Printer-Friendly

Symphony Class Scheme and Call Number Entry Guidelines

The class scheme in Symphony determines how the shelving key is generated, which in turn determines how call numbers sort. The shelving key field should not be directly edited. Consistency of sorting will depend to some extent on spacing conventions used, and on the appropriate use of subfield z to separate the base call number from volume or part numbering. In addition, a browse call number search will return more consistent results if the search is qualified by class scheme.

A. Class Scheme

Apply the following guidelines to assign the appropriate class scheme for a given call number. LC, Dewey and SuDocs numbers have special sort rules, and are not treated as straightforward alphanumerics. The "PER" extension indicates that multiple call numbers will display in descending order, i.e., the highest numbered or latest volume displays first.

Exception: LAW will use alphanum.

Note: for a given title, ascending or descending display can be specified regardless of the class scheme. With the full record displayed in the OPAC, click on the "QUALIFY" button, and on the "VIEW OPTIONS" screen, set "Order of call numbers" to ascending or descending.

B. Call Number Entry

Apply the following spacing and punctuation conventions when entering a call number of a given type. In Symphony, all letters are upper case. Enter one space before a size designator (T, F, FF). There is no space before or after a subfield z. For more information on subfield z, see separate guidelines: Use of subfield z in the call number field in Symphony.

1. LC: enter call number with one space and one period before the first cutter, and one space before the second cutter, embedded date, or scale. Enter one space before the date of publication in a monographic call number. Call numbers imported via Smartport from the 050 field should load with correct formatting.

G107.9 .F5 1976|zV.1
G3804 .N4:2M3 1980 .G4
G4820 S250 .G7
JK609 .M2 1986
KLB2064 .51993 .A4 P95 1993
M452 .B41 Q2|zOP.18:4 M
M1001 .M72|zK.550 1989
PS3570 .Y45 B74 1988 F
RT81 .U6 N29 T

2. Dewey: enter call number with one space before the first cutter. Enter one space before a date of publication or edition statement for a monographic call number.

660 .H424AM
550 .B423
025.4 .I59U ED.2 F

3. SuDocs: enter call number with one space between letters and numbers unless there is intervening punctuation. This is the same format as the 086 field.

E 1.1:
Y 1.1:M 29
I 19.2:AL/7/2
A 1.2:C 76/5/FACTA 1
HE 1.2:EL 2/976-77

4. Other call numbers:

Last modified: October 8, 2008