LMED 316

Book numbers/Cutter numbers overview

A book number, also called a cutter number and sometimes called a shelf mark, provides a unique call number
for each item and an even more specific and exact shelving location than just the classification number. It is
added to the classification number. The use of book numbers is optional and will be determined by library
policy. They are not often used in school libraries but are common in larger public libraries and all academic
libraries. Book numbers are taken
741
from the first word of the Main Entry Heading. That is, from the authors last name or the
.E66
first word of the title. This is the Dewey and cutter number for a book by Erdman on drawing.
The most commonly used system of book numbers was devised by Charles Cutter and later revised by Kate
Sanborn. The Library of Congress has its own cutter number tables.
Cutter numbers equate surnames and words with alphanumeric sequences.
As with Dewey numbers the cutter number is created using a standard system. And also as with Dewey cutter
numbers are created for a specific library collection so that books are easily located IN THAT LIBRARY,
Four types of book number standard tables.:
Cutter Two-figure Table; Cutter Three figure Table; Cutter-Sanborn Table (with a later revision); LC cutter tables
(used only with Library of Congress Classification).
The rules for using each form of cutter numbers are slightly different. In each case choose the first letter and
corresponding nearest number. When words fall between two cutter numbers choose the number above.
Using the Cutter Two Figure Table the cutter number for Donner would be D71: for Folger would be F71.
Using the Cutter-Sanborn Revised the number for Nancy Drake would be D762
Cutter Two Figure Table
Doll
69
Foh
Dom
71
Folg
Doo
72
Foll

Cutter-Sanborn Table
Donk
684
Donn
685
Donner
686

Cutter Three Figure Table

Donk
718
Donnet
719
Doo
72

Cutter-Sanborn Revised
Drak
761
Drake M
762
Drake S
763
Dran
764

Fonti
Fontr
Foo

Workmark (or work letter or book letter), provides further expansion of the Cutter number for prolific authors. It
is the first letter of the first key word in the title. It is placed after the cutter number.
Henry Jamess book Wings of the Dove J233w (J233 for James; w for wings). Additional letters can be added for
more works with same first letter by same author (J233wa) to keep the books in correct shelving order.
Cutter/book numbers are written and shelved as decimal numbers. .H83

.H874

In MARC field 082 or 092 the cutter or book number is recorded in subfield b (as the item number).
Online Cutter Sanborn Revised table:
http://www.davignon.qc.ca/cutter1.html