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Understanding
Call Numbers
Libraries
use classification systems to organize books and
other materials by subject so that they can be found
quickly by library users. Each item has a unique
"address", or call number, to help you locate it
in the library. Call numbers are placed on
the spines of books and are included in library
catalog records. Books are arranged on the shelves
in order by call number.
American
University Library uses Library
of Congress Classification, which has become
the system of choice for many large research libraries.
This system uses a combination of letters and numbers
to arrange materials by subject area. This makes
it easier to browse the shelves for materials that
are similar.
The
following table lists the major classes of the Library
of Congress Classification system:
| A
General Works |
M
Music |
| B
Philosophy, Psychology, Religion |
N
Fine Arts |
| C
History (General--Civilization, Genealogy) |
P
Language and Literature |
| D
History (General and Old World) |
Q
Science |
| E
History: America |
R
Medicine |
| F
American History (Local) and Latin American |
S
Agriculture, Plant & Animal Industry |
| G
Geography, Anthropology, Recreation |
T
Technology |
| H
Social Sciences |
U
Military Science |
| J
Political Science |
V
Naval Science |
| K
Law |
Z
Bibliography & Library Science |
| L
Education |
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Reading
Call Numbers
The
following record is from the WRLC Libraries Catalog.
The
label on the spine of this book would look like
this:
If
you have questions about call numbers or need assistance
locating a book, please ask a reference librarian
for assistance.
Created
by
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