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 three kinds of books, so we have three kinds of call numbers: fiction easy fiction nonfiction

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

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

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

An easy fiction call number is made up of two parts: E (for easy fiction) 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

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

What would the easy fiction call number for the author, Peggy Parish look like? E 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 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 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. 92 (the number for biography) first three letters of the famous person’s last name 921

So the call number for a biography about George Washington would look like this: 92 Was 921

What would the call number for a biography about Troy Aikman look like? 92 Aik 921

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

567.9 Ber nonfiction

92 Lin biography 921

E Mcd easy fiction

F Gif fiction Fic

796 Bon nonfiction

F Par fiction Fic

92 Edi biography 921