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home Ellis Library, Resources and Services, Uncategorized Peer Navigator Corner: Library of Congress vs. Dewey Decimal System

Peer Navigator Corner: Library of Congress vs. Dewey Decimal System

By Kimberly Moeller   Posted in Ellis Library Resources and Services Uncategorized
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By: Lorelai Clubb

Moving from your high school or public library is already a challenge due to the amazing size of the building and the resources available at MU, but there is another new factor to consider when looking for books at Ellis Library. The University of Missouri Libraries uses the Library of Congress (LoC) classification system, which is very different from the Dewey Decimal System (DDS) you are likely used to. But don’t worry! Understanding how to navigate LoC is easy!

What is the LoC System and Why do we use it?

Firstly, academic libraries use the Library of Congress system because it allows for more items to be cataloged in more specific ways. Each LoC call number is directly attached to a specific resource (i.e. a book) to allow for you to find that resource easier. The LoC system is better for organizing a large number of resources centered around a specific subject. Since we have so many amazing materials here at Ellis, LoC allows us to group subjects easier and make it simpler for you to find the resources you need. The LoC system has 21 different main classes based on letters and then thousands based on numbers, while DDS only has 10 classes based on numbers alone. 


(Source: High Point University Libraries – https://www.highpoint.edu/library/2022/01/25/smith-library-begins-transitioning-book-collection-to-library-of-congress-classification/)

So, what is the Dewey Decimal System then?

The Dewey Decimal System classification system is typically used at public and school libraries because it’s a smaller and more general system, which is better for smaller collections of books. While DDS can be helpful in smaller libraries, it has several flaws that make it more challenging to use in our giant academic library collections. For one, fewer category options leads to diverse topics being squished under one umbrella, making them more challenging to find. Additionally, DDS classifies topics in a somewhat confusing way. For example, if you were looking for a book about human anatomy, you would need to look under the “Technology” section, NOT the “Science” section. Other topics that don’t seem to really belong in “Technology” can also be found there, such as “Public Relations” and “Accounting.” The LoC system removes this confusing problem. 

(Source – Saline County Libraries: https://www.salinecountylibrary.org/dewey-do-not-phasing-out-the-dewey-decimal-system/)

 

Breaking Down the LoC System Call Numbers

A Library of Congress call number is comprised of 4 parts:

  1. Class/Subclass
  2. Topic
  3. Cutter Number
  4. Publication Date

For example, this call number: HV4708 .R83 2011 is one we have at Ellis Library. Let’s break down the number to figure out what book this is about!

  1. Class/Subclass – “HV”
    The class/subclass refers to the first one to two letters of the call number. The first letter, “H” is the “social sciences” class. “HV” is the subclass of “H” that refers specifically to “social welfare”.
  2. Topic – “4708”
    Now that we know our class is in “social welfare,” we can use the number provided to find the specific topic section. By looking at the LoC classification system, we can see that the 4700s refers to Animal Welfare. Now we know what topic our book is based purely on a few numbers and letters. Isn’t that cool?
  3. Cutting Number – “.R83”
    The “cutter number” refers to the author of the material. The name “cutter” doesn’t actually refer to something being “cut”, it is named after its creator, Charles Cutter. The cutter number is a letter followed by two numbers. The first letter, “R” in this case, is the first name of our author. The “8” and “3” are the next two letters of the author’s name, but numbers are used in place of more letters. Understanding this part is a little more complicated, but the Library of Congress website has a handy table for us to use to decipher what the two numbers mean:

    (Source – Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/aba/pcc/053/table.html)
  4. Publication Date – “2011”
    This part is the easiest part of the LoC call number. The “2011” refers to when the book was published.

Now we know this book is about animal welfare, written by someone with a last name beginning with “Rud”, and the book was published in 2011. The book in question is Loving Animals: Toward a New Animal Advocacy by Kathy Rudy. 

Summary

While it might seem complicated, the Library of Congress classification system allows for us at Mizzou and other academic libraries to hold more resources and makes it much easier to locate materials on certain subjects. If you are having trouble navigating the library and finding a book, no fear! Just stop by the “Ask Here” desk on the first floor directly up the stairs of the West Entrance (Speaker’s Circle entrance) and to the right. Our “Ask Here” desk is staffed by students just like you who understand how daunting the Ellis Library can be at times. No question is too silly or too small, stop by and ask for directions and help 10am to 10pm Monday through Thursday, and noon to 10 pm on Sundays.

home Ellis Library, Resources and Services Peer Navigator Corner: The Depository

Peer Navigator Corner: The Depository

By Kimberly Moeller   Posted in Ellis Library Resources and Services
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Written by: Clementine Arneson

Famously (at least to the Tour Team), Ellis Library has over 3.5 million volumes that students can browse through. However, over a million of those books are located just a couple of miles away at the MU Depository. Even as a library employee, I’m always surprised when I learn just how many books and resources are available through MU Libraries alone.

The Depository is essentially overflow storage that allows MU students to have access to a much larger collection. It is designed to store as many books as possible, and to keep these books in archival condition. To achieve this, the books are sorted by size and the shelves are adjustable – this allows the books to be stored at a much higher density than at Ellis Library. The shelves themselves are also simply much larger – the Depository looks like a warehouse and the shelves are around 40 feet tall. The books are also carefully stored so that they last as long as possible without deteriorating. To achieve this, they are kept in acid-free boxes at 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

So, how can you access the books in the Depository? Unfortunately, the site is not open to the public, but at Mizzou we are lucky to be the Missouri campus closest to the Depository. Books located there will show up when searching the library homepage with the location, “MU Library Depository.” Simply place a request for the book you’re interested in, select a location for pick-up, and the book should arrive within a couple of days. The Depository can also scan articles and chapters and send a PDF file directly to your email.

home Ellis Library, Resources and Services Peer Navigator Corner: Equipment Lending

Peer Navigator Corner: Equipment Lending

By Kimberly Moeller   Posted in Ellis Library Resources and Services
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Written by: Lexi Tucker

Have you ever been on campus and had your phone die? Or have you reserved a study room and needed more outlets for your devices? Well, the circulation desk facing Lowry Mall on the first floor of Ellis Library is an awesome resource for finding a solution!

In addition to checking out books, the circulation desk provides many other services, with a popular one being lending equipment. The service caters to a wide range of items from phone chargers to get you through your study session, to laptops if you are in a sudden need of a loaner. Beyond technology, patrons can rent umbrellas on a rainy day to get around campus, and conveniently return them to a closer campus library. Whether you need a camera for class, headphones to listen to music while studying, or office supplies to use in study rooms, the lending feature is a great, FREE resource for all students.

To borrow an item, all you need is your student ID. Show your Mizzou ID to the staff at the circulation desk, and they will let you know the availability of the product and when it should be returned. Pay attention to the due date as items range from hours and days for equipment, and even months for books!

Any questions? Stop by the Ellis Library circulation desk from 7:30 a.m. to Midnight Sunday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. Equipment lending is a feature of all the libraries on campus, and unless the item is offered at only a specific location you may return it to the most convenient one. A full list of available equipment and where it can be found is on the library’s website: https://libraryguides.missouri.edu/equipment

home Ellis Library, Resources and Services Peer Navigator Corner: Study Rooms

Peer Navigator Corner: Study Rooms

By Kimberly Moeller   Posted in Ellis Library Resources and Services
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Written by: Alyssa Westhoff

One great resource Ellis offers that I was unaware of before becoming a Peer Navigator is the opportunity to reserve a study room. Many students, like myself, enter the library and just sit anywhere that seems accommodating enough, and hope we’ll be able to study without any distractions. Sometimes we need to know there will be no interruptions, rather than just hope. Study rooms provide an opportunity for just that! They are perfect for taking online proctored exams, attending zoom meetings, verbally explaining concepts while studying with a friend, or creating audio or visual recordings. 

These rooms are located on every floor of the library to simultaneously accommodate as many patrons as possible. There are single person options as well as group options which can hold up to 20 people at a time. Many study rooms have white boards on the walls. Extra tools such as dry erase markers can be checked out from the circulation desk to use as you study. I’m sure many students are not aware that study rooms even exist, let alone that they can be reserved to guarantee a private space to be productive.

The process of reserving a study room can be completed easily on the library website. Near the bottom of the homepage is a category titled “Quick Links.” Under that, the first subcategory is “Reserve a Study Room Info.” After clicking this link it takes you directly to the Study Room Reservation calendar where each room and time slot is shown. Any empty gray box indicates availability, while colored boxes with words mean the room is reserved. The study rooms labeled with numbers in the 100’s will be located on the first floor, 200’s on the second floor and so on. The occupancy of each room is listed after the room number in parentheses. In order to reserve a room, select the date you want, and click whichever gray box coincides with the time and room you would like to choose. You will be directed to a page that asks for a title which will appear on the calendar to let others know that this room is no longer available at that time. A single booking lasts a maximum of 2 hours. After filling in a title, scroll to the bottom of the page and click “Save.” After completing these steps the room is all yours!