CALL
NUMBERS
What
is a call number?
A
call number is the letters and numbers assigned to each item (book,
CD, audio, video cassette, and so on) acquired by a library before it
is filed on the shelves. Every item has a unique call number, much like
every house in a city has its own address. A call number places an item
either in its subject area or in an alphabetical order.
Libraries use different types of numbering systems to classify their
holdings. A library's holdings are the materials and items owned by
the library such as books, magazines, journals, video and audio cassettes,
etc. The two most popular call number systems in the United States are:
the Library of Congress Call Number system
which is used in most academic libraries; and the Dewey
Classification System which is used in most public libraries.
The call number is usually printed on a white label and placed either
on the spine or on the cover of the item. You may locate call numbers
in the library's online catalog. You must copy the entire call number
in order to locate the item.
What type of call number system is used by the LAC & PCC libraries
use?
Both the LAC and
PCC libraries use the Library of Congress Call Number and the "generic"
call number systems to classify items.
A Library of Congress Call Number
is the combination of letters and numbers assigned to each item (book,
CD, audio or videocassette) acquired by a library before it is filed
on the shelves. Every book has a
unique call number, much like every house in a city has its own address.
A Library of Congress call number places an item in its subject area.
You may locate call numbers in the library's online catalog. You must
copy the entire call number in order to locate the item on the shelf.
The generic method is a system
devised in-house to group items by either the last name of the author
or by a broad subject. You may locate both the generic and LC call numbers
call numbers in the library's online catalog. You must copy the entire
call number in order to locate the item.
Journals,
magazines, and newspapers are shelved on the periodicals shelves in
alphabetical order by the title of the publication. Some periodical
titles are available on CD-ROM or online. Older issues may be available
on microform.
These are examples of LC and Generic call numbers:
|
CD
WORLD
AFRICA
Nigeria
ADE
002
|
|
REFERENCE
DESK
ref
PE
1591
.K54
1993
|
Please see the Librarian at the Reference Desk for assistance.
Refer also to
the handout, "Library Lingo: a Guide to Library
Terminology" for explanations of other terms used in the library.
Text by Dele C. Ukwu
Library Department Head & Bibilographic
Access Librarian
Stacks
Page
Dele's Home Page
Please send comments and/or
suggestions to Dele C. Ukwu at: dukwu@lbcc.edu
Compiled by Dele
C. Ukwu
Department Head,
Long Beach City College Library
& Bibliographic Access Librarian
4901 East Carson Street
Long Beach, CA 90808
updated 11/2002.
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