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LLE BLOGS, ARTICLES & REVIEW

Library Science Review Hub

A three-part learning page for LLE review coverage, cataloging and librarianship articles, and practical FAQs or guides for using this app.

Part 1

LLE Review Coverage

Use this section for Librarians Licensure Examination review notes, topic outlines, and exam-focused study planning. The coverage below can guide how much time to spend on each major area.

LLE Review Board Exam Prep Study Roadmap
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Review tip: give more practice time to the 20% areas, then use shorter but regular drills for the 15% and 10% areas so no subject is left cold.

20%

Library Organization and Management

Covers library administration, laws, related practices, and trends.

Reviewer Questions
  • What are the major functions of library management?
  • How do library laws and policies guide daily operations?
  • Which current trends affect library administration?
Open Exam Challenge
20%

Reference, Bibliography, and User Services

Focuses on reference sources, user services, and bibliographic control.

Reviewer Questions
  • What steps are involved in a reference interview?
  • How do bibliographies support research and user services?
  • Which reference source is best for a quick factual query?
Open Exam Challenge
20%

Cataloging and Classification

Tests application of cataloging rules, standards, and subject analysis.

Reviewer Questions
  • What is the purpose of descriptive cataloging?
  • How do DDC, LCC, and subject headings organize materials?
  • When should a Cutter number be added to a call number?
Open Exam Challenge
15%

Selection and Acquisition of Multimedia Sources

Evaluates resource selection, evaluation, and collection management.

Reviewer Questions
  • What criteria should guide selection of multimedia resources?
  • How does acquisition support collection development goals?
  • Why is evaluation important before purchase or licensing?
Open Exam Challenge
15%

Indexing and Abstracting

Measures skills in content analysis, abstracting, and index creation.

Reviewer Questions
  • What is the difference between an index and an abstract?
  • How are descriptors selected during content analysis?
  • What makes an abstract accurate and useful?
Open Exam Challenge
10%

Information Technology

Assesses use of information and communication technologies in libraries.

Reviewer Questions
  • How do integrated library systems support library services?
  • What is the role of metadata in digital libraries?
  • Which ICT tools improve access to information resources?
Open Exam Challenge
Part 2

Articles: Cataloging and Librarianship

Suggest a Topic
Cataloging History Why the Cutter-Sanborn Table Remains Essential for Modern Libraries Learn how author marks support alphabetical shelf order and why the three-figure table still matters in modern cataloging. Open articleClose article

Before classification practices became standardized, locating a particular author within a broad subject category could be slow and inconsistent. Charles Ammi Cutter addressed this problem through systems that combined subject arrangement with concise author marks. Kate E. Sanborn later developed the familiar three-figure table used to translate names into compact alphanumeric identifiers.

Although Cutter's Expansive Classification did not become as widespread as the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) or Library of Congress Classification (LCC), Cutter-style author marks remain useful because they:

  • Support alphabetical organization. Within one classification number, author marks help arrange works by the author's name.
  • Provide room for distinction. Three figures offer more granularity when names begin with similar letter combinations.
  • Work with local call-number systems. Libraries can combine an author mark with a DDC or LCC class number according to local policy.

Digital generators make the lookup faster, but the result should still be checked against the local catalog and shelf list. An established collection may already use a different number to preserve filing order or distinguish similar entries.

References

Cutter, C. A. (1891). Alfabetic-order table: To be used in connection with the expansive classification. Library Bureau.

Sanborn, K. E. (1891). Three-figure tables for author-marks. Library Bureau.

Classification DDC vs. LCC: Which Classification System Should Your Library Use? Compare the structure, typical settings, and practical strengths of the two major classification systems. Open articleClose article

Choosing a classification system is a collection-wide decision. The best option depends on the library's users, collection depth, staffing, cataloging environment, and need to exchange records with partner institutions.

Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC)

DDC organizes knowledge numerically into ten main classes, from 000 through 900. Its decimal notation allows subjects to be expressed with increasing specificity. Public, school, and smaller community libraries often choose DDC because its broad numeric sequence is familiar and approachable for general browsing.

Library of Congress Classification (LCC)

LCC divides subjects among lettered classes and uses alphanumeric notation. It was developed for the Library of Congress and is widely used by academic and research libraries. Its many subject schedules provide substantial room for large, specialized collections.

Neither system is automatically best for every library. A public-facing collection may value DDC's familiar structure, while a research collection may benefit from LCC's subject detail and compatibility with shared academic records. Before changing systems, libraries should also consider conversion costs, staff training, signage, record quality, and disruption to users.

References

Library of Congress. (n.d.). Library of Congress classification outline. https://www.loc.gov/catdir/cpso/lcco/

OCLC. (2011). Dewey decimal classification and relative index (23rd ed.). OCLC.

Technical Services Speeding Up Technical Services: Standalone Web Tools vs. ILS Integration See how focused browser tools can complement an integrated library system without replacing cataloging judgment. Open articleClose article

An integrated library system (ILS), such as Koha, brings circulation, patron management, acquisitions, serials, and cataloging into one central platform. Even so, catalogers often use small standalone tools for narrow, repetitive tasks.

The role of micro-tools

A focused web application can calculate a Cutter-Sanborn suggestion, format a local DDC call number, or prepare spine-label data more quickly than repeated manual entry. Browser-based tools can be especially helpful when processing donations, local materials, or records that require item-specific treatment.

The safest workflow treats these tools as assistants rather than authorities. Staff should verify the result against the bibliographic record, the local shelf list, current standards, and institutional policy before saving it in an ILS. Avoid pasting confidential patron information or restricted data into tools that have not been approved by the institution.

Used carefully, a centralized ILS and lightweight cataloging utilities can work together: the ILS remains the system of record, while the smaller tool reduces repetitive formatting work.

References

Koha Community. (n.d.). Koha manual. https://koha-community.org/manual/

Library of Congress. (1999). MARC 21 format for bibliographic data. https://www.loc.gov/marc/bibliographic/

PART 3 - FAQ AND GUIDES

Cataloging FAQs and Practical Guides

Open any guide below to read it on this page.

Tutorial Step-by-Step Guide: How to Format a Dewey Decimal Call Number Build a readable DDC call number from the location prefix through the publication year. Open guideClose guide

A call number acts as an item's shelf address. Libraries apply different local conventions, but a common DDC label can be constructed in five steps.

  1. Identify the location code. If local policy uses a prefix, add one such as F for Fiction, REF for Reference, or JUV for Juvenile.
  2. Determine the classification number. Use the current DDC schedules or WebDewey to select the number that most specifically represents the work. General mathematics, for example, is classed at 510.
  3. Create the author mark. Use the author's surname to select a Cutter-Sanborn number. “Hawking,” for example, may produce H392, subject to local shelf-list verification.
  4. Add the publication year. A year can distinguish editions when local policy calls for it.
  5. Format the spine label. Stack the elements consistently so staff and users can scan them quickly.
REF
510
H392
2023

Always follow the library's established call-number and labeling policy; prefixes, author marks, dates, and line breaks vary among institutions.

References

Chan, L. M. (2007). Cataloging and classification: An introduction (3rd ed.). Scarecrow Press.

OCLC. (2011). Dewey decimal classification and relative index (23rd ed.). OCLC.

FAQ Frequently Asked Questions: Cataloging and Call Numbers Quick answers about Cutter length, duplicate names, LCC punctuation, and automated generators. Open FAQClose FAQ

Should I use a two-digit or three-digit Cutter number?

Follow local policy and the table adopted by your library. A smaller collection may use shorter marks, while a large collection may need three figures to create enough distinctions.

What if two authors have the same name and subject?

Consult the existing shelf list first. A library may extend the author mark or add a work mark, often based on the title, to keep items in a unique and logical sequence.

Do I need a period before an LCC Cutter number?

In standard LCC call-number practice, the first Cutter is preceded by a period. Follow the applicable LCC schedule and the Library of Congress shelflisting instructions because patterns can vary.

Can I use an automated generator for formal cataloging?

Yes, as a productivity aid. A generated value is a suggestion and may not match an established shelf list. Check it against the local catalog, current standards, and institutional practice before use.

References

Library of Congress. (n.d.). Classification and shelflisting manual. https://www.loc.gov/aba/publications/FreeCSM/freecsm.html

Sanborn, K. E. (1891). Three-figure tables for author-marks. Library Bureau.

Printing Guide The Cataloger's Guide to Clear and Consistent Book Spine Labels Improve readability, placement, durability, and consistency when preparing library labels. Open guideClose guide

A cataloged item can still be difficult to find if its spine label is unclear, damaged, or inconsistently placed. A written local standard helps every staff member produce labels that work together.

  • Use a legible typeface. Choose a clear sans-serif font, test it at the label's actual size, and leave enough white space around the call number.
  • Keep alignment consistent. Use the same alignment and line-break rules across the collection. Left alignment is often easy to scan, but consistency with the existing collection is most important.
  • Use color only as a supplement. Color coding may support local shelving workflows, but it should never be the only way information is communicated.
  • Match materials to use. Select labels, ink or thermal media, and protective covers that suit the expected handling and the book's surface. Test adhesion before a large print run.
  • Standardize placement. Apply labels at one documented height unless the item's construction requires an exception. Avoid covering essential title or volume information.

Before bulk printing, proofread sample labels and confirm the page size, margins, orientation, scaling, and printer settings.

References

Association for Library Collections & Technical Services. (2010). Guide to the care and handling of library materials. American Library Association.

National Information Standards Organization. (2012). Environmental conditions for exhibiting library and archival materials (ANSI/NISO Z39.79-2001 [R2012]). NISO Press.