SUPERINTENDENT OF DOCUMENTS CLASSIFICATION SCHEME
SUPERINTENDENT OF DOCUMENTS CLASSIFICATION SCHEME
Although some libraries integrate all of their government documents into their regular collections, using the Dewey or Library of Congress classifications, most arrange their documents using the Superintendent of Documents (SuDocs) classification numbers.
Unlike the other classification methods, the SuDocs system is based not on the subject of the work but on its source--the agency which issued it. Titles near each other on the shelf will be published by the same agency, not about the same topic.
A look at the SuDocs number will tell you the issuing agency, what type of publication, and the individual number of the document. Every SuDocs number begins with one or more letters to designate the sponsoring agency.
If sub-agencies or departments issue documents, they may be identified by number.A AgricultureLC Library of Congress
NAS NASA
The series designation (which follows the period) identifies the general type of document.A 1. Agriculture DepartmentA 13. Forestry Service
A 57. Soil Conservation Service
These categories may be further subdivided with slashes (\) or dashes (-)..1 annual reports.2 general publications
.3 bulletins
.4 circulars
.5 laws
.6 regulations, rules, instructions
.7 press releases
.8 handbooks, manuals, guides
.9 bibliographies
.10 directories
.11 maps and charts
.12 posters
.13 forms
.14 addresses, lectures, etc.
The agency and type of publication combine to make up the class stem (to the left of the colon). The addition of an individual item number (to the right of the colon) gives each publication a unique SuDocs number. Every SuDocs number contains a colon.
A 1.10:948 Agriculture Yearbook, 1948 edition
A 1.10:996 Agriculture Yearbook, 1996 editio
A 1.35:381 Original edition
Taken from: Robinson, Judith. (1993). Tapping the government grapevine. 2nd ed. Phoenix, AZ: Oryx.A 1.35:381/2 Revised edition