Shelf classification scheme (RVK)
Shelf classification scheme in the Subject Libraries
The books in all the LMU Munich Subject Libraries are classified by subject. Most libraries use the Regensburg Network Classification Scheme (RVK). This system helps you to find books on the shelves by bringing together in one location all the titles related to a particular subject.
Structure of the RVK
The basic structure of the RVK reflects the subjects normally studied at a university. These are represented by capital letters. For example the letter "D" stands for Education and the letter "U" for Physics. The individual subjects are further subdivided using additional letter and number sequences.
RVK call number
The RVK is used to create the call numbers you will find on the books in most of the Subject Libraries.
The following example explains the components of a typical call number:
- Title: Julian Nida-Rümelin, Elif Özmen: Philosophie der Gegenwart in Einzeldarstellungen. 3rd edition 2007.
- Call number: CB 3700 N664(3)
The call number of the example reflects the content of the book as follows:
| Call number component | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| C | Main subject group | Philosophy |
| CB | Subject group subdivision | General |
| CB 3700 | Subcategory | Philosophical reference works and specialists dictionaries |
| N664 | Code for author's name | Nida-Rümelin, Julian |
| (3) | Edition | 3rd edition |
About the RVK
The RVK was developed in the 1960s as a classification scheme for the subject cataloguing of books and journals in the newly founded Regensburg University Library. Over the last few decades many academic libraries have changed over to the RVK from their previous classification schemes, establishing the RVK as a standard within Bavaria and a large number of other German-speaking areas.
For more information on the structure of the classification scheme and for a general subject overview please see the website RVK-Online.
