65 |
| Year of publication | 2000 |
The call numbers are in alpha-numeric order starting with the first line and working down. There is a decimal point at the beginning of the third line and the numbers in it are decimals, not whole numbers. Look at these three similar call numbers. They are in correct order because the third lines are treated as decimals.
| RA | RA | RA |
|---|---|---|
| 859.3 | 859.3 | 859.3 |
| .C132 | .C65 | .C7 |
| 1996 | 2001 | 1999 |
Starting with the call number from the online catalog, it is possible to find most books on the shelf. Follow these methodical steps to find your book quickly:
