Call Number Placement in CCC Main Entry

In the Colon Classification (CCC) system, specifically Edition 5 (Ed. 5) developed by S.R. Ranganathan, the main entry is a comprehensive bibliographic record that provides essential information about a document. This main entry is systematically divided into several distinct sections, each serving a specific purpose in cataloging.

The question asks about the location of the Call Number within this main entry. According to the rules of CCC (Ed. 5), the Call Number is prominently displayed at the beginning of the main entry, specifically in the Leading Section.

Understanding the Main Entry Sections in CCC (Ed. 5)

The main entry in CCC (Ed. 5) is structured into the following distinct sections, each with a specific function:

• Leading Section: This is the very first section of the main entry. Its primary purpose is to display the Call Number of the document. The Call Number is a unique identifier comprising the Class Number and Book Number, crucial for indicating the document's subject and facilitating its physical location on the shelves.
• Heading Section: Following the Leading Section, this section contains the main heading for the entry. This typically includes the author's name (personal or corporate) responsible for the work.
• Title Section: This section provides the full title of the document, including any subtitles, alternative titles, or edition statements.
• Note Section: The Note Section is used for any supplementary information about the document that does not fit into other specific sections. This can include details like series notes, bibliographic history, or any special features of the document.
• Accession Number Section: This section records the unique identification number assigned to the document when it is physically added to the library's collection.
• Tracing Section: Located at the end of the main entry, the Tracing Section lists all the other entries (known as added entries) under which the document can be found in the catalog. This helps catalogers create a comprehensive catalog and ensures all relevant access points are covered, such as subject entries, series entries, or co-author entries.

Therefore, when cataloging a document using CCC (Ed. 5), the Call Number is consistently placed at the beginning of the main entry, within the Leading Section, to facilitate easy identification and retrieval by library users and staff.