Call Numbers

A call number is the address of a book on the shelf.  Use the library online catalog to find the call number (location) of any item in the library.  The call number is listed at the bottom of the catalog record; it is also found on a label attached to the spine of the book (or elsewhere on the item). 

Library of Congress Call Numbers:

Library of Congress call numbers use the Library of Congress Classification system to arrange books and other items by subject.  This means that when you find the book you are looking for, other books on the same subject will be close by.

In our library, the reference and main collection are cataloged using Library of Congress Classification.

Reference books are located on the 3rd floor of the library. The main collection is located on the 1st and 2nd floor of the library. Books with Call numbers A - NX are located on the 2nd floor in the main collection. Books with Call numbers P - ZA are located on the 1st floor in the main collection.

For example:

Reference

Ref
GV 731
.B56
1998

The reference collection has call letters all beginning with "Ref". Books with "Ref" at the beginning of the call number are not able to be checked out of the library.

GV identifies this book under the subject of recreation or leisure. 731 identifies the book as one pertaining to sports. .B56 is a unique identifier added to the book and 1998 is the year the book was published.

To find this book you would start at the reference collection located on the 3rd floor of the library. Locate the section with call letters beginning with "G" and find the book with GV 731 followed by .B56.

Main Collection
HB
171
.K37
1996

This book would be located in the main collection on the 2nd floor of the library.

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