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 books, so we have four kinds of call numbers: Fiction Picture Books Dewey (non-fiction) I-Can-Read Books

Today we’re going to learn the recipe for making all four kinds of call numbers.

A fiction call number is made up of two parts: jF or 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: jF Cle

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

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

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

What would the easy fiction call number for the author William Stieg,look like? E Sti

An beginning chapter book or I-Can-Read book call number is made up of two parts: I (for I-Can-Read) first three letters in the author’s last name

What would the I-Can- Read call number for the author Peggy Parrish, look like? I Par

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

Nonfiction (Dewey) 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: j599 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 recipe from the rest. biography

What is a biography? A book about the life of a famous person. Biography call numbers have their own special recipe.

Biography call numbers are made up of two parts. j92 (the number 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: j92 Was

What would the call number for a biography about Troy Aikman look like? j92 Aik

How are biography call numbers put in order? Since all biography call numbers have a 92, they are put in ABC order.

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

E Car easy fiction

j567.9 Ber Dewey/nonfiction

j92 Lin biography

E Mcd easy fiction/picture book

F Gif fiction

j796 Bon Dewey/nonfiction

F Par fiction

j92 Edi biography