NLM® Classification Fundamentals

Finding the Appropriate Class Number


Other Considerations


Biography and Autobiography

Biography icon

For works that are biographical or autobiographical in nature, consider the emphasis of the work:

  • If it is primarily an account of a person (or two persons or a family) in a given medical or scientific field, generally classify in WZ 100.
  • If it is not an account of a person in a medical or scientific field, class in the appropriate LCC number.
  • If it is a personal narrative relating to an individual's experiences with a disease, specialty, etc., or, if there is generally a heavier emphasis on the subject than on the person, classify with the subject.

For collective biographies of medical or scientific personnel, prefer classification by:

  • Specialty (WZ 112-150)
  • Locality (WZ 140) if the specialty is not applicable
  • Special groups, e.g., African American physicians (WZ 150) if the specialty is not applicable

For non-medical or scientific personnel, class in the appropriate LCC number.