Every book in the library has a unique call number. A call number is the address of the book on the shelf. It connects the search you do in the library catalogue to the location of the book in the library.
Library of Congress (LC) call numbers are used in most academic libraries throughout North America.
Trying to read and understand a call number in its entirety is not easy:
NA2543.G46 M38 2009
The first step is to look at each component of a call number separately:
NA
2543
.G46
M38
2009
LC call numbers are read from left to right and from top to bottom.
FIRST LINE:
- uses letters only
- read in alphabetic order: A to Z
- each letter represents a subject: D = World History, N = Fine Arts, R = Medicine
- each letter can be subdivided: N, NA, NB, NC, ND, NE … NZ
- each subdivision represents a more specific topic: NA = Architecture
SECOND LINE:
- uses numbers
- read in numerical order 1 through to infinity: N1, N2, N3, N15, N50, N105, N501, N1500, N2543, N5010
- a decimal (if present) should be read in numerical order: N100.1, N100.2, N100.12, N100.20, N100.210
THIRD LINE (and FOURTH if present):
- combines letters and numbers (the letters and numbers are read separately)
- letters are in alphabetic order
- numbers are read as decimals (i.e. in hierarchical order NOT numerical order)
- this means the first number is given priority, then the second, then the third: G4, G41, G411, G42, G433, G5, G51, G512, G6, G605, G705, G7055, G8
- remember, all G4 combinations (G41, G411, G42, G433) must be completed before G5 (G51, G512), then G6 (G605), etc.
YEAR (if present):
- publication date
- read in chronological order: 2000, 2001, 2005, 2009, 2010
| NA
|
Read the first line in alphabetical order:
A, B, BE, BF, C, D... N, NA, NB, NC, NZ, T, TX...
In this example, NA comes before NB.
|
| 2543
|
Read the second line as a whole number:
1, 2, 3, 45, 100, 101, 1000, 2000, 2543, 2550, 2600...
In this example, NA 2543 comes before NA 2600. |
| .G4
|
The third line is a combination of a letter and numbers. Read the letter alphabetically: G comes before H. Read the number as a decimal. This means that all G4 combinations (G4, G41, G411, G42, G433) must be completed before G5 (G51, G512), then G6 (G605), etc.
|
| M38
|
Some call numbers have more than one combination letter-number line. Read this line as a letter and a decimal. |
| 2009
|
The last line is the year the book was published. Read in chronological order: 2009 comes before 2010 |
When you find your book on the shelf you will also find books on related topics located beside it:
NA
253
.G46
A72
2009
|
NA
2543
.G4
M38
2009
|
NA
2543
.R43
D54
2005
|
 |
 |
 |
BROWSING
Remember, letters in the FIRST LINE of the call number describe broad academic subjects. You can use these subject headings to browse the Library collection for books in your area of study.
Letter Subject
A = GENERAL ENCYCLOPEDIAS
B = PHILOSOPHY, PSYCHOLOGY, RELIGION
C = ARCHAEOLOGY, ARCHIVES, CIVILIZATIONS
D = CULTURES, HISTORY, TRAVEL
E = ABORIGINAL HISTORY
FC = HISTORY OF CANADA
G = ANTHROPOLOGY, GEOGRAPHY, RECREATION, SPECIAL EVENTS
H = ASL, BUSINESS, COMMUNITY SERVICES, DEAF & DEAFBLIND STUDIES, ECONOMICS, FASHION, FINANCIAL SERVICES, SOCIAL WORK, SOCIOLOGY
I = POLITICAL SCIENCE
K = LAW
L = EDUCATION, EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
M = MUSIC
N = ARCHITECTURE, DESIGN, FINE ARTS
P = ESL, LANGUAGES, LITERATURE, THEATRE, PERFORMING ARTS, GRAPHIC NOVELS
Q = COMPUTER SCIENCES, MATH, NATURE & BIOLOGY, SCIENCE
R = DENTAL HEALTH, HEALTH SCIENCES, MEDICINE, NURSING
S = AGRICULTURE
T = COMPUTERS, CONSTRUCTION, CULINARY ARTS, FASHION, HOSPITALITY, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, PHOTOGRAPHY, TECHNOLOGY, TOURISM, TRADES
U = MILITARY SCIENCE
V = NAVAL SCIENCE
Z = DESIGN, PUBLISHING, TYPOGRAPHY