Understanding Library of Congress Call Numbers
After reading this sheet, try the call
number practice at the end.
A call number is the address of a book or a periodical (magazine or journal) in the library. Our
library uses the Library of Congress call number system for arranging most of our materials. In our library
- Books with call numbers that begin with A-M are shelved on the south side of the second floor
(to the left off the main stairs).
- Books with call numbers that begin with N-Z are shelved on the south side of the third floor
(to the left off the main stairs).
- Periodicals are shelved on the north side of the second floor (to the right off the main stairs).
- The Reference Collection, on the main floor, also uses Library of Congress call numbers.
Library of Congress call numbers are related to the main subject of a book or periodical. You may
use the Library of Congress Classification to browse by subject. Here are some
samples:
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| a book about Jungian psychology |
a book about school social work |
a book about Picasso's painting |
a book about Mark Twain |
a book about mineralogy |
a book about the Internet |
How to read a call number
- The first line of a call number may begin with one, two, or
three letters. Read these letters alphabetically. A call
number that begins with A is shelved before one that begins with
B, C, etc.; a call number that begins with QE is
located before one that starts with QL.
- The second line of a call number is a number
that may have one or more digits. Read this line numerically.
- The third line is the trickiest part of the call number: The
letters are shelved alphabetically, and the numbers following the
letters are treated as if they were preceded by a decimal.. Thus:
This makes sense if you read the numbers as decimals!
- The final lines of the call numbers may include dates, volume or issue numbers, copy
numbers, and other annotations, such as "supplement". Read these annotations after the rest of the
call number.
Call Number Practice
Try this exercise*
to see how well you understand call numbers. (*This link only works with
Internet Explorer.)
If you have trouble finding an item by its call number, please ask for help from a library
employee. We'll be glad to help.