Overview

National Diet Library Classification

The National Diet Library Classification (NDLC) is a unique classification system used by the National Diet Library of Japan since 1963, employing a mixed non-decimal classification method combining Roman letters and numbers. It is characterized by its emphasis on social sciences and consists of 16 major categories ranging from politics, law, and administration to science and technology, and serial publications. Designed for the efficient management and organization of vast collections gathered from both domestic and international sources, it serves as a fundamental classification system for Japan's national library system.

library classification National Diet Library bibliography collection management

code	slug	name	description
A	politics-law-administration	Politics, Law, Administration	Classification for materials on political science, law, and public administration.
B	parliamentary-publications	Parliamentary Publications	Classification for official records and materials of the National Diet and foreign parliaments.
C	legal-materials	Legal Materials	Classification for materials on laws, government ordinances, and ministerial regulations.
D	economics-industries	Economics, Industries	Classification for materials on economics, industry, commerce, and finance.
E	social-affairs-labor	Social Affairs, Labor	Classification for materials on social issues, social welfare, and labor issues.
F	education	Education	Classification for materials on pedagogy, school education, and social education.
G	history-geography	History, Geography	Classification for materials on history, geography, topography, and biography.
H	philosophy-religion	Philosophy, Religion	Classification for materials on philosophy, ethics, and religious studies.
K	arts-language-literature	Arts, Language, Literature	Classification for materials on fine arts, music, theater, linguistics, and literature.
M-S	science-technology	Science and Technology	Classification for materials on natural sciences, engineering, medicine, and agriculture.
U	general-learning-journalism-libraries-bibliographies	General Learning, Journalism, Libraries, Bibliographies	Classification for materials on academic research, journalism, library science, and bibliography.
V	special-collections	Special Collections	Classification for special collections gathered by specific themes or formats.
W	old-rare-books	Old and Rare Books	Classification for classical texts, rare books, and antiquarian materials.
X	kansai-library-materials	Kansai Library Materials	Classification for materials housed at the Kansai Branch of the National Diet Library.
Y	childrens-books-special-materials	Children's Books, Simplified Processing Materials, Textbooks, Special Reading Room Materials, Special Materials	Classification for children's books, textbooks, and materials in special formats.
Z	serial-publications	Serial Publications	Classification for periodically published materials such as magazines, newspapers, and yearbooks.

A library material classification system used by the National Diet Library of Japan.