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Call Numbers & Library of Congress Classification System

What Is a Call Number?

Library of Congress Classification System

Most books in the Mendik Library are arranged by the Library of Congress Classification System. The system divides all knowledge into twenty-one basic classes, each identified by a single letter of the alphabet. Most of these alphabetical classes are further divided into more specific subclasses, identified by two-letter, or occasionally, three-letter combinations.

For example:

Class K - Law

  • Library of Congress Classification: Class K -- Law
    • Subclass K - Law in general. Comparative and uniform law. Jurisprudence
      • Subclass KB - Religious law in general. Comparative religious law. Jurisprudence
        • Subclass KBM - Jewish law
        • Subclass KBP - Islamic law
        • Subclass KBR - History of canon law
        • Subclass KBU - Law of the Roman Catholic Church. The Holy See
      • Subclasses - KD-KDK United Kingdom and Ireland
      • Subclass KDZ - America. North America
      • Subclass KE - Canada
      • Subclass KF - United States
      • Subclass KG - Latin America - Mexico and Central America - West Indies. Caribbean area
      • Subclass KH - South America
      • Subclasses KJ-KKZ - Europe
      • Subclasses KL-KWX - Asia and Eurasia, Africa, Pacific Area, and Antarctica
      • Subclass KZ - Law of nations

You can see the complete list of the Library of Congress call numbers by clicking here.