Difference Between Library of Congress System and Dewey Decimal System

The main difference between Library of Congress System and Dewey Decimal System is that Library of Congress System has 21 classes, allowing for more call numbers, but Dewey Decimal System only has 10 classes, allowing only a limited number of call numbers.

Library of Congress System and Dewey Decimal System are two popular classification systems in libraries. Both these have their own advantages and disadvantages.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Library of Congress System 
     – Definition, Classification, Classes
2. What is Dewey Decimal System
     – Definition, Classification, Classes
3. What is the Difference Between Library of Congress System and Dewey Decimal System
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Dewey Decimal System, DDC, Library of Congress System, LCC

What is Library of Congress System

Library of Congress Classification (LCC) or Library of Congress system is a system of library classification developed by the Library of Congress. It was created in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to organize the books in the Library of Congress. At present, many academic and research libraries in the United States, as well as in, some other countries use this system. Moreover, this system divides all library materials into 21 main classes; a letter of the alphabet identifies each of these classes. These main classes are as follows:

Furthermore, these main alphabetical classes have numerous specific subclasses, which are identifiable by two-letter or three-letter combinations. For example, class P, which denotes language and literature has subclasses as PA (Greek language and literature. Latin language and literature), PB (Modern languages. Celtic languages and literature), PC (Romanic languages), etc.

In addition to that, each of these subclasses is once more subdivided into sections that represent components of the subclass, indicating form, place, time & subtopics. These are indicated by numbers, some with decimals. For instance, Subclass PK has many subdivisions as follows:

PK1651-(1799)   Bengali

PK1501-2899 Modern Indo-Aryan languages

PK1931-2212    Hindi, Urdu, Hindustani languages and literatures

PK1001-1095 Pali

What is Dewey Decimal System

Dewy decimal classification (DDC) or Dewey decimal system is a classification system for organizing the contents of a library. It was introduced by Melvil Dewey in 1876, in the United States. Moreover, this classification system is widely used in libraries all over the world. The Dewey decimal system organizes library materials according to subject or discipline. All fields are categorized into ten groups, and each group is assigned 100 numbers. The main 10 groups are as follows:

Furthermore, these 10 main groups are divided again and again into subgroups to accommodate specific topics. This system also divides the principal sub-series of each main group by 10. In addition, the notation uses Arabic numbers; there are three whole numbers indicating the main classes and sub-classes while decimals designate further divisions. For example,

940 – history of Europe

942 – history of England

942.06 – history of the Stuart period

Using this system, library staff and members can generally locate a particular volume in a library on the basis of its subject. Libraries of varying sizes can use this system since there is an abridged version as well as a full classificatory guide of the DDC. However, when we compare it with Library of congress system, Dewey Decimal System is more suitable for smaller collections like school libraries. 

Difference Between Library of Congress System and Dewey Decimal System

Definition

Library of Congress Classification (LCC) or Library of Congress system is a system of library classification developed by the Library of Congress, but Dewy decimal classification (DDC) or Dewey decimal system is a classification system introduced by Melvil Dewey in 1876.

Type of System

Library of Congress System uses a mixture of letters and numbers, but Dewey Decimal System uses a numeric system.

Basic Division

While Library of Congress System has 21 main classes, Dewey Decimal System has 10 broad classes.

Suitability

Since Library of Congress is larger and allows for more call numbers, it is more suitable for large academic and research libraries. Dewey Decimal System, on the other hand, is better for small collections like school libraries.

Conclusion

The main difference between Library of Congress System and Dewey Decimal System is that Library of Congress System has 21 classes, allowing for more call numbers, while Dewey Decimal System only has 10 classes, allowing only a limited number of call numbers. Since the Library of Congress is larger, it is more suitable for large academic and research libraries. Dewey Decimal System, on the other hand, is better for small collections like school libraries.

Reference:

1. “Dewey Decimal Classification.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 25 Oct. 2018, Available here.
2. “Library of Congress Classification.” Library of Congress, Available here.
3. “Library of Congress Classification.” Librarianship Studies, 23 July 2019, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “The Library of Congress Classification System” By Shonnmharen – Own work (CC BY 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “The Dewey Decimal System Chart” By makayla eads – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia

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