Classification RVK

The Regensburger Verbundklassifikation (RVK) is a library classification system widely used in the German-speaking world, according to which the library catalogues its media and makes most of them freely accessible. The RVK comprises 33 main subject areas, each of which is generally assigned to a letter of the alphabet, for example theology and religious studies to the letter B, history to the letter N or economics to the letter Q. By adding a second letter of the alphabet, all main areas of knowledge are roughly divided into several sub-areas, for example BD stands for Jewish Studies or NW for Social and Economic History. The sub-areas of a main field of knowledge are subdivided into many subject areas by adding a multi-digit number code. The combination of two letters with the number code results in the notation component of the shelfmark.

Example of a notation:

Notation component - meaning
N- History
NW - Social and economic history
NW 8150 - History of children, the family

The use of the RVK as a classification system means that items with related content can be found in one place on the shelf in the library.

The classification helps to find information on the content organisation of a subject area or subject field. It is therefore possible to use RVK-Online to determine the corresponding notation for a desired subject in order to then use it for a search with the search key "Regensburg Union Classification" in the online catalogue. The notation of a publication is listed in the full display of a title (subject areas). By clicking on this link, an overview of all hits with this notation is created, which contains thematically corresponding literature.