Call Numbers

1
Call Numbers

• (address of item on shelf)
• Chapter 3 of text

2
Call Numbers

• To find material in libraries it must be
  organized and arranged.
• Organization is achieved through a classification
  system.
• Classification is like a address system. Each
  item has a unique call number so that it may be
  located.

3
Call Numbers

• Two major classification systems Dewey Decimal,
  LC (Library of Congress)
• Dewey Decimal is used in most public libraries.
• Tries to divide all knowledge into 10 numerical
  categories (000-900)

4
Call Numbers - Dewey

• Problem Not enough categories, numbers can be
  very long.
• Example of Dewey call number 813.236 (see p.
  37-39 of text)

5
Call Numbers - LC

• More complex than Dewey
• Uses a combination of letters and numbers.
• Used by Library of Congress and most academic
  libraries.
• Large collections need more specific ways to
  organize. Dewey is not good enough.
• Example BF498.2 G45 1999

6
Call Numbers - LC

• LC uses a combination of letters and numbers to
  divide material in to subject areas.
• Example P section contains works of literature
  and literary criticism. Includes television,
  motion pictures, theater.
• PG Russian Literature
• PR English Literature
• PS American Literature

7
Call Numbers - LC

• To Find an item with an LC call number, first
  find the appropriate section of the alphabet.
• Example PS Go to the P section, work up to PS
  following the alphabet (PA, PB, PC, PD, etc.)
• Next follow the numbers like an address PS2125

8
Call Numbers - LC

• PS2125 reads as PS two thousand one hundred and
  twenty five.
• PS2125 G47 After locating PS2125, work up to G
• Ex PS2125 A, PS2125 B, etc
• Read 47 as .47 (a decimal point)

9
Call Numbers - LC

• PS2125 G47 comes AFTER
• PS2125 G458
• PS2125 G47 (.47 .470) add a zero
• .470 is greater than .458

10
Call Numbers - LC

• Date of publication is often at the end of the
  call number. Helps to distinguish dates and
  editions.
• Ex PS2125 G47 1995

11
Call Numbers - LC

• LC No separate fiction section like public
  libraries.
• Biographies are in the subject area of the person
  (not lumped together in a biography section).
• Not all of the books on the same subject are in
  the same location.

12
Other Call Number Systems

• Superintendent of Documents government
  documents (SuDoc) SBA 1.49/20083 
• Specialized classifications for special
  collections. (MVC Library music CD collection)
  MUS_CD POPU U2 JOSH