A Guide to the Library of Congress Classification: [Hardcover]

Lois Mai Chan (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1563084996 | ISBN-13: 978-1563084997 | Publication Date: August 15, 1999 | Edition: 5

Completely updating Immroth's Guide to the Library of Congress Classification (Libraries Unlimited, 1990), Chan's work adheres to the purpose of previous editions-to provide readers with a basic understanding of the Library of Congress Classification system and its applications. After introducing the classification and giving a brief history of its development, the author presents readers with the general principles, structure, and format of the scheme. She then discusses and illustrates the use of tables. In an entire chapter that is new to this book, Chan provides a general discourse on assigning LC call numbers. Discussion of applications is continued with emphasis on individual classes and specific types of library materials. Appendixes include tables of general application and models for subarrangement of divisions and topics within disciplines. Throughout the book, examples appear, taken from recent Library of Congress Machine-Readable Cataloging (LC MARC) records. A bibliography lists selecte

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Like its predecessors, this complete revision of the fourth edition, entitled Immroth's Guide to the Library of Congress Classification (1990), reflects the changes and developments to the Library of Congress (LC) Classification that have occurred since the previous edition. Starting in 1993, LC began converting its classification data to machine-readable form using the USMARC format. The printed schedules are now available in either print or electronic versions. Another example of continued development is in Class K, especially the schedules for Class K-Law. There are three changes to this edition: Appendix A: General Table has been slightly expanded; Appendix B has been incorporated into Chapter 6; and Chapter 5--Assigning Class Numbers--is new. Despite the magnitude of information covered, the chapters continue to be written both clearly and understandably. Examples used throughout the book are from LC MARC records, many of which are 1995 or later. While this guide is intended to be an introduction to the LC Classification, there is enough information here to be of interest to "seasoned" catalogers. Highly recommended.--Susan Ketcham, Long Island Univ.
Southampton Coll. Lib., NY
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

?Chan does an excellent job of organizing and explaining information compiled from disparate sources...In short, there is really no substitute for this significant and worthwhile text, either for cataloging students or for practitioners.?-Journal of Academic Librarianship

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 551 pages
• Publisher: Libraries Unlimited; 5 edition (August 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563084996
• ISBN-13: 978-1563084997
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.3 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,840,025 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Skip this book--Use Classification Web, October 6, 2007

By 

A. Carter (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Guide to the Library of Congress Classification: (Paperback)

Coincidentally, my cataloging class is discussing how poor this text is as I am writing this review. I laughed when I opened my email and saw that Amazon wanted me to review this book. Not only is the book 10 years old, but it was not sufficiently updated during the last edition. Much of the information is old, awkwardly written, and doesn't reference Classification Web, which nullifies a lot of the information and processes, anyway. As a new cataloger, this book is entirely unhelpful in learning the complicated process of classification. My cataloging class was surprised that this book was put out by Chan, who is one of the best writers in the field of cataloging (her LCSH book is great). We would like to see a classification text that gives exercises, explains patterns better, and references Classification Web (this is what we will be using in our jobs, for crying out loud!). Don't worry, though, future catalogers, we're brainstorming about writing our own text--look for it in a few years. Until then, just go to Classification Web.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Guide to the Library of Congress Classification, March 11, 2007

By 

Cat Novice (Idaho USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Guide to the Library of Congress Classification: (Paperback)

An excellent resource for the novice and the experienced cataloger. Well-organized, well-written. I found this a valuable resource tool during my recent cataloging coursework.