Call Numbers

1
Call Numbers

• How Books Are Arranged on the Shelves

PA 2143 R24
PS 25 F12
PS 132 G29
PS 132 G3
2
Classification Systems

• LC (Library of Congress System)
• Used by most universities (including UCSB).
• Has 21 main classes designated by letters of
  alphabet, arranged by subject.
• Dewey Decimal System
• Invented by Melvil Dewey (hes the one the
  MELVYL catalog is named after).
• Used by most public libraries.
• Also an arrangement by subject.

3
Examples of Classes in LC

• A General Works
• B Philosophy, Religion
• G Geography, Anthropology
• J Political Science
• M Music
• N Fine Arts
• Q Science
• T Technology

4
Examples of LC Call Number Arrangement

• PA PS PS PS PS2143 25 132 132
  1163R24 F12 G294 G38 B26
• Note that the first number in the call number is
  treated as a whole number (PS25 comes before
  PS132) and the second number is treated as a
  decimal (G294 comes before G38).