Quick Start Tutorial

Introduction

Welcome to Classification Web, the exciting new CDS product that enables anyone with access to the World Wide Web to browse and search the full text of the Library of Congress Classification (LCC) schedules! This product is powered by a customized classification version of Minaret®, a MARC-record-based database management program developed by the Minaret Corporation. It is the same product that is used by Library of Congress cataloging staff in their daily classification activities.

Classification Web (Class Web for short) offers the following features:

• Access to the most up-to-date version of the LCC database. This database is updated by the Library of Congress weekly - with Class Web you will never be using an outdated version of a classification schedule.
• Browse screens and search screens. Page through a classification schedule or search the schedules by captions, index terms, or even keywords. Do simple searches or complex Boolean searches.
• Enhanced browser that includes a powerful calculator function. Use this feature to combine table and schedule data and display fully calculated numbers together with their corresponding captions.
• Hierarchy browser. Browse schedules at any level of the hierarchy from the most general to the most specific.
• Notes function. Write and save your own notes and hot links at any location in any of the classification schedules.
• Subject Correlations. Find correspondences between subject headings and classification numbers or vice-versa, as reflected in bibliographic records.
• Subject Headings. Search the database of Library of Congress subject authority records.

This tutorial will give you a quick introduction to each of these features so that you can get started exploring Class Web on your own. More detailed descriptions of most features are available at any stage of your Class Web search by clicking Help. This will give you access to an extensive context-sensitive help system.

Maintained by the Cataloging Policy and Support Office