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Help: Call Numbers

What are Call Numbers

Most items in the collection are arranged by subject. Each item is assigned a unique call number that indicates not only where the item is located but provides other valuable information about the item as well. Items about the same subject have similar call numbers. Therefore, they are grouped together on the shelf. This makes it easier for users to browse items on a particular topic.

Location Prefix

Some call numbers are preceded by a location prefix. A location prefix means that the item belongs to a specific collection, is shelved in a special place, and may have circulation restrictions. For example, in the call number, Ref AG243 .G87 1992 , the Ref prefix indicates that the item is shelved in the Reference Collection. Items in the Reference Collection do not circulate.

Library of Congress (LC) Call Numbers

LC call numbers always begin with a letter of the alphabet that identifies the main class or subject of the item. LC main classes and their corresponding letters in the alphabet are listed below:

  • A: General Works
  • B: Philosophy, Psychology, & Religion
  • C: Auxiliary Sciences of History
  • D: History - General & Old World
  • E: History - American & North American
  • F: History - U.S. & South American
  • G: Geography, Anthropology, & Recreation
  • H: Social Sciences
  • J: Political Science
  • K: Law
  • L: Education
  • M: Music
  • N: Fine Arts
  • P: Language & Literature
  • Q: Sciences
  • R: Medicine
  • S: Agriculture
  • T: Technology
  • U: Military Science
  • V: Naval Science
  • Z: History of Books, Library Science, & Bibliography

See the Library of Congress for a complete list of main classes and their subclasses.

How to Read LC Call Numbers

Subclasses of the LC main classes are represented by a second letter. The first D in the call number indicates that the book is a work of history. The second D indicates that it is a work of German history. LC call numbers are read line-by-line as explained in the following table.
DD
534
.C35
1998

Line Number
Part
How to Read
Represents
1
First letter
In alphabetical order
A, B, C, D, etc.
Main class
Second letter In alphabetical order
BA, BB, BC,BD, etc.
Subclass
2
Number
As a whole number.
1, 2, 3, 45, 534, 2000, 2500, etc.
Further subclasses
3

Letter

In alphabetical order
.C, .D, .E, etc.
Author's last name
Decimal Number-by-number
.C22, .C34, .C35, .C357, etc.

4
Date
In chronological order
1995, 1998, 2000, etc.
Date published
Volume In numerical order
1, 2, 3, 4, etc.
Volume published

LC Call Number Shelf Order  

LA before
LB
2327 before 2328
. B before
.C5
. 554 before
.63
1987 before
1991
LA
2301
. M37
LB
2327
. M3
LB
2327
. P35
LB
2328
. B3
LB
2328
. B34
LB
2328
. C55
LB
2328
. C554
1982
LB
2328
. C63
1992
LB
2395
. C65
1987
LB
2395
. C65
1991
    
. M before
.P
. 3 before
.34
. 55 before
.554
2328 before
2395
   

Dewey Decimal (DD) Call Numbers

In McDonald Library, DD call numbers are used for a small collection that is shelved on the second floor following the bound journal collection.

DD call numbers begin with a whole number that identifies the main class or subject of the item. The ten DD main classes and their corresponding three-digit numbers are listed below:

  • 000  Generalia
  • 100  Philosophy
  • 200  Religion
  • 300  Social Sciences
  • 400  Language
  • 500  Science
  • 600  Technology
  • 700  Arts
  • 800  Literature
  • 900  History

For a complete list of DD main classes and their subclasses click here .

How to Read DD Call Numbers

Subclasses of the DD main classes are represented by variations in the main class numbers and in the numbers following the decimal point. All numbers following the decimal are read number-by-number. Any letters are read in alphabetical order. Additional numbers following the letters are also read number-by-number.
598.2
A77

DD Call Number Shelf Order

856 before
976
72 before
747
.306 before
.4
856.475
B25
976.306
T54
976.306
W 72
976.306
W747
976.306
W75
976.4
Y75
       
T before
W
747 before
75
      

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