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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.
MC Speed Library, like some other academic libraries in
the U.S., uses Dewey Decimal Classification
for call numbers. This system uses 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
Dewey Decimal Classification, again look at each
section of the call number.
What does the call number mean?
Remember that Dewey Decimal Classification arranges
materials by subjects. The first sections of the
call number represent the subject of the book. The
letter-and-number 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.
For 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
595.789, there are other books about butterflies or
similar topics.
Since Dewey Decimal Classification arranges
materials by subjects, knowing the number(s) for
your subject area gives you a place to start
browsing the shelves. |
