A call number normally consists of five lines (sometimes it will have as many as seven):
The letter(s) together with the number on the second line designate a general subject. The Library of Congress classification schedules guide CMU cataloguers when they choose a letter-number combination which will determine the general location of an item in the library stacks.
Both the first and second Cutter numbers are normally arrived at by using this Cutter table.
The first Cutter number is derived from the main entry of the item (often the author’s last name, sometimes the title). The first letter, then two numbers corresponding to the 2nd and 3rd letter will produce the appropriate Cutter number. Thus, “Lewis” would normally be cuttered, “L49”.
The second Cutter comes from the secondary entry (usually the first significant word in the title, sometimes the last name of an editor). Again, the first letter, then two numbers corresponding to the 2nd and 3rd letter of the name or title will produce the appropriate Cutter number. Thus, “Stream” would normally be cuttered, “S77”.
The last line is normally the year in which the item was published or the latest copyright date.
E.g.:
But exceptions are numerous, and cataloguers should be aware of them. The Advanced Classification page discusses some common exceptions and provides guidelines for dealing with them.
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