Call Numbers
| Books are organized and grouped on the shelves by subject according to the Library of Congress classification system. Call numbers provide a unique "address" that tell you where a book is shelved in the library. | |||||||||||||||
| How to Get a Call Number | |||||||||||||||
| Locate a book by searching in the Library Catalog. View the record page for a book to get the needed information. Focus on the fields for Library & Location, Call Number and Status | |||||||||||||||
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In the library catalog the call number is given horizontally:
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OVERSIZE PS3409 .L43 W3 1971 |
On the spine of the book the call number is given vertically: |
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| Each library has floor plan maps showing the locations of call numbers for Circulating Books. | |||||||||||||||
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Doyle Library
(Santa Rosa) |
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Mahoney (Petaluma)
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You do not have to understand the meaning of call numbers. Just remember to always WRITE DOWN THE LIBRARY & LOCATION AND THE COMPLETE CALL NUMBER. |
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| How to Read Call Numbers | |||||||||||||||
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Read Library of Congress call numbers one line at a time.These books would be shelved in the following order:
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| IMPORTANT: For some LOCATIONS in the library a location indicator will appear above the first line of the call number to indicate which collection in the library, for example ref, reserve, oversize, etc.. | |||||||||||||||
| 1. First Look at Line 1: | |||||||||||||||
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Books are arranged on the shelf in alphabetical order, by the letter(s) on the first line of the call number. The first line represents the subject area and can be a single letter, double letter or three letters. Example: First come all the D call numbers, then all the DA call numbers, then DB, etc. |
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| 2. Next, look at Line 2: | |||||||||||||||
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After matching the correct letters on the first line read the second line. The second line is always a number from 1 to 9999 and may include decimals. The numbers are arranged in numerical order, from low to high. Example: On the second line 36.3 comes before 36.78 |
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| 3. Then look at Line 3: | |||||||||||||||
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When the first two lines are identical, read the third line. The third line is the trickiest part of the call number. Line 3 has a letter and a number. The letters are filed in alphabetical order. Then the numbers that follow are filed in ascending decimal order. This means that .R49 is smaller than .R5 and would appear first on the shelf. Example: On the third line .A55 is read as A .55 - this is why .A55 comes before .A6 |
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| 4. The Final Lines: | |||||||||||||||
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The final line(s) may be an alphanumeric combination, publication date or a volume indicator. These lines are read alphabetically then numerically. |
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| Call Number Practice Which is the correct order of the following sets of call numbers? |
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For practice, put these in the order in which you would find them in the library.
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If you still can't find what you want, ask for assistance at the Reference Desk. |
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