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Research Strategies: Using Call Numbers

How to use Boolean operators and LOC call numbers

What Is It and Why Should I Care?

Every book and movie in the Abell Library Center has a unique call number. A call number is like an address within the library in that it tells us exactly where the item can be located. Call numbers can be found on the item's spine as well as in the library's catalog. Most academic libraries, including Abell Library Center, use the Library of Congress (LC) Classification System to create the call numbers and organize materials.

The LC Classification System arranges library items based on subject, and each subject has multiple subclasses.

Reading a Call Number

Call numbers can be narrowed down into four parts:

  • General Subject: the first one, two or three letters, which are arranged on the shelf alphabetically (D comes before DA which comes before DAW)
  • Narrower Subtopic: the first numbers arranged numerically after the letters (D383 comes after D278.5 but before D501)
  • Cutter Number: the following combined letters and numbers, preceded by a decimal point, which identifies the author, corporation, or title (.C comes before .F)
  • Year of Publication

 

About the Library of Congress Classification System

Abell Library uses the Library of Congress (LC) Classification System. Each item within the library has a unique call number that is organized by subject, making it easier for you to browse the shelves for material on a specific topic.

TIP: Once you have found a couple of books in the catalog and have located them on the shelves, browse in the same area to see if there are other titles of interest.

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