HOW TO READ A CALL NUMBER
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Academic Libraries use the Library of Congress Classification system to arrange books on the shelves. Each book has a unique call number that begins with one, two, or three capital letters followed by numbers.
To locate a book, for which you have the call number, the following types of order must be considered:
 | Alphabetical order |
The first line of the call number is always alphabetical by one, two, or three letters:
P, PA, PB, PC, etc.
| Numerical order |
The second line of the call number is always numerical
1, 2, 3, etc.
| Decimal order |
The third and fourth lines of the call number are alphabetical and decimal
.4 is greater than .37; 8 is greater than .948
Work from the top line of the call number to the bottom line:
Example: A book by Roger Whitlow, Cassandra's Daughters : The Women in Hemingway, has this call number PS3515.E37Z948.
PS Alphabetical
3515 Numerical
.E37 Alphabetical, Decimal
Z948 Alphabetical, Decimal
Most Libraries post guide signs on the ends of each range of shelves. Note where the PS books are shelved, then PS3515, then PS3515.E, then PS3521.E37, etc.
If you cannot find the book you are looking for, ask for assistance at the library’s Reference Service Desk.