Q. How do I find materials in a particular subject area?

The Christendom Libraries use the Library of Congress Classification System to catalog and organize our books. Titles in a given subject area are shelved together in various Call Number Classes (B, D, H, P, etc.). Each main class is then broken down into subclasses (BF, BR, BT, BX), and further specified by adding numbers after the letters (BX880, BX2250.2, BX4700). The tables below give the main class areas (A-Z) and a more detailed breakdown for many of the major subject areas.

Both the Circulating and Reference Collections use the same classification scheme, and thus you will find titles in both areas under the same call number classes. If you find a reference book on your topic, you can look under the same call number class in the circulating collection for titles on the same subject (and often a second copy of the same title).

To search through this page to find specific subjects or keywords, press CRTL-F (Command-F on a Mac). Then type the word and press Enter. You can also browse through the list to find the subject area of interest. If you need additional help, ask a library worker, or contact us using the Ask or Chat buttons located on the sides of these web pages.

Library of Congress Classification System

A Brief Summary

The table below details the general Call Number Class structure of the Library of Congress Classification System.  Each Call Number Class covers a specific area of scholarship, as indicated.  The detailed summary following the table breaks down each class to show where specific topics within each class are cataloged.  Using this guide, it is possible to go directly to the shelves to browse an area for books within that topic.

Library of Congress Classification System: Detailed Summary