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Understanding Call Numbers
Guides to the Library

Have you ever wondered how library books are assigned their places on the shelves? Did you know that the call number -- the number placed on the spine of the book -- is a code which provides valuable information about the book? This page will provide an introduction to understanding and using library call numbers.

Note: this page relies upon a series of graphics. If your Internet connection does not support graphics, please use our text-only version of "Understanding Call Numbers".

What are call numbers for?

Each book in the library has a unique call number. A call number is like an address: it tells us where the book is located in the library.

Call numbers appear

Note that the same call number can be written from top-to-bottom, or left-to-right.

The Boston Public Library uses Library of Congress Classification for all non-fiction call numbers. This system uses a combination of letters and numbers to arrange materials by subjects.

Reading Call Numbers

Putting Call Numbers in Shelf Order

To understand how call numbers are put in order in Library of Congress Classification, again look at each section of the call number.

What does the call number mean?

Remember that Library of Congress Classification arranges materials by subjects. The first sections of the call number represent the subject of the book. The letter-and-decimal section of the call number often represents the author's last name. And, as you probably recall, the last section of a call number is often the date of publication.
example:

Why is this important to know?

Because books are classified by subject, you can often find several helpful books on the same shelf, or nearby. For example, within the same call number LB2395, there are other guides for college study.

Since Library of Congress Classification arranges materials by subjects, knowing the letter(s) for your subject area gives you a place to start browsing the shelves. Click here to view a guide to popular subjects and their Library of Congress Call Numbers.

This page was adapted from the Honolulu Community College web site, written by Nadine Leong-Kurio.