There are many cases in which the usual method of constructing a call number does not apply. Some of these cases include works by (or about):
Other works that present special challenges are works written by (or about):
In these cases, too, it is important to consult the Library of Congress classification schedules and related tables when constructing a call number.
Some books list multiple publishers, copyright dates, publication dates, or reprint dates. Deciding which of many dates to use in a call number can be a challenge. Use this flow chart / trouble-shooting process to select the appropriate date.
In still other books, the only clue to a book's date of publication comes from a foreword, preface or introduction. If the book you have in hand falls into this category, you may and should use this date for the spine label call number.
Finally, some books include no dates whatsoever. You may find that the Library of Congress or other cataloguing authority has guessed at a date. It is appropriate to add an estimated date to the 260 field (e.g., [1901?], or [192-?] when the decade is certain, or [19--?] when only the century is known). DO NOT use an estimated date in a call number. Construct the call number as you normally would, but without a year of publication.
Use a lower case "v" when identifying volume number (e.g., v.1, v.2, etc.). When one volume is divided into multiple parts, use a forward slash to separate volume from part number. E.g., v.83/1, v.83/2. Musical scores are a different matter. In the case of Bach, e.g., and other appropriate scores, use Roman numerals to identify parts (e.g. v.83/i, v.83/ii).
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