What is a SuDoc number?
SuDoc numbers are call numbers for Government Documents. This is a call number assigned to each document distributed through the FDLP. They tend to be universal, meaning that all libraries having a particular document will most likely shelve the document under the same SuDoc number. An important fact to remember when working with the SuDoc Classification Scheme is that it is department and agency driven and not subject driven like the Library of Congress Classification Scheme. Every time a new president takes office, sweeping legislation is passed in Congress, or a national crisis happens (such as 9/11), there is potential for an extensive rearrangement of departments, agencies and bureaus throughout all branches (particularly the Executive Branch) of the federal government. These changes usually result in changes to the SuDoc Classification Scheme.
