Reading a Call Number

Public libraries in the U.S. generally use the Dewey Decimal system of classification for their books. Most academic libraries, on the other hand, use the Library of Congress classification system. These classification systems determine what the call number for the book will be and where the book will be shelved or located in the stacks.

In the SCC library catalog, a Library of Congress call number looks like this:

DD 175 .H62 2005

In the stacks, the call number is usually printed on labels and pasted on to the spines of the books like this:

DD
175
.H62
2005

A Library of Congress call number begins with one or two letters, which are in alphabetical order. The first number, 175, is a whole number. This is often followed by a period (.) another letter (H) and another number (62). The letters are organized alphabetically; this time,however, the number 62 represents a decimal number rather than a whole number. This may be followed by additional information such as the date of publication or volume number.

In a public library catalog, a Dewey Decimal call number might look like this:

943 H723H

In the stacks, the call number is usually printed on labels and pasted on to the spines of the books like this:

943
H723H

All Dewey Decimal call numbers begin with a three-digit whole number followed by decimal numbers. The second line often identifies the author of the work by using the first letter of the author's last name.

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