2.14 Call Number Processing

Calls Numbers are determined by a powerful and flexible algorithm. In the Catalog function [Defaults] (also found in Properties as function [Catalog Defaults]), field "Call Numbers Tags for this Catalog" specifies the MARC tag priority for applying a call number value. For a health science library, the typical order is:
  099 Local Unspecified Call Number  
  096 Local NLM Call Number  
  060 National Library of Medicine Call Number  
  090 Local LC Call Number  
  050 Library of Congress Call Number 
  

For a library using LC Classification, the typical order is:

  099 Local Unspecified Call Number  
  090 Local LC Call Number  
  050 Library of Congress Call Number 
  096 Local NLM Call Number  
  060 National Library of Medicine Call Number  
  

For a library on Dewey, the typical order is:

  099 Local Unspecified Call Number  
  092 Local Dewey Decimal Call Number 
  082 Dewey Decimal Call Number 
  

When the Batch Control function [Update Catalog with Batch] is run, the filing software starts with the first tag on the list. If the bib has that tag, then the bib receives that call number. If not, the software goes down the list until a tag from the list is found in the bib.


For example, given this bib in a health science library:

   050 00 $a Z6658 $b .I54 1994 $a R118.6 
   060 ## $a ZWB 100 R784i 1994 
   096 ## $a ZWB 100 I61 1994 
   245 00 $a Introduction to reference sources in the health 
           sciences / $c Fred W. Roper and Jo Anne Boorkman.  
  

Then using the first table of call numbers (099, 096, 060, 090, 050), this bib will have the call number ZWB 100 I61 1994. If 096 were missing, then ZWB 100 R784i 1994 would be the call number.


If the bib is this:

   020 $a 0810828898 
   050 00 $a Z6658 $b .I54 1994 $a R118.6 
   060 ## $a ZWB 100 R784i 1994 
   096 ## $a ZWB 100 I61 1994 
   099 ## INTERNET 
   245 00 $a Introduction to reference sources in the health 
           sciences / $c Fred W. Roper and Jo Anne Boorkman.  
   856 ## $u http://www.rentabook.com/book?0810828898 
 

then the call number would be INTERNET.


When more than one of the same tag exists in a bib, then the last occurrence is used. For example, given:

   050 00 $a Z6658 $b .I54 1994 $a R118.6 
   060 ## $a ZWB 100 R784i 1994 
   096 ## $a ZWB 100 I61 1994 
   096 ## $a ZWB 100 I61i 1994 
   245 00 $a Introduction to reference sources in the health 
          sciences / $c Fred W. Roper and Jo Anne Boorkman.  
  

If 096 is the first matching tag in the priority list, then the call number would be ZWB 100 I61i 1994.


Only the first subfield a is used, but all subsequent subfields b are used. Given:

   050 00 $a Z6658 $b .I54 1994 $a R118.6 
  

then the LC call number would be

   Z6658 .I54 1994 
  

Typically, cutters with decimals do not display the decimal in the OPAC.


Bibs imported from the National Library of Medicine often contain more than two 060 fields, e.g.,

   060 00 $a 1993 A-526 
   060 10 $a QV 770 JC6 $b B474c 1993 
   245 10 $a Chinese herbal medicine : $b materia medica / 
          $c compiled and translated by Dan Bensky and Andrew 
          Gamble, with Ted Kaptchuk ; illustrations adapted by 
          Lilian Lai Bensky.  
  

Notice the first 060. This value would be ignored and the second 060 would be used.


If the call number is three or more X's, then it is not displayed.


If no tags are available, then the call number is ZZZZZ.


Any of the 09X tags may be freely edited. Conversely, 050, 060, and 082 should not be edited (except by those authorities or as actual corrections). When in doubt, give tag 099 the value you want the bib to have.


When holdings are created, an item does not need an individual call number unless there are more than one items for the title and one or more of the items' call number(s) do not match the title's call number. Therefore, if there is only one item, then it never should have a unique call number since the bib should have the correct call number. The item always inherits the bib's call number except when individual items vary from the bib.


If the catalog is in a multiple library configuration, and the catalog does not use the same call number tag priority order as the system default (as determined by function [Properties/System Management/Shared Catalog Management]), then the item automatically copies a call number into item's Call Number field according to its own [Catalog Defaults] field "Call Numbers Tags for this Catalog" list. For example, given a system with a liberal arts library (LC), an engineering library (LC), and a health science library (NLM), then the system default would be:

 
  099 Local Unspecified Call Number  
  090 Local LC Call Number  
  050 Library of Congress Call Number 
  096 Local NLM Call Number  
  060 National Library of Medicine Call Number  
  

while the health science library uses:

  099 Local Unspecified Call Number  
  096 Local NLM Call Number  
  060 National Library of Medicine Call Number  
  090 Local LC Call Number  
  050 Library of Congress Call Number 
  

Therefore, items created in the LC catalogs would typically not have embedded call numbers but would use the call numbers from the bibs, whereas the health science library would automatically have a call number copied to the items.


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