Call Number Main Classes
Side-by-side comparison
The charts below shows the very broadest level of the codes, or main classes, that call numbers start with. (Don't memorize these. Your library has posters and flyers to remind you what the codes stand for.)
The great thing about both systems is that once you find one book on your topic, other books on the same topic or similar topics will be in the same area. So browse away!
| Library of Congress Main Classes |
|
|---|---|
| A | General Works |
| B | Philosophy, Psychology, Religion |
| C | Auxiliary Sciences of History |
| D | History, General and old World |
| E-F | History, America |
| G | Geography, Anthropology, Recreation |
| H | Social Sciences |
| J | Political Science |
| K | Law |
| L | Education |
| M | Music and Books on Music |
| N | Fine Arts |
| P | Language and Literature |
| Q | Science |
| R | Medicine |
| S | Agriculture |
| T | Technology |
| V | Military Science |
| z | Bibliography. Library Science |
| Dewey Decimal Main Classes |
|
|---|---|
| 000 | General Knowledge |
| 100 | Psychology and Philosophy |
| 200 | Religions and Mythology |
| 300 | Social Sciences and Folklore |
| 400 | Languages and Grammar |
| 500 | Math and Science |
| 600 | Medicine and Technology |
| 700 | Arts and Recreation |
| 800 | Literature |
| 900 | Geography and History |
 |
|
Of course, these are the simplified lists. Both systems allow for much more detail. Here's a more complete look at the Library of Congress Classification.