Understanding Call Numbers

This module is an introduction to the Library of Congress call number system.

Welcome to the Student Workers Training Modules

Why have a system?

Because when you have a lot of stuff, you need a way to organize it!!

The LC System

Libraries use classification systems toorganize items on the shelves. The BVU Library, like many academic libraries in the U.S., uses the Library of Congress classification system. The Library of Congress (LC) system uses a combination of letters and numbers to form call numbers.

LB2395.C651991

Why call numbers?

• 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.

• Books written about the same subject have similar call numbers, which groups them together on the shelf, making it easier to browse the library's holdings on a specific topic.

• Without call numbers, finding a book would be like finding a needle in a haystack.

Where do call numbers appear?

• Call numbers appear on the spines of books (in several lines)

• And in the library catalog (on a single line)

Dissecting Call Numbers

• Read call numbers line by line.

• The first line of the call number contains one, two, or occasionally three letters.

• Read the first line in alphabetical order. When books have more than one letter, the single lettered books are first on the shelf (to the left), followed by those with double letters. (Examples on next page)

LB2395.C651991

L2395.C651991

In Correct Order

BA316.P81963

BF30.A56

K1401.B792003

KFI4554.I6E62000

KF48.U51994

LB5.N25

Dissecting Call Numbers

• Read the second line as a whole number. If the number contains a period with trailing digits (like 678.9 and 678.93), read it like you would a decimal number (think of money!)

• If the letters on the first line of the call number are the same, the book with the smaller number on the second line is shelved to the left of the book with the larger number.

LB2395.C651991

(Examples on next page)

In Correct Order

QA70.5.B381997

QA76.S91987Guide

QA76.159.E781975

QA76.2.K73M312003

QA76.16.C82

QA76.273.H291996

Dissecting Call Numbers

• The third line is a combination of a letter and numbers. Books are shelved alphabetically according to the letter after the decimal point. Read the number as a decimal.

• If two books share the same letter after the decimal, the book with the smaller decimal number is shelved to the left of the book with the larger decimal number.

LB2395.C651991

(Examples on next page)

In Correct Order

QL70.E652006

QL70.E724

QL70.E8L351990

QL70.K7U61938

QL70.F33

QL70.K7772000

Are your eyes sore yet???

Dissecting Call Numbers

LB2395.C65U51991

(Examples on next page)

• Some call numbers have more than one combination letter-number line.

• Again, read the letters on this line alphabetically and the numbers as decimals.

• There is an implied decimal point in front of the numbers on this line. Thus, U39 would be shelved before U5. Why?? Because 39 = .39 and 5 = .50. Since .39 is smaller than .50, that comes first on the shelf.

In Correct Order

QE862.D5L22

QE862.D5L35

QE862.D5L4571

QE862.D5M3311

QE862.D5L461

QE862.D5M37

• The bottom line is often the year of publication. Shelve these in chronological order:

1985, 1991, 1992, 2006...

• The bottom line may also be a volume or copy number. Lower volume (or copy) numbers are shelved to the left of higher volume (or copy) numbers.

v.1, v.2, v.3 …c.1, c.2, c.3 …

LB2395.C651991

LB2395.C651991v.3

Dissecting Call Numbers

In Correct Order

B123.J61993

B123.J61998

B123.J61998Guide

B123.J62000v.2

B123.J62000v.1

B123.J6U31993

Now let’s see if you’ve been paying attention…

In Correct Order

KF884.A721999

KF8840.A721999

KF8840.F721999

KF8840.F72P361999

KF8840.F721999v.2

KFI8840.F721999

Here’s one more, for good measure….

In Correct Order

QE787.C59C662002

QE787.C59S27

QE862.B5L6c.2

QE862.D5M371999

QE862.D5L457

QL84.4.E8B621990

Lest you think you knew it all now…

Location Prefixes • Some call numbers are preceded by a

location prefix. The function of a call number prefix is to designate a special location for the material, different from the shelves of books with similar call numbers. The REF prefix indicates that this book is shelved in the Reference Collection.

• Some common prefixes are:REF = ReferenceCURR = CurriculumVHS = VideoDVD = DVD

REFLB2395.C651991

Questions?

If you ever have questions about how or where something should be shelved, be sure to ASK!! Remember that a mis-shelved item is as good as lost!