University of Arkansas Libraries, Fayetteville

Call numbers are a subject code and a location code!


Call numbers are a code system that identifies the individual item and where it is among millions of items on the shelf. The University Libraries use the Library of Congress call numbers. Most research libraries also use them. Once you learn them, you will be able to use them anywhere.
 
books with call numbers on spines
 		 List of call numbers for text browsers: a list of call numbers and their locations

List of call numbers for Netscape, Internet Explorer, et al.: a table of call numbers and their locations

The Library of Congress call number is a unique number assigned to a title to identify its location("address") on the shelves in the library. Because call numbers are assigned to titles on the basis of the primary subject covered by the work, call numbers bring together on the shelves materials on the same subject, creating the opportunity for browsing. Most academic libraries, including Mullins Library, use the Library of Congress (LC) classification because of its flexibility in handling extensive ranges of subjects and vast numbers of items within a particular discipline.
The LC system uses letters and numbers to form at least three, and sometimes four, lines of a call number.  The call numbers are read alphabetically, then numerically, then alph-numerically, by letter and decimal number. Think letter, number, letter, decimal number.

The parts of a call number are:

  • Line one: letter(s) = the subject area
  • Line two: numbers = the subfield or more specific topic
  • Line three: mixed term with decimal numbers = an identifier for author or title
  • Line four: date term = usually the year of publication
    • For example, a call number which was HD 58.8 .P478 1992 would break down as: The third line is a decimal number, so that HD 58.8 .P478 would be found before HD 58.8 .P52 on the shelf. A plain "H" call number would be on the shelf before an HA call number, and so on (also expressed as "Nothing comes before something").

    Go to the University Home Page