Reclassification

How one college moved from Dewey to LC call numbers

cost-effectively

Carol LoveKuyper College

Zondervan LibraryGrand Rapids, MI

Why did Kuyper College decide to reclassify?

• Need for specificity in classification• Standard in academic libraries is LC

classification• Plans for migration and joining a

consortium that uses LC classification

Early decisions

• Reclassification as first step in migration process

• Weed the collection before reclassification

• Exclude special collections and E-books

Processing specifications

• Use LC classification in record first.

• Search LC database for classification second.

• Place new call number and new barcode number in item field.

Label printing specifications

• Spine label sets for reclassified items only

• Labels printed in LC call number order

• Barcodes for all items to make number of digits consistent

Tips from the Librarian

• Better to load reclassified records into new system if migrating

• Map out the library for shifting books and applying labels

• Work with another library who has already done this

Rely on MARCIVE for reclassification assistance!

For more detailed information, contact

info@marcive.com or 1-800-531-7678.