ARAB 369: Indigenous Narratives: How Libraries are Organized

Williams Libraries Organization

Williams Libraries use the Library of Congress to organize the general collections in Sawyer and Schow.  The Library of Congress comprises of the following elements: 

• Call Numbers  (Library of Congress Classification Outline) 
  • act as an individual identifier and is a way to shelve the books in the library 
  • provide a subject-based organization (materials with similar subject have a similar call #) 
  • Guide:  Finding materials in the library
     
• Subject Headings (Library of Congress Subject Headings - LCSH)
  • are descriptive phrases assigned to library materials 
  • enable to search for similar/related items 

Classification Practices

Subject Headings

The Library of Congress and the Dewey Decimal classifications are universal classification schemes. These are used widely throughout the world. [Countries that use the Dewey Decimal System]. 

Beyond the universal schemes, there are also National Classification Schemes and Specialized (specific themes) based on type of materials or particular subjects. List of classifications: Source codes for vocabularies, rules and schemes 

To counter the hegemony of the Library of Congress Classification System, libraries are developing new methods of organizing their collections and looking at international coordination options

• Indigenous Knowledge Organization at the University of British Columbia Vancouver
  • Indigenous Knowledge Organization 
  • Feature article from Yes magazine 
• Gender related classifications
  • Homosaurus (International LGBTQ+ linked data vocabulary) 
  • Classification at the Out On The Shelves Library (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Two-Spirit, Queer, Intersex, Aromantic/Asexual (LGBT2QIA+) in Vancouver) 
• Virtual International Authority File