Library of Congress Call Numbers �

AKA How you find a book in the library�

What is a call number? �

A unique number assigned to each

book in a library, like an address. The

number is unique to each library so the

same book will have different numbers at

different libraries.!

This is an example from CCC’s Catalog�

Encoded meaning �

Given the plethora of information available today, various systems

use codes of numbers, letters, symbols, or abbreviations to organize information in the

library, on the job, and on the web. This lesson will cover the coding

system used in most academic libraries and, in particular, the

CCC Library.!

LC Organization�

•  As you will learn, libraries have very precise systems and codes for organizing and arranging information!

•  Generally, academic libraries use the Library of Congress (LC) call numbers to organize books by subject!

LC Classification�The Library of Congress uses a combination of letters and numbers to organize by subject!

A - General works �B - Philosophy, Psychology,

Religion�C - Sciences of History�

D - World History�E - History of the Americas �F - History of the Americas �

G - Geography, Anthropology, Recreation�

H - Social Sciences �J - Political Science �

K - Law �

L - Education�M - Music �

N - Fine Arts �P - Language and Literature �

Q - Science �R - Medicine �

S - Agriculture �T - Technology�

U - Military Science �V - Naval Science �

Z - Bibliography, Library Science Information Resources �

Question 1�

Based on the slide before, under what section would you probably find information about the legalization of marijuana? !

A - General Works �

D - World History�

K- Law �

R - Medicine �

Question 1 Answer �

K- Law �

Question 2�Based on the slide before, under what section would you probably find information about the health affects of marijuana? Click on the topic below to test your hypothesis!

A - General Works �

D - World History�

K- Law �

R - Medicine �

Question 2 Answer �

R - Medicine �

Subclasses �•  Subclasses are additional letters and

numbers after the first letter that specify a subsection within the overall category. In this example, Industries is a subclass of Social Sciences and Small & medium sized businesses in a subclass of Industries!

•  The last set of numbers, in this case the S34, represents a unique code created based on the author’s last name so that the book can have its own position in the library!

Call Number:�HD2346.U52.S34 2003�H - Social Sciences � HD - Industries. Land Use. Labor.�

HD2340.8-2346.5 - Small and medium sized businesses, artisans, handicrafts, trades �

Subclass Numbers �

•  Numbering for call numbers works on the decimal system!

ND564. B82�

is less than�

ND564.5 B82�

Question 3�

PN �30.3�B23�

PN �303�B23�S78�

PN �30�B73�Y89�

Try to determine which call number should go first among these three. �

Question 3 Answer �

PN �30.3�B23�

PN �303�B23�S78�

PN �30�B73�Y89�

PN 30 < PN 30.3 < PN 303�

•  While many books are available electronically from the catalog, a large number of our books are physically arranged by call number in the library!

•  Furthermore, CCC has different segments of the library that have books, such as the Reference section and the Contemporary Issues section, as you reviewed as part of your Online Library Tour.!

Finding a Book on the Shelf �

Shelf Guides �

•  Listings of each call number range are available at the ends of each shelf!

•  These listings help guide you to the correction area for your book’s call number!

LC Classification�

A - General works �B - Philosophy, Psychology,

Religion�C - Sciences of History�

D - World History�E - History of the Americas �F - History of the Americas �

G - Geography, Anthropology, Recreation�

H - Social Sciences �J - Political Science �

K - Law �

L - Education�M - Music �

N - Fine Arts �P - Language and Literature �

Q - Science �R - Medicine �

S - Agriculture �T - Technology�

U - Military Science �V - Naval Science �

Z - Bibliography, Library Science Information Resources �

Question 4�What subjects of books would you expect to find where there is a shelf guide listed as QA76.9-RN682?!

a) Medicine & Agriculture �b) Science & Medicine �c) Political Science & Science �d) Language and Literature �

Question 4 Answer �

Q - Science �R - Medicine �

b) Science & Medicine �

Call numbers are found on the spine (the outside edge) of

the book on the shelf!

Browsing �

•  By having the books arranged by call numbers that are based on the book’s subject, you can find a book on the shelf and find similar books before and after it on the same shelf !

•  At CCC, you can even use the same subject code to browse across some segments of the library!

Question 5�If you found a great book in the Stacks with a call number LA163, where might you find books similar to your first book in the Reference Section?!

A - General Works �

Z - Information Resources �

L - Education�

T - Technology�

Question 5 Answer �

L - Education�

Therefore, when you are looking for a book!

•  First: Find the book in the online catalog to determine the library, location, call number, and availability!

•  Second: Use the above listed information to search the location using the shelf guides and call number labels on the books!

The End�