Call Numbers


Compiled by Janell Rudolph. Last revision: May 9, 1999


Identifying the Call Number on the Catalog Record

The call number appears in two places on the holdings display: above the line in the bibliographic record and below the line in the item record. Use the call number in the item record below the line.
EXAMPLE:



The call number in the item record below the line is QA 76.9 C66 S88 1995 . If there is no call number in the item record, consult library staff.

Understanding the Call Number

Our library uses the Library of Congress Classification System. The call numbers, which arrange books by subject categories, begin with one or two letters, followed by a series of numbers and letters. The call numbers appear vertically on the book labels. Thus QA76.9 C66 S88 1995 will look like this on the book:
QA
76.9
C66
S88
1995


The first line (QA) represents the broad subject category (mathematics). The second line (76.9) breaks the broad category down into a more specific subject category (computers). You should find this book and others on the same subject on the shelf together. The third (C66) and, in this case, fourth (S88) lines identify the author or other agents who produced the book. The last line identifies the publication year. All the lines after the first two uniquely identify the book. No two books have the same call number. Therefore, you should copy the complete call number from the catalog record before you start looking for it.

Finding the Call Number in The U of M Libraries

The call numbers organize the books on the shelves. However, you also need to know where the shelves are! On the line above the call number in the item record is the name of the library where the book is shelved. In the example above, the book is located in McWherter Library, the main library in the U of M Libraries. Unless otherwise noted, books are shelved on the 3rd and 4th floors (generally known as the stacks) .

Call numbers beginning with the letters A through K are on the 3rd floor
Call numbers beginning with the letters L through Z are on the 4th floor

Call number order

Once you locate the library location, you begin searching the shelves for the first letter in the call number. Use the signs posted on the ends of the shelf sections as your guide. In our example, you will look on the 4th floor for the shelves where the Q's begin. (Facing toward the back side of the library (east), the Q's are on the right (south) side.) Once you find the Q section, walk down the aisles until you get to the call numbers that begin with QA. Then start looking for the number on the second line, 76.9. Note the decimal in the number, which means that it will be between 76 and 77.* When you find call numbers beginning QA 76.9, then start looking at the third line, C66. Look first alphabetically for the letter C, then for the number 66, which is read as a decimal. (All numbers after the 2nd line are decimals, though the decimal point does not show on the call number label.) If there is more than one book having C66 on third line, proceed further to the letter and number on the fourth line. If there is more than one book having S88 on the fourth line, then the date on the last line determines the order.
*Unlike the Dewey Decimal system, the numbers on the second line are read as whole numbers, not decimals. Thus, you have the order 9...76...92...180...776...1776...5201...etc.

Oversize books

Call numbers with the word OVERSIZE are located in a separate area. Look for OVERSIZE books in a separate section at the end (east side) of each floor. For example, an oversize book with BA at the beginning of the call number will be in the OVERSIZE section of the 3rd floor; an oversize book with NA at the beginning of the call number will be in the OVERSIZE section of the 4th floor. Once in the OVERSIZE section, you will find the books arranged in standard call number order.

Other Locations

Items located in other parts of McWherter Library (such as Special Collections or Periodicals) or in branch libraries may not initially display on the item record if you are searching on a terminal in the McWherter Library. Instead, the item record will tell you to Press L for the location information.

The U of M Libraries Catalog also includes holdings at Shelby State Community College, Jackson State Community College, and Dyersburg Community College. Usually you will be directed to Press L for that information. Sometimes there is no location given in the item record. In that case, ask library staff to help you determine where the item is located.

Branch Libraries

McWherter Library is the main library in the U of M Libraries system. There are five branch libraries:
  • Audiology and Speech Pathology Library, 807 Jefferson
  • Chemistry Library, Smith Chemistry Building, Room 316
  • Earth Sciences Library, 3892 Central
  • Mathematics Library, Dunn Building, Room 341
  • Music Library, Music Building, Room 115


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    Created by Janell Rudolph. Updated May 13, 1999.