1. LCCS Training Sessions OSU July 2007
Cuttering
LCCS Training Sessions
OSU
July 2007

2. Background and Definitions
Book number: A decimal number consisting of a letter of the alphabet followed by one or more digits that is appended to a class number in order to arrange material on the same subject in a specified order, usually alphabetically by author. Also called author number.
Charles Ammi Cutter ( ) and the Two-Figure Author Table

3. Example
Treasures of the Library of Congress / Charles A. Goodrum ed.
Call number: Z733.U58 G
Book number: G66 [for the author's surname Goodrum]
This is an example of double cuttering

4. Use of the Cutter
The Cutter is the means by which books can be arranged alphabetically.
Arrangement is based on:
the LC filing rules
the Preferred Shelflist Order table

5. Use of the Cutter (cont.)
Cutters are treated as decimal numbers
Allows for infinite expansion between any two numbers
Example:
.T3
.T46
.T57
.T585
.T59
.T7

6. Step 1: Find the filing position of the work
Search the class number in the online shelflist
Locate the proper location for the work to be shelflisted
Usually, works are shelflisted in alphabetical order by main entry

7. Step 2: Cutter the main entry
Use LC’s Cutter table:
Cutter consists of initial letter of main entry, capitalized
Then, using appropriate line in table, add numbers for 1, 2, or more letters
Examples: IBM - .I26
List - .L57
Quinn - .Q56
Schicht - .S35

8. Special Cases
Treat initials with spaces and/or punctuation as separate words when filing
Treat acronyms and initials not separated in any way as single words
Example:
A.B.C atlas of Isle of Wight
A.W. Johnson enterprises
Aavik, Johannes
ABC health series
Afaisen, Johnny
AFL-CIO
American Philosophical society

9. Cuttering Initial Numerals
Use Cutters .A12 - .A19 when cuttering Roman or Arabic numerals (title main entry)
Choose a Cutter near the center of this range when it is the first Cutter for a numeral in the class
Example: 101 careers in mathematics
Call no.: QA10.5 .A

10. Cuttering Example Shelflist has:
Q387 .I (main entry: International Conference…)
Q387 .K (main entry: Knowledge representation…)
Q387 .L (main entry: Larsen, Thomas)
Work to be shelflisted: Part-whole reasoning in an object-centered framework / Patrick Lambrix.

11. Cuttering Example (cont.)
Lambrix:
L for initial letter
3 for “a”
6 for “m”
Cutter: L36
Will file between:
Q387 .K (main entry: Knowledge representation…)
Q387 .L (main entry: Larsen, Thomas)

12. Single and Double Cutters
Single Cutter for main entry
Part-whole reasoning in an object-centered framework / Patrick Lambrix.
Q387 .L
Double Cutter for topic or geographic, then main entry
A book on taxation of chemical industries in the United States by John Smith:
HD U62 S

13. Single and Double Cutters (cont.)
Double Cutter for country, then local geographic; add digit to 2nd Cutter for main entry
Chemical industries in Prague / Josef Chemický. 2005
HD C943 P

14. How many numbers are needed?
Cutter according to your needs!
Generally, a letter and 2 numbers is adequate
Add more numbers if needed
Example: new book has author Hinkley, D.A.
Shelflist has:
QD251 .H Hermans, Petrus
QD251 .H Huckel, Walter
Assign .H5655 for Hinkley