Understanding Call Numbers
General Call Number and Library Information
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- Have you ever wondered how library books are assigned their places on the shelves? Did you know that the call number -- the number placed on the spine of the book -- is a code which provides valuable information about the book? This page will provide an introduction to understanding and using library call numbers.
Note: This page relies upon a series of graphics.
- The Houston Cole Library, like many academic libraries in the U.S., uses the Library of Congress Classification system for call numbers. This system uses a combination of letters and numbers to
arrange materials by subjects.
Why Do We Use Call Numbers?
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- 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.
- Call numbers appear in two places:
Note that the same call number can be written from top-to-bottom, or left-to-right.
How Do You Read Call Numbers?
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How Do You Put Call Numbers in Shelf Order?
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Understanding Order
- To understand how call numbers are put in order in Library of Congress
Classification, again look at each section of the call number.
What Does the Call Number Mean?
- Remember that Library of Congress Classification arranges materials by subjects. The first sections of the call number represent the subject of the book. The letter-and-decimal section of the call number often represents the author's last name. And, as you recall, the last section of a call number is often the
date of publication.
 Why is This Important to Know?
- Because books are classified by subject, you can often find several helpful books on the same shelf, or shelved nearby. For example, there are other guides for college study within the same call number LB2395.
Example:
- Since the Library of Congress Classification system arranges materials by subject, knowing the letter(s) that represent your subject area gives you a place to start browsing the shelves. To see which letters represent your subject, view the Library of Congress Classificiation Table.
How Do You Locate Items in Our Library?
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General Information
- After finding an item's call number in the JSU online catalog, note the first letter(s) of the call number. Check the library directory to see which floor of the library corresponds to those letters.
- Since the Library of Congress Classification system arranges materials by subject, knowing the letter(s) that represent your subject area gives you a place to start browsing the shelves. To see which letters represent your subject, view the Library of Congress Classificiation Table.
Example: A Guide to College Survival (LB 2395 .B76 1987) is found on the fifth floor because all items beginning with the letter "L" are found on that floor.
Locations
- Sometimes the online catalog will give you additional information about the location of an item. For more information on accessing our Online Catalog. Also, for more detailed information concerning locating journal articles, use our How to Find a Journal Article page.
- Some items in the library are shelved in a special place, and there may be restrictions on checking these items out from the library.
- You may see the following location notes in the JSU online catalog:
| LOCATION |
COLLECTION |
LOAN PERIOD |
| See Floor Directory |
Circulating
(regular stacks) |
standard |
| Reference |
Reference |
library use only |
| Periodicals |
Periodicals |
library use only |
| Microfilm or Microfiche |
Microforms |
library use only |
Alabama Collections
(10th floor) |
Alabama Collections |
library use only |
Juvenile (K-12)
(5th floor) |
Juvenile Collection |
standard |
Textbooks (K-12)
(5th floor) |
Textbook Collection |
standard |
- For more information about call numbers and finding materials in the library, ask one of our Librarians.
(NOTE: Adapted from "Understanding Call Numbers" by the University of Hawaii. Used with permission.)
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