Alert box for instruction on how to use this page
Click on the FAQ text in the column on the left. The Answer will show in the column on the right.
A call number tells you where an item is located on the shelf. Think of it like an address. You'll find the call number for an item by searching the Library Catalog.
The DCC Library uses the Library of Congress (LC) System. This means our call numbers begin with letters. Call numbers are assigned by subject and other materials shelved in the same area will have similar topics.
- To locate an item on the shelves, start with the first letter. In our example, we look for the “P” section. With things organized on the shelf alphabetically by call number, this should be relatively easy. There are signs on the ends of the rows of shelves to make this process easier.
- Then within the range of “P” look for the second letter, “R” in our example.
- Within the “PR” range we now look for the number, in this case 1195. As the items are now in numerical number within this range, this should be relatively straightforward. Remember that some of the ranges will wrap around to the next row.
- Now we switch back to letters in alphabetical order (PR1195.S)
- Then numbers in numerical order TREATED LIKE DECIMALS (PR1195.S5, with the 5 being treated like .5)
- Then back to letters one last time (PR1195.S5 B)
- Then numbers in numerical order TREATED LIKE DECIMALS (PR1195.S5 B87, with the 87 treated like .87)
- The last numbers represent the publication date and will be in chronological order (PR1195.S5 B87 2010)
Watch this video for more information about call numbers and LC. This video wasn't made by us, so the catalog and Library name will be different, but the concepts are the same!