If both class number and cutter(s) are the same, then the order is determined by the date. If a call number lacks a date, the call number without the date precedes the first call number with a date.
Note that:
- call numbers for serials and classed together monographic series are never assigned dates
- call numbers for classed together multipart monographs are assigned the date of the earliest volume in hand at the time of cataloging (for copy cataloging, use the date supplied in the call number if it is earlier than the date of the earliest volume in hand at the time of cataloging)
- if the main entry is a conference with a date subfield, the call number date should match the date of the conference, not the date of publication (if the conference is not the main entry, the call number should match the date of publication)
- generally follow SCM Shelflisting G140 in relating the call number date to the imprint date. However, follow local practice for capitalization (see 5. Workletters following).
| Date | Call number date |
| 1976? | use 1976 |
| ca. 1976 | use 1976 |
| 1981, c1980 | use 1981 |
| 1971, c1972 | use 1972 |
| 1979 [i.e. 1978] | use 1978 |
| 1962 or 1963 | use 1962 |
| 1969 (1973 printing) | 1969 |
| 1980 printing, c1957 | use 1957 |
| 1979 [distributed 1980] | use 1979 |
| 1979-1981 | use 1979 |
| between 1977 and 1980 | use 1977 |
| 1978/79 [i.e. 1978 or 1979] | use 1978 |
| 1977 (cover 1978) | use 1978 |
| 197-? | use 1970z [if corporate body use 1970] |
| 19-- | use 1900z [if corporate body use 1900] |
| 19--? | use 1900z [if corporate body use 1900] |
- Less common situations where a date is not used:
◦ After the designations Suppl and Index. However, the edition to which the volume is the supplement or call number may have a date, in which case the date of the edition will precede the designation:
.C67 1977
.C67 1977 Suppl.
.C67 1977 Suppl. 2
◦ Loose-leaf materials
◦ Legal publications where the final cutter is selected from a span based on dates