Understanding College Libraries and Cataloguing

I'm kinda geeky about libraries and was doing some digging into how college libraries manage their resources. I learned that there's a specific system used by most college libraries for cataloguing their resources. Can anyone share more about this system? Like how it works, and why it's preferred by college libraries?

College libraries predominantly use a system known as the Library of Congress Classification (LCC) for cataloging their resources. It's quite an extensive and granular system that is favored by many institutions due to its precise nature.

The LCC method sorts resources into 21 broad areas of knowledge. Each area is represented by a single letter, A through Z (omitting I, O, W, X, and Y). Each area is then divided into numerous subcategories, distinguished by a second letter. For instance, 'P' is used for language and literature, 'PR' for English literature, and 'PR6053' for works by authors whose names start with 'G.'

The main advantage of this system is its ability to accommodate the constant growth and evolution of library materials. It's designed to expand continuously and can incorporate new classes and sub-classes of knowledge as they emerge.

For instance, QR codes or website URLs can be cataloged under a specific subclass in the 'Z' category for information resources. This adaptability is particularly important in college libraries, which frequently update their collections with new academic and scientific innovations.

Moreover, the LCC system is helpful when libraries want to participate in inter-library loan programs or share cataloging resources, ensuring consistency and compatibility across different institutions.

Like any system, it has its downsides. The LCC is intricate and sometimes overly complex, especially for those unfamiliar with it. Despite this, many believe its benefits, primarily its exhaustive range and adaptability to new knowledge areas, make it well-suited to the diverse, changing needs of a college library.