GPC Library Technical Services

Local Procedures for Monographic Classification

Graphic Novels & Comic Strips

Graphic novels and comic strips are classed by the region or country of their creation (not publication) then double-cuttered by main entry (usually author, then title) according to LCC policy for the PN6725-PN6778 range.

Example:
Bone / by Jeff Smith.
PN6727.S546 B66

PN6790 is for regions or countries lacking their own class numbers (basically anything non-Western), so the cuttering is handled using the following expansion table.

.x (plus 2nd cutter for main entry)
books about graphic novel or comic strip or histories of comics and graphic novels
.x2 (plus 2nd cutter for main entry)
collections of graphic novels or comic strips including several authors/titles
.x3 (plus 2nd cutter to sub-arrange by author)
individual graphic novels or comic strips, author main entry
.x4 (plus 2nd cutter to sub-arrange by title)
individual graphic novels or comic strips, title main entry
Example:
Negima / Ken Akamatsu.
PN6790.J33 A38

All receive one of the following genre headings:

655	_0	‡a Graphic novels.
or
655	_0	‡a Comic books, strips, etc.

(Excerpted from LC authorities: "A graphic novel is "an original book-length story, either fiction or nonfiction, published in comic book style or a collection of stories that have been published previously as individual comic books." "All graphic novels are comic books, but not all comic books are graphic novels.")

And any appropriate topical headings with the form subdivision of “Comic books, strips, etc.”:

650	_0	‡a Batman (Fictitious character) ‡v Comic books, strips, etc.
650	_0	‡a Samurai ‡v Comic books, strips, etc.
651	_0	‡a Japan ‡x History ‡y Tokugawa period, 1600-1868 ‡v Comic books, strips, etc.

The Art of Cartooning

Instructional or critical works about manga, anime, cartoon animals, cartoon anatomy, etc. are classed according to LCC policy for the following range:

NC1764-NC1764.8

All receive subject headings appropriate to the topic.

Example:

245	10	‡a How to draw manga. ‡p Bodies & anatomy : human body drawings for creating characters / ‡c [by the Society for the Study of Manga Techniques].
650	_0	‡a Comic books, strips, etc. ‡z Japan ‡x Technique.
650	_0	‡a Comic books, strips, etc. ‡x Technique.
650	_0	‡a Figure drawing ‡x Technique.