Read a Call Number
Mason Libraries uses the Library of Congress Classification system to arrange books on the shelves so that books on the same topic are shelved together. Each book has a unique call number that begins with one, two, or three capital letters followed by numbers. Most call numbers appear on the spine of the book or video. A call number is like an address - it tells where the book is located in the library.
| Read it! |
Read the call number top to bottom, line by line |
|---|---|
| LB | 1st Line: read in alphabetical order (Example: LB before LC) |
| 2395 | 2nd Line: read as whole number (Example: 2395 before 2396) |
| .c55 | 3rd Line: read letter alphabetically and read number as decimal. (Example: .C5499 before .C55) |
| 2007 | Last Line: can be publication date, volume or copy number and/or other annotation | Find it! | Guide signs posted on each book stack end indicate the "neighborhood" for the book's call number |
If you need additional assistance reading a call number or locating library materials, Ask a Librarian.