The Black Death

In processing The Black Death (from the "Pivotal Moments in History" series) by Diane Zahler (082259076X) for MVHS, I noticed that there is a mix of call numbers currently being used for The Black Death. Understandably, books may differ in emphasis from more scientific to more historical. Nonetheless, I figured it's a good topic to look into. Here are the numbers that are currently being used:

• 362.1969 = 362 Social welfare problems and services + .1 Physical illness + .19 Services to patients with specific conditions + .196 Specific conditions + .1969 Other diseases
• 614.45732 = 614.4 Incidence of and public measures to prevent specific diseases and kinds + .45 = Patient isolation + ?
• 614.4/9/4 = 614.4 Incidence of and public measures to prevent specific diseases and kinds + .49 History of epidemics + 614.494 Europe
• 614.5/732 = 614.5 Incidence and public measures to prevent specific disease and kinds of diseases + 614.57 Bacterial diseases + .573 Bacterial diseases + .923 Pasteurella infections, yersinia infections, chlamydia infections, tularemia + .5732 Plague
• 616.9232 = 616 Diseases + .9 Other Diseases + .92 Bacterial diseases + .923 Pasteurella infections, yersinia infections, chlamydia infections, tularemia + .9232 Plague
• 940.14 = 940 History of Europe + .1 Early history to 1453 + .14 Age of feudalism, 800-1099
• 940.1/92 = 940 History of Europe + .1 Early history to 1453 + .19 1300-1453 + .192 1300-1399 (Including period of Black Death)
• 942.038 = 942 England and Wales + .03 Period of House of Plantagenet, 1154-1399 + .038 Reign of Richard II, 1377-1399

Yet again, every book may have a specific slant that explains placement in one number over another. It just seems like many of them may have enough in common to be grouped more closely together. 940.192 makes a lot of sense for a historical number since it specifically includes the period of Black Death. These other numbers also seem very valid: 614.494 614.5732, and 616.9262! I think any of these 4 could be good matches and so I guess I'll stick to the recommended number for the book: 614.5732. This may be a good area for people to check in their own collections, though.

Sexual Orientation

When processing the book Outing Yourself: How to Come Out as Lesbian or Gay to Your Family, Friends, and Coworkers by Michelangelo Signorile (0684826178), the recommended number was 305.90664. This, however, is an old number. The correct number to use is now 306.76 for "Sexual orientation." This includes men by sexual orientation (formerly 305.38966), women by sexual orientation (formerly 305.48966), and persons by sexual orientation (formerly 305.9066). See the DDC book for how 306.76 is further broken down. Check your 305s for outdated numbers.

Going Green

In processing some "green" books for West Hills, I noticed that there are many different numbers being used for this topic. I understand that there may be differences depending on the particular focus of the book, but it seems like there is too much variation and that it may be better to group the books more closely. Here are the numbers being used:

• 304.2 = 304 Factors affecting social behavior + .2 Human ecology
• 320.58 = 320 Political science + .5 Political ideologies + Environmentalist political ideologies
• 333.7052 = 333 Economics of land and energy + 7 Land, recreational and wilderness areas, energy + ?
• 333.72 = 333 Economics of land and energy + 7 Land, recreational and wilderness areas, energy + .72 Conservation and protection, class here environmentalism
• 333.7315 = 333 Economics of land and energy + 7 Land, recreational and wilderness areas, energy + .73 Land + .7315 Development
• 363.70525 = 363 Other social problems and services + .7 Environmental problems + 05 Social action +25 Action within established social framework
• 363.738 = 363 Other social problems and services + .7 Environmental problems + .73 Pollution + .738 Pollutants
• 613.5 = 613 Personal health and safety + .5 Artificial environments
• 621.042 = 621 Applied physics + .042 Energy engineering
• 640/.73 = Home and family management + .73 Evaluation and purchasing guides

The most popular numbers currently in use in our system are 333.72 and 640. After looking more closely at these books with Pam, we decided that a 333 number is best for books that deal with "green" books that deal with energy issues like solar energy. But, 640.73 is best for books that are about proactive ways to live green, what to buy, etc.