@elcaminolibrary
We are ready to answer your questions on library use, tutoring, Canvas, tech borrowing, and being an online student.
Monday - Thursday
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Friday
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p .m.
Saturday (Tutoring Center Only)
10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Closed Sundays
El Camino College Librarians are available to provide you caring support to successfully navigate library collections, services, class research assignments, and to help you develop you information & digital literacy skills. Librarians can be found in-person in the Research Center, and online via chat, during all hours we are open.
The purpose of classification systems is to intentionally categorize and organize materials so that the user can see items in a particular context. There are many library classification systems.The two most often used are the Library of Congress Classification system and the Dewey Decimal system, aka LC and Dewey.
The Library of Congress classification system uses 21 alpha-numeric categories, or a combination of letters and numbers, to group like-subject materials together. You may be more familiar with the older Dewey Decimal system uses 10 number-only based categories to group subjects together.
So we can see that the LC system allows for finer subdivisions and gradations in cataloging - which is one reason that it is preferred by most academic libraries with their larger collections. Though it may be tough to make the switch from the Dewy system you encountered in public libraries and schools, it is worth your while to learn the LC system to pave the way for a smooth transition to the academic library realm, especially if you are thinking of transferring to a university later.
