Understanding SuDoc Classification Numbers

The Superintendent of Documents uses an alpha/numeric classification system which assigns a SuDoc number to each publication.  This system classifies each document by an institutional author (Congress or a government department, agency or commission), not by subject. A SuDoc number is composed of two major parts divided by the colon: the stem, which identifies the government department or agency (the author) that issued the publication and after the colon a book number which is specific to that document.

The following example for SuDoc number I 29.9/5: 156 illustrates this system.

SuDoc numbers beginning with the letters A - T identify the executive department or agency that  published the document. Therefore, A is for Agriculture, S is for the State Department. etc. The letters X and Y, however, identify documents pertaining to Congress, such as hearings and reports.  An example is Y 4.J 89/2 : F/31/6.

Quick Tips:

• The dot (.) is a period, not a decimal.
• All numbers are whole numbers, not decimals (.9 comes before .12)
• Letters come before numbers
• Nothing comes before something (for ex. AE 1.102 : G 28 precedes AE 1.102 : G 28/2/Trans.7)          

Ask a reference librarian:

The size of the collection combined with the shelving available on the C floor has caused some filing irregularities.  If you cannot find a document, please  ask a reference librarian for assistance.

Tutorials:

For the curious student who wishes to learns even more about SuDoc numbers.

Learning SuDoc Call Numbers: An interactive tutorial designed by Becky Fox at Michigan State University.

GODORT: Gov Docs Online Tutorial: A Government Documents Tutorial

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