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 to organize 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. LB 2395.C

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) LB 2395.C L 2395.C

In Correct Order BA 316.P BF 30.A56 K 1401.B KFI 4554.I6 E KF 48.U LB 5.N25

Dissecting Call Numbers Read the second line as a whole number. If the number contains a period with trailing digits (like and ), 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. LB 2395.C (Examples on next page)

In Correct Order QA 70.5.B QA 76.S Guide QA E QA 76.2.K73 M QA C82 QA H

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. LB 2395.C (Examples on next page)

In Correct Order QL 70.E QL 70.E724 QL 70.E8 L QL 70.K7 U QL 70.F33 QL 70.K

Are your eyes sore yet???

Dissecting Call Numbers LB 2395.C65 U (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 QE 862.D5 L22 QE 862.D5 L35 QE 862.D5 L4571 QE 862.D5 M3311 QE 862.D5 L461 QE 862.D5 M37

The bottom line is often the year of publication. Shelve these in chronological order: 1985, 1991, 1992, 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 … LB 2395.C LB 2395.C v.3 Dissecting Call Numbers

In Correct Order B 123.J B 123.J B 123.J Guide B 123.J v.2 B 123.J v.1 B 123.J6 U Now let’s see if you’ve been paying attention…

In Correct Order KF 884.A KF 8840.A KF 8840.F KF 8840.F72 P KF 8840.F v.2 KFI 8840.F Here’s one more, for good measure….

In Correct Order QE 787.C59 C QE 787.C59 S27 QE 862.B5 L6 c.2 QE 862.D5 M QE 862.D5 L457 QL 84.4.E8 B 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 = Reference CURR = Curriculum VHS = Video DVD = DVD REF LB 2395.C

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!