U.S. Geological Survey Library classification system

The U.S. Geological Survey Library classification system has been designed for earth science libraries. It is a tool for assigning call numbers to earth science and allied pure science materials in order to collect these materials into related subject groups on the library shelves and arrange them alphabetically by author and title. The classification can be used as a retrieval system to access materials through the subject and geographic numbers.

The classification scheme has been developed over the years since 1904 to meet the ever-changing needs of increased specialization and the development of new areas of research in the earth sciences. The system contains seven schedules:

• Subject schedule
• Geological survey schedule
• Earth science periodical schedule
• Government document periodical schedule
• General science periodical schedule
• Earth science map schedule
• Geographic schedule

Introduction provides detailed instructions on the construction of call numbers for works falling into the framework of the classification schedules.

The tables following the introduction can be quickly accessed through the use of the newly expanded subject index.

The purpose of this publication is to provide the earth science community with a classification and retrieval system for earth science materials, to offer sufficient explanation of its structure and use, and to enable library staff and clientele to classify or access research materials in a library collection.