Contents

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Basic Components of Call Numbers for Monographs and Classed Serials
• 3. Type of Call Numbers to be Cuttered
• 3.1 NLM Call Number
• 3.2 Alternative Call Number
• 4. Shelflisting Procedures
• 4.1. Determining the Cutter Number
• 4.1.1. Use of Cutter Table
• 4.1.2. Initials, Abbreviations, and Acronyms in Cuttering
• 4.1.3. Choosing Between Cutter Entries
• 4.1.4. Cutter Conflict
• 4.1.5. Numbers
• 4.1.6. Uniform title main entry
• 4.1.7. Translations
• 4.1.8. Reprints
• 4.1.9. Analyzed Mutlipart Items
• 4.1.10. Table G
• 4.1.11. Cuttering Patterns
• 4.1.12. Classification Numbers Requiring Special Cuttering Instructions
• 4.2. Determining the Year
• 4.2.1 Imprint with Publication and Printing Dates
• 4.2.2 Translations of other works
• 4.2.3 Questionable Dates
• 4.2.4 Multi-part Items
• 4.2.5 Serial Analytics
• 4.2.5.1 Serial Analytics for Single Monographs
• 4.2.5.2 Serial Analytics for Multipart Items
• 4.2.5.2.1 Serial Analytics for Closed Multipart Items
• 4.2.5.2.2 Serial Analytics for Open Multipart Items
• 4.2.5.3 Serial Analytics for a Serial within a Serial
• 4.2.6 Bibliographies
• 4.2.7 Reprints
• 4.2.8 Fascimiles
• 4.2.9 WZ 290 Call number
• 4.3. Determining the Workmark
• 4.3.1 Lowercase Letter Workmark
• 4.3.2 Uppercase Letter Workmark
• 4.3.3 Exceptions
• 5. Basic Cuttering Patterns
• 5.1 Single Cutter from Main Entry
• 5.2 Single Cutter from Subject
• 5.2.1. Subject as Main Entry
• 5.2.2. Subject as Added Entry
• 5.3 Individual Biography (WZ 100)
• 5.3.1 Autobiography
• 5.3.2 Biography
• 5.4 Literary Works and Works about Authors of Literary Works
• 6. Special Cuttering Instructions
•  

1. Introduction

Shelflisting is the process of preparing a shelflist entry for each title in a library's collection. A shelflist is a file containing records, arranged in call number order, for each title cataloged. After an item is cataloged and classified, the shelflister determines the cutter number and immediately enters it into the online file. This assures the uniqueness of each call number. The following are general guidelines to assist in shelflisting. The field tags mentioned in this section are MARC 21 fields.

 

2. Basic Components of Call Numbers for Monographs and Classed Serials

A call number consists of the following basic components when applicable:

• Classification number
• Table G number
• Cutter number
• Workmark
• Volume or issue number
• Year of publication
• Supplement number
• Year of supplement

 

3. Type of Call Numbers to be Cuttered

• 3.1. NLM Call Number

• This is a unique call number assigned to each piece showing its shelving location in the library.

• 3.2. Alternate Call Number

• This call number is assigned to W1 and W3 analytics and items with "accession call numbers" for outside libraries to use.
•  

4. Shelflisting Procedures

• 4.1. Determining the Cutter Number

• 4.1.1 Use of Cutter Table

• NLM uses the Cutter-Sanborn Three-Figure Author Table (1969 ed.) for determining the cutter number to be applied to the main entries. If a class number requires a geographical breakdown, catalogers will supply the Table G number. When necessary, catalogers will also provide specific cuttering instructions according to the NLM Classification Schedule in a cataloger's note field.
• The cutter table is a list of character strings representing partial or full words followed by digits.

• Example 4.1.1: Basic Cuttering

  Characters/String	Numeric Equivalent
  Bly	661
  Bo	662
  Bob	663
  Boc	664
  Bock	665

•  

• 4.1.2. Initials, Abbreviations, and Acronyms in Cuttering

• Cuttering follows the ALA Filing Rules (1980 ed.), which is basically word-by-word filing. Initials, abbreviations, and acronyms are filed as words with U.S. and Gt. Brit. as two exceptions, as noted below. Disregard initial articles (see also AACR2 Appendix E).

• Example 4.1.2: Cuttering with initials, abbreviations and acronyms

  Initials, Abbreviations, and Acronyms	Instructions
  U.S.	Cutter for United States
  WHO	Cutter for Who
  Gt. Brit.	Cutter for Great
  St.	Cutter for St
  Ste.	Cutter for Ste
  Mc	Cutter for Mc (not Mac)
  MEDLARS	Cutter for Medlars
  Dr.	Cutter for Dr
  IVth	Cutter for IVth
  &	Cutter for and

•  

• 4.1.3. Choosing Between Cutter Entries

• If the main entry word falls between cutter entries, use the cutter that is listed above the word.

• Example 4.1.3a: Choice of Cutter Entries

  Main entry word is Burger

  Cutter entries: Burg 954, Burges 995

  Use B954 for Burger

•  
• Keep the same cutter between editions of the same work, unless the main entry changes. Also keep the same cutter when the main entry is for a numbered conference unless the main entry changes.

• Example 4.1.3b: Cuttering editions of the same work with the same or different title

  Example	Edition	Title	Cutter
  A	Title main entry of first edition:	Challenges of prostate cancer	C48
  	Title main entry of second edition:	Challenge of prostate cancer	C48
  B	Title main entry of first edition:	Conceptual basis for rural nursing	C744
  	Title main entry of second edition:	Rural nursing : theory and practice	R9485

•  
• In the case of other works having the same title proper, e.g., works-in-parts with the same main title and different part titles, use the part title or subtitle to decide cutter numbers. If no subtitle or part title exists, follow the instructions for Cutter conflict below.

• Example 4.1.3c: Cuttering editions with the same title and different subtitles, use of subtitle for cuttering

  Title main entry	Cutter
  Intra-abdominal infections : prevention	I61
  Intra-abdominal infections : treatment	I614

•  

• 4.1.4. Cutter Conflict

• If a cutter number has already been used for a different main entry, expand the number by adding additional digits (1-9) at the end of the appropriate number.
•  
• NOTE: Never use zero ( 0 ) at the end or the beginning of a cutter number.
  Never use the digit "1" by itself in a cutter number.
•  

• 4.1.5. Numbers

• If Arabic numbers are the first characters in the main entry to be cuttered, use Z999 as the cutter number. This makes numbers file after letters.

• Example 4.1.5a Numbers in main entry

  Title main entry	Cutter
  1995 symposium on ...	Z999

•  
• If an Arabic number is the 2nd element in the word to be cuttered, start the cutter with the alphabet letter, followed by 3 digits (991 to 999) as the remaining part of the cutter number.

• Example 4.1.5b: Numbers as the second element in main entry

  Title main entry	Cutter
  The E6 and E7 of ...	E995

•  
• Roman numerals are treated as letters. Use the first letter of the Roman numeral for cuttering.

• Example 4.1.5c: Numbers as roman numerals

  Title main entry	Cutter
  VIIIth Meeting of ...	V999

•  

• 4.1.6. Uniform title main entry

• A monograph with a uniform title main entry is cuttered by the uniform title (130) field and does not require a workmark.

• Example 4.1.6a: Uniform title main entry monograph

  Uniform title main entry - monograph (130)	Title (245)	Class number	Cutter	Year
  Cahiers Laënnec	L'insémination artificielle	WQ 208	C132	1952

•  
• Serials with uniform title main entry are cuttered by title proper (245) field.

• Example 4.1.6b: Uniform title main entry serial

  Uniform title main entry - serial (130)	Title (245)	Class number	Table G	Cutter
  Canadiana	Author entries for provincial ...	Z 695.1	G7	A939

•  

• 4.1.7. Translations

• For translations entered under author, cutter for author's name with a workmark taken from the original title (240) field.

• Example 4.1.7a: Translation with an author main entry

  Author main entry	Uniform title (240)	Title (245)	Class number	Cutter
  Guy, de Chauliac, ca. 1300-1368	Chirurgia magna. Middle English	An interpolated Middle English version of the anatomy ...	WZ 290	G986c

•  
• For translations entered under title, cutter for the original title (130) field.

• Example 4.1.7b: Translation with a title main entry

  Title main entry	Title (245)	Class number	Cutter
  Chen chiu hsueh. Japanese	Shin Chugoku ...	WB 369	C518

•  

• 4.1.8. Reprints

• If NLM has the original title, use the same cutter and workmark as the original title. If NLM does not have the original title, follow standard cuttering guidelines.
• Follow specific requirements for the year element of the call number as described in sections 4.2.7 and 4.2.8 below.
•  

• 4.1.9. Analyzed Multipart Items

• Use the call number from the overall record, with the addition of volume and numbering. See section 4.2.4 below for more information.
•  

• 4.1.10. Table G

• When assigning the cutter number following a Table G number, use the Cutter-Sanborn Three-Figure Author Table (1969 ed.) for determining the cutter number.
•  

• 4.1.11. Cuttering Patterns: See Section 5 for details.

•  

• 4.1.12. Classification Numbers Requiring Special Cuttering Instructions: See Section 6 for details.

•  

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• 4.2. Determining the Year

• 4.2.1. Imprint with Publication Date and Printing Dates

• If the imprint has a publication date and a printing date, use the publication date in the call number.

• Example 4.2.1: Publication and printing dates

  Imprint (260) field	Instructions
  ... 1977 (1979 printing)	Use "1977" in the call number
  New York : Putnam, [199-?]	Use "1990" in the call number

•  

• 4.2.2. Translations

• Use the date in the imprint followed by the letter "a."

• Example 4.2.2: Translations

  Title (245)	Imprint (260)	Instructions
  Atlas of breast disease ... translated by ...	Philadelphia : Decker, 1991.	Use "1991a" in the call number

•  

• 4.2.3. Questionable Dates

• When the item has questionable dates in imprint, always use the earliest date in the call number.

• Example 4.2.3: Questionable Dates

  Imprint (260)	Instructions
  New York : Wiley, [between 1973 and 1977]	Use "1973" in the call number
  Chicago : Putnam, [199-?]	Use "1990" in the call number

•  

• 4.2.4. Multipart Items

• Use the publication date of the first known volume as presented in the imprint area of the bibliographic record. Each piece of this set will have the same year in the call number followed by the volume number, regardless of the actual year of publication of the specific volume.
•  
• Note: Volume 3 of this set is published in 1994 and the date 1994 appears in the imprint.

• Example 4.2.4: Multi-part Items

  Class	Cutter	Year	Volume
  WY 49	S697d	1992	v.1
  WY 49	S697d	1992	v.2
  WY 49	S697d	1992	v.3

•  

• 4.2.5. Serial analytics

• 4.2.5.1. Single Monographs

• Use the volume number and the imprint date of the analyzed piece in the call number.
• Call numbers in individual analytic records:

• Example 4.2.5.1a: Serial Analytics Cuttering

  Class	Cutter	Volume	Year
  W1	DR899B	v.80	1993
  W1	DR899B	v.85	1996

• EXCEPTION:
• When the issue date differs from the copyright date, consider the issue date as an inferred date of publication. Use the issue date in both the W1 and the Alternate call number.
•  

• Example 4.2.5.1b: Issue and copyright dates variance

  Serial issue number and date: v8 no.1 1997

  Copyright date: 1996

  Use 1997 in the year for the W1 and Alternate call numbers.

•  

• 4.2.5.2. Multipart Items

• 4.2.5.2.1. Closed Multipart Items

• If all volumes are published in the same year, use that year in the call number.

• Example 4.2.5.2.1a: All volumes published in same year

  Title to be shelflisted is a multipart item consisting of a two volume set where both volumes are published in 1994.
  Class	Cutter	Volume	Year
  W1	ME9616J	v.24-25	1994

• If the multipart set is closed but the volumes are not published in the same year, do not use the year in the call number.

• Example 4.2.5.2.1b: All volumes published in different years

  The title to be shelflisted is a multipart item consisting of a six volume set where not all the volumes are published in the same year.
  Class	Cutter	Volume
  W1	DR899B	v.91-96

 

• 4.2.5.2.2. Open Multipart Items

• No date is used in the call number for serial analytics which are open multipart items.

• Example 4.2.5.2.2: Open Multipart Item

  The title to be shelflisted is a serial analytic which is an open multipart item.
  Class	Cutter	Volume
  W1	ME9615K	v.78 etc.

•  

• 4.2.5.3. Serial within a Serial

• No date is used in the call number when the item is a serial within a serial.

• Example 4.2.5.3: Serial within a serial

  Class	Cutter	Volume
  W1	AD716	v.2 etc.

•  

• 4.2.6. Bibliographies

• Use a span of years in the call number if the years are given in the title or notes. Repeat the digits for the century in the ending date only when they differ from those used for the beginning dates.

• Example 4.2.6a: Years in title in different centuries

  Title	Class	Cutter	Year
  Catalogue of nineteenth century Italian books (1801-1900)	Z 2345	C641	1801-1900

•  

• Example 4.2.6b: Years in title within the same century

  Title	Class	Cutter	Year
  AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) : a bibliography from all fields of periodical literature, 1982-1986.	ZWD 308	A2875	1982-86

•  

• 4.2.7. Reprints

• Use the year of the original publication followed by the letter "a" in the call number. Generally, the original publication date is cited in a note (500 field) or in 008 Date 2.
• For the 2nd (or 3rd, etc.) reprint of the same original publication use "b" (or "c", etc.) after the original publication date in the call number.

• Example 4.2.7: Reprint dates

  Note (500)	Instructions
  Originally published: Englewood Cliffs, N.J. : Prentice Hall, 1974.	Use "1974a" in the call number.

• However, when there is a collection of reprints in which each of the original pieces was published separately, the current imprint date is used in the call number. Do not use "a" in this case.
•  

• 4.2.8. Facsimiles

• Use the year of the original publication followed by the letter "F" in the call number.

• Example 4.2.8: Facsimiles

  Title (245)	Imprint (260)	Note (500)	Call Number
  Diccionario de autoridades / Real Academia Espanola.	Madrid : Gredos, 1979.	Fascim. of the 1726 edition published by ...	WZ 290 A167d 1726F

• Use "1726F" in call number.
•  

• 4.2.9. WZ 290

• When using the call number WZ 290, use "F" after the year of the original publication date in the call number, if the piece explicitly states it is a facsimile publication. For all other reprints, use "a" after the year of original publication. In case of doubt, prefer "a".
• If the date of original publication is unknown, use the current imprint date with no additions.

• Example 4.2.9: WZ 290

  Title (245)	Imprint (260)	Note (500)	Call Number
  The philosophy of natural magic ... new foreword to 1974 edition by ...	... c1974	Reprint of p. [5]-307 of the 1913 ed. published by ...	WZ 290 A279p 1913F

• Use "1913F" in call number.
•  

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• 4.3. Determining the Workmark

• 4.3.1. Lowercase Letter Workmark

• For items entered under and cuttered for a personal or corporate main entry, a lowercase letter for the first word of the title is used following the cutter number as a workmark.

• Example 4.3.1a: Lowercase Letter Workmark

  Main entry (100)	Title (245)	Class number	Cutter	Year
  Alken, Carl-Erich	Urology, guide ...	WJ 100	A415u	1982

• Expand the workmark alphabetically with additional lowercase letters as needed.
•  

• Example 4.3.1b: Lowercase Letter Workmark for multiple works by same author

  The title above by Alken is already in the database and a second title called Urological diseases is received. The workmark is expanded to "ua".
  Main entry (100)	Title (245)	Class number	Cutter	Year
  Alken, Carl-Erich	Urological diseases	WJ 100	A415ua	1987

• Exception: Titles Begining with Arabic Numerals
• When there is a personal or corporate name main entry and the title begins with an Arabic or Roman numeral, the lowercase "z" is used as the workmark.
•  

• Example 4.3.1c: Titles beginning with Arabic numerals with a personal or corporate name main entry

  Main entry (100)	Title (245)	Class number	Cutter	Year
  WHO Task Force on Environmental Health Criteria...	2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acit (2-4-D)	WA 240	W6273z	1989

•  

• 4.3.2. Uppercase Letter Workmark

• Always use the upper case letter for "L" in the workmark to distinguish it from the number one.

• Example 4.3.2a: Uppercase Letter Workmark

  Main entry (100)	Title (245)	Class number	Cutter	Year
  Jackson, Allen	Last stage of skin ...	WR 218	J12L	1990

• When the NLM Classifcation gives instructions to cutter by subject rather than main entry (e.g. biographies), an uppercase letter for the author main entry is used following the cutter number for an added entry as the subject. (Cf. Section 5.2 and 5.3).
•  

• Example 4.3.2b: Uppercase Letter Workmark

  Main entry (100)	Title (245)	Added Entry (700)	Class number	Cutter	Year
  Fenwick, John Ralph, 1761-1855	Sketch of the professional life and ... of John Clark ...	Clark, John, 1744-1805	WZ 100	C591F	1806

•  

• 4.3.3. Exception

• Workmarks are not added for monographs entered and cuttered under title or uniform title main entry.
•  

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5. Basic Cuttering Patterns

• 5.1 Single Cutter from Main Entry

• Most classification numbers fall into this category.
•  

• 5.2 Single Cutter from Subject

• The subject may be the main entry or the personal or corporate added entry of a bibliographic record. C635 is the cutter number for the subject, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, in the following illustrations.

• 5.2.1. Subject as Main Entry

• If the subject is the main entry, use a lowercase letter workmark from the title.

• Example 5.2.1: Cleveland Clinic Foundation as a subject main entry

  Corporate main entry (110)	Title (245)	Class	Cutter	Year
  Cleveland Clinic Foundation.	A new collection of publications and other documents relative to the Foundation.	WB 24	C635n	1938

•  

• 5.2.2. Subject as Added Entry

• If the subject is an added entry and the bibliographic record has a personal author main entry, use the capital letter workmark from the author main entry.

• Example 5.2.2a: Cleveland Clinic Foundation as a subject added entry

  Personal name main entry (100)	Title (245)	Subject added entry (610)	Class	Cutter	Year
  Rowland, Amy Farley.	Historical sketch of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation / by Amy Rowland.	Cleveland Clinic Foundation	WB 24	C635R	1940

• If the subject is an added entry and the bibliographic record has a title main entry, use the lowercase letter workmark from the title main entry.
•  

• Example 5.2.2b: Cleveland Clinic Foundation as the subject added entry

  Title main entry (245)	Subject added entry (610)	Class	Cutter	Year
  History of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation / edited by John Smith.	Cleveland Clinic Foundation	WB 24	C635h	1939

•  

• 5.3. Individual Biography (WZ 100)

• 5.3.1. Autobiography

• For the first autobiography, supply a cutter from the name of the biographee with NO workmark. For additional autobiographies of the same person, use the same cutter for the biographee plus a lowercase letter from title as the workmark to differentiate it from the others.

• Example 5.3.1: Autobiography

  Personal name main entry (100)	Title (245)	Class	Cutter	Year
  Clinton, DeWitt	My life as a ...	WZ 100	C6413	1970
  Clinton, De Witt	Fifty years of my ...	WZ 100	C6413f	1965
  Clinton, De Witt	Past, present and future of ...	WZ 100	C6413p	1973

•  

• 5.3.2. Biography

• Cutter from the name of the biographee. Use an uppercase letter from the author main entry as the workmark. Note: If there is a conflict because that workmark has been used to represent another author main entry, add additional uppercase letters to the workmark until it is unique.

• Example 5.3.2: Biography

  Personal name main entry (100)	Title (245)	Subject added entry	Class	Cutter
  Hosack, David	Story of De Witt Clinton ...	Clinton, De Witt	WZ 100	C6413H
  Burton, Daniel	Wing of madness: the life and work of R.D. Laing		WZ 100	L187BA

•  
• Here the work mark expanded to more than one uppercase letter because there is another biographical work on R.D. Laing written by Robert Boyer that is already cuttered as WZ 100 L187B.
•  
• If the record has a title main entry, use a lowercase letter from the title as the workmark.

• 5.4. Literary works and works about authors of literary works

• If the appropriate LC class number from the P schedule represents the author of a literay work and the item in hand is by that author, then do not add a cutter for the name of the author. Cutter for the title of the work.
•  
• If the appropriate LC class number from the P schedule represents the author of a literary work and the item in hand is about the author, do add a cutter for the main entry of the work to the LC class number.
•  

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6. Special Cuttering Instructions

Use an uppercase workmark for the main entry

Class. Number	Special Instructions
QS 1 -- WZ 1 except W1	Cutter from name of society periodicals
QS 24 - WW 24	Cutter from name of agency
QS 524	Cutter from name of bank
QS 28 -- QT 28	Cutter from name of the museum, hospital, etc.
QV 28 -- WB 28	Cutter from name of the museum, hospital, etc.
WE 28 -- WU 28	Cutter from name of the museum, hospital, etc.
WX 28, WZ 28	Cutter from name of the museum, hospital, etc.
QV 701	Cutter from name of society
QW 501	Cutter from name of society
QW 524	Cutter from name of agency
W 20.9	Cutter from name of fraternity
W 601	Cutter from name of society
W 624	Cutter from name of agency
W 628	Cutter from name of agency, exhibit, etc.
WO 201	Cutter from name of society
WZ 23	Cutter from name of institute
WZ 100	Cutter from name of biographee
WZ 294	Cutter from work being criticized
WZ 313	Cutter from name of biographee; collective, cutter from main entry

 

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Last Reviewed: January 18, 2024