Library of Congress Classification and Call Numbers
Call Numbers
Call numbers are assigned to materials based on their subjects and determine where materials are shelved.
Call numbers appear horizontally in the library catalog, but vertically on the spine label (the sticker on the book spine.)
A call number starts with a row of 1, 2, or 3 letters, then a row of numbers, then a row with a decimal point, a letter, and some numbers (which are treated as decimals) and maybe more rows. When looking for a book on the shelf, just start at the top and work down. And if you don’t find it, ask for help!
The row of letters relates to the subject:
Letter |
Subject area |
A |
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B |
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C |
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D |
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E |
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F |
History of the United States and British, Dutch, French, and Latin America |
G |
|
H |
|
J |
|
K |
|
L |
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M |
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N |
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P |
|
Q |
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R |
|
S |
|
T |
|
U |
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V |
|
Z |
Bibliography, Library Science, and General Information Resources |