Libraries organize information so you can find what you need when you need it. We naturally categorize things from broad to narrow. Think about a grocery store. It has broad sections: dairy, produce, meat. The dairy section has narrower products: milk, eggs, cheese. You wouldn’t look for pickles there because it’s not logical.
Libraries organize items this way, too. They have broad sections of books: literature, chemistry, nursing. The literature section has narrower books: poetry, novels, literary criticism. You wouldn’t look for chemistry books here.
Libraries use classification systems to organize their physical materials (e.g. books, DVDs, maps). Using classification systems, libraries create call numbers--unique addresses that identify where an item is located in the library. Understanding these help you retrieve information.
When you receive a text message, the information arrives based on your phone number. The same principle holds for library materials. With a complete call number you can locate an item in even the largest library!
Call numbers are usually found on the spine of a book (or on the front cover if the item is thin).
The call number can appear in different places depending on if you’re using the Library Catalog (Books & More) or Quick Search. The image below shows the Library Catalog. It is important to obtain the complete call number as that will lead you to the exact location of the item. The record will also tell you on what floor the item is located.
Online Books and Journals are different!
Call numbers are NOT assigned to online books and journals in our catalog because they have no physical location in the library. Online items are accessed by clicking on the link for full text.
Classification Systems Used at Sims Library
Sims Library uses three main classification systems to create unique call numbers for its materials:
The Library of Congress Classification system (LC) is the system most often used in college and university libraries because it allows for growth in new subject areas.
A complete list of the 21 LC categories and subcategories can be found by clicking here.
Example:
The Dewey Decimal Classification system (DDC) is most widely used in public and school libraries. DDC is easy to recognize because its call numbers begin with a 3 digit number.
Example:
Another classification system commonly found in academic libraries is Superintendent of Documents (SuDoc), or simply Gov Docs. SuDoc is the system used to organize federal government documents.
Example:
Video Length: About 2 minutes (1:45)
Video Citation: "Reading LC call numbers (edited version of Douglas College's video)." YouTube, uploaded by Laurentian Library. 6 Aug. 2014. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRLpqr4tKZw Used under CC-BY license. Accessed 3 Aug. 2021.
