Call Numbers |
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Each book in the
library has a unique call number. A call number is like an address—it
tells us where the book is located in the library. Call numbers
appear on the spines of books and in the online catalog. |
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Note that the same call number can be written from
top to bottom, or left to right.
The OCC Library,
like many academic libraries in the U.S., uses
Library of Congress Classification
for call numbers. This system uses a combination of letters and
numbers to arrange materials by subject.
Reading Call
Numbers |
LB
2395
.C65
1991 |
Read the first line in alphabetical
order (A, B, BF, C....L, LA...) |
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Read the second line as a whole number
(1, 2, 3...100, 105...) |
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Read the third line letter
alphabetically and the number as a decimal. (.C65=.65 , .C724=.724)
Note: Some call numbers have more than one letter number
combination line. |
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The fourth line is the year the book was
published. Read this line in chronological order. (1906, 1991,
2004...) |
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Putting Call
Numbers in Shelf Order To understand how
call numbers are put in order in Library of Congress Classification,
again look at each section of the call number. |
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What Does the Call
Number Mean?
Remember that
Library of Congress Classification arranges materials by subject. The
first sections of the call number represent the subject of the book.
The letter-and-decimal section of the call number often represents the
author's last name. As you probably recall, the last section of a call
number is often the date of publication. For example:
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Title
What You Need to Know about Developing Study Skills, Taking Notes
and Tests, Using Dictionaries and Libraries
Author Coman, Martha J.
Call Number LB 2395 .C65 1991 |
LB
2395 |
The first
two lines of the call number describe the subject of the book.
LB 2395=Methods of study in higher education |
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.C65 |
The third
line often represents the authors last name. .C65=Coman |
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1991 |
The fourth
line represents the year of publication. |
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Why is this
important to know?
Since books are classified by subject, you can often find several
helpful books on the same shelf, or nearby.
For example, within
the same call number LB 2395,the call number that represents methods
of study in higher education, there are other guides for college
study.
Since Library of
Congress Classification arranges materials by subject, knowing the
letter(s) for your subject area gives you a place to start browsing
the shelves. |
