Which of the following is the call number of the textbook "Cataloguing Manual AACR - II" by R C Sehgal?

Question

Prepp Team · Accepted Answer

Understanding Library Call Numbers and Cataloguing

A call number is a unique identifier assigned to a library item, like a book, that tells you exactly where to find it on the shelves. It acts like an address for the book. Library classification systems, such as the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) or Library of Congress Classification (LCC), are used to assign call numbers. These systems group books on similar subjects together.

The question asks for the call number of the textbook "Cataloguing Manual AACR - II" by R C Sehgal. Let's look at how call numbers are typically constructed, especially in systems like DDC which the numbers suggest.

Components of a Call Number (DDC Example)

A common structure for a call number in many libraries using DDC includes:

Classification Number: This number represents the subject of the book. It is derived from the classification schedules (like DDC tables). For example, 000s are Computer Science, Information & General Works; 100s Philosophy & Psychology, and so on. Libraries often use the full classification number or a Cutter number if necessary for more specific subject grouping.
Author Mark (Book Number): This part helps arrange books with the same classification number alphabetically by the author's last name. It is often derived using an author table (like a Cutter-Sanborn table), typically using the first few letters of the author's last name.
Workmark (Title Mark): This is often the first letter of the main title (excluding initial articles like 'A', 'An', 'The'). It helps distinguish between different books by the same author within the same subject area.
Edition Mark/Copy Number (Optional): May include letters/numbers for specific editions or multiple copies.

Analyzing the Book Details and Call Number Options

The book in question is "Cataloguing Manual AACR - II" by R C Sehgal.

The subject is "Cataloguing Manual AACR - II", which falls under Library and Information Science. The classification number provided in the options, 025.32, specifically relates to Cataloguing and descriptive cataloguing within the DDC system (020s are Library & Information Science, 025 Operations, 025.3 Cataloguing). This number seems appropriate for the subject.

The author is R C Sehgal. Based on standard library practices, the author mark would likely be derived from the last name, "Sehgal". A common method uses the first few letters, like "SEH".

The title is "Cataloguing Manual AACR - II". The main title starts with "Cataloguing". The first significant letter is 'C'. However, libraries often use the first letter of the *entire* main title, or sometimes a specific letter if the title is very long or generic. Looking at the options, the letter 'T' appears in one, which could represent "Textbook" or "Title" or even the first letter of "The" if the title was "The Cataloguing Manual...". In the context of the provided options, 'T' most likely acts as a workmark or additional identifier.

Evaluating the Options

Let's examine each option based on typical call number structure:

Option	Structure	Analysis
025.32 T	Classification + Workmark?	Has the classification number and a title/work mark ('T'). Missing the author mark ('SEH'). Typically, the author mark follows the classification number before the title mark.
025.32 SEH	Classification + Author Mark	Has the classification number and the author mark ('SEH'). Missing the title/work mark ('T').
025.32 RLS	Classification + Author Initials?	Has the classification number. The author mark is 'RLS', which are the initials of the author's first, middle, and last names (R C Sehgal). Author marks are almost always based on the last name for alphabetical shelving within a subject. This is not a standard format for author marks like those derived from Cutter tables.
025.32 SEH T	Classification + Author Mark + Workmark	Has the classification number (025.32), the author mark derived from the last name (SEH from Sehgal), and a workmark or title identifier (T). This structure (Classification + Author + Workmark) is a standard pattern in many libraries using DDC and author tables. The 'T' could represent 'Textbook' or be the first letter of the title if the library uses a specific rule or if the title started with "The". Given the other options, this format is the most complete and structurally correct based on common library practices for creating unique call numbers for specific books by a particular author within a subject.

Based on this analysis, the call number that follows a standard library practice combining the subject classification, author mark, and a distinguishing title/workmark is 025.32 SEH T.

Revision Table: Key Call Number Concepts

Term	Meaning	Purpose
Call Number	Address of a book on the shelf	Organizes library materials, helps locate specific items
Classification Number	Represents the subject	Groups books on the same topic together
Author Mark (Book Number)	Represents the author (usually last name)	Arranges books with the same subject by author alphabetically
Workmark (Title Mark)	Represents the title (usually first letter)	Distinguishes different books by the same author on the same subject

Additional Information on Library Cataloguing and Call Numbers

Library cataloguing involves creating records for library materials to make them searchable and discoverable. This includes descriptive cataloguing (like creating the bibliographic description using rules like AACR - II, which stands for Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, Second Edition) and subject cataloguing (assigning subject headings and classification numbers).

Call numbers are a direct result of the subject cataloguing process, combined with information from descriptive cataloguing (author, title). The specific format of the author mark and workmark can vary slightly between libraries depending on the specific tables or rules they follow, but the underlying principle of arranging books by subject, then author, then title remains consistent for easy retrieval.