Find Books: Understanding Library of Congress Call Numbers

depending on the particular aspects of Ohio law with which they deal.

Numbers on the second line can range from 1 to 9999 and can also have decimal point subdivisions. Books that begin with the same letter(s) on the first line but have different numbers on the second line are arranged in numerical order, as in this example:

Principle #4

The third and (sometimes) fourth line consists of a single letter followed by a number. Books with call numbers that are exactly the same on the first two lines are arranged alphabetically by the letter on the third line and then, if the letters are the same, by the numbers on the third line.

This same method of arrangement also applies to books whose call numbers are exactly the same until the fourth line. The numbers which follow letters on the third or fourth lines should always be considered to be decimal numbers, even though the decimal point is not always printed. In other words, B3 and .B3have the same meaning.

The following sequence of call numbers, listed here in correct order, illustrates these points:

Other Information in Call Numbers

The date of publication is often included in the call number, after the lines with letters and numbers. It is important to note, however, that the date in the call number is not necessarily the same as the copyright date of the book. You may need to check the front and back of the title page to find out when the contents of the volume were actually written.

Where appropriate, call numbers include volume numbers (Example: V. 13) in the case of multi-volume sets, and copy numbers (Example: C. 2) when there is more than one copy of a given book in the collection. On books themselves this information is printed below the date. ALICE provides specific information about our holdings of multiple volumes and copies on screens entitled Menu of Copies and Volumes.

The words Quarto or Oversize in a call number mean that the book is unusually tall, so much so that it has been shelved in a special area for such books. There is a special section of shelves on each floor of the General Stacks for books marked "Quarto" or "Oversize." Consult the floor plan posted by the elevators or stairwells for the exact locations.

Putting It All Together