Let’s Learn About Call Numbers

Remember, a call number is like the book’s address in the library. It tells where the book lives on the library shelf.

Our library has four kinds of call numbers: fiction everybody fiction nonfiction biography

Today we’re going to learn what makes up all four kinds of call numbers.

A fiction call number is made up of two parts: F (for fiction) first three letters in the author’s last name

So a fiction call number for the author, Beverly Cleary would look like this: F Cle

What would the fiction call number for the author, Matt Christopher look like? F Chr

An everybody fiction call number is made up of two parts: E (for everybody fiction) first three letters in the author’s last name

So an everybody fiction call number for the author, Jan Brett would look like this: E Bre

What would the everybody fiction call number for the author, Peggy Parish look like? E Par

How do we put fiction and everybody fiction call numbers in order? Think……How can we put letters in order? That’s right, fiction and everybody fiction call numbers are in ABC order.

Nonfiction call numbers are made up of two parts: Numbers (for the subject) first three letters in the author’s last name

So a nonfiction call number for a mammal book by Jane Mosley would look like this: 599 Mos

How do we put nonfiction call numbers in order? Think...nonfiction call numbers have numbers and letters, so.. Nonfiction call numbers are put in number order first, then in ABC order.

One kind of nonfiction book has a different call number from the rest. biography

What is a biography? A book about the life of a famous person. Biography call numbers are made in their own special way.

Biography call numbers are made up of two parts. B (for biography) first three letters of the famous person’s last name

So the call number for a biography about George Washington would look like this: B Was

What would the call number for a biography about LeBron James look like? B JAM

How are biography call numbers put in order? Since all biography call numbers have a B, they are put in ABC order.

Let’s see if you can tell what kind of book goes with each call number !!

E Car everybody fiction

567.9 Ber nonfiction

B Lin biography

E Mcd everybody fiction

F Gif fiction

796 Bon nonfiction

F Par fiction

B Edi biography