SuDocs Basics

The SuDocs (Superintendent of Documents) system is straightforward on the surface--A call numbers are publications of the Department of Agriculture, C is Commerce, D is Defense, and so on. This type of system is called a provenance system--it organizes publications based upon issuing agency.

There are exceptions to the straightforward letters, of course: Y 1 call numbers are general publications of Congress--House and Senate Documents and Reports, Y 3 call numbers are independent boards and commissions, and Y 4 call numbers are House and Senate Committee hearings and publications.

This tutorial is not intended to explain the classification system in great detail. It's doubtful that you need to know that much about the system, but just want to be able to find, shelve or file items which are in SuDocs call number order. If you do want to understand more about the construction of the call number and what the numbers mean, there are several places on the Federal Depository Library Program web site where you can learn much more.

• Detailed Explanation of the SuDocs System
• Extremely Detailed Explanation

Focus on the Three Things You Really Need to Know

1. It is not a decimal system. The number after the point is a whole number

2. If the call number is the same to a certain point, then varies, the order is: Years, Letters, Numbers. Until the year 2000, the first number was dropped from years, so those years have 3 digits. Beginning with the year 2000, years will be 4 digits.

3. If the call number stem (the numbers before the colon) has numbers slashed onto the base number, the base number comes first, followed by the slashed numbers in order. The same rule applies to numbers dashed onto other numbers or letters.

You need to keep these basic rules in mind as you now go on to the call number quiz and then to the shelving exercises.

• I think I need to review these rules again.
• OK, I'm ready to take the quiz.