All Things Circ. – Payson Library

Scanning Camino Items 

How to Read LoC Call Numbers

Each book, video, DVD and CD has a unique call number. Think of the call number as an address that tells you where an item is in the library.

     Call numbers can begin with one to three letters which indicate the item's broad subject area.

Example:

H=Social Sciences
N=Art
Q=Science

      The subsequent lines consist of numbers and a combination of letters and numbers. 

The first line should be read alphabetically.

The second line should be read numerically.

The third line should be read alphabetically first, then the number should be read as a decimal.

Sometimes a call number will have a fourth line. If that line is alphanumeric like the third line, read it the same way.

     Any additional lines that indicate a date, volume number, copy number, or other annotations should be read logically. If it is a year, read it chronologically. If it is a volume number, read it numerically, etc.