How to Read a Call Number

Read line by line:

LB

2395

.C65

1991

Read the first line in alphabetical order:A, B, BF, C, D … L, LA, LB, LC, M, ML …

Read the second line as a whole number:1, 2, 3, 45, 100, 101, 1000, 2000, 2430 …

The third line is a combination of a letter and numbers.Read the letter alphabetically.Read the numbers as a decimal, e.g. .C655, C74, C8(Some call numbers have more than one letter-number line.)

The year the book was published, in chronological order.

Guide to Library of Congress Classification for Books

Subject Area Call Number

American Literature ................................................................................................. PSAnthropology ........................................................................................................... GNArchaeology and Genealogy ................................................................................... CArt and Architecture................................................................................................. NAsian and African Languages and Literatures ........................................................ PL Biology, Physiology, and Life Sciences................................................................... QH – QRChemistry ................................................................................................................ QDCooking ................................................................................................................... TXEconomics............................................................................................................... HB - HDEducation ................................................................................................................ LEnglish Language and Writing ................................................................................ PNEnglish Literature .................................................................................................... PR Film and Television ................................................................................................. PN Folklore.................................................................................................................... GRFrench Language and Literature ............................................................................. PQEthnic Studies ......................................................................................................... EGardening and Agriculture ...................................................................................... SGender Studies, Marriage, and Family.................................................................... HQGeography............................................................................................................... G - GFGeology ................................................................................................................... QEGerman, Dutch, and Scandinavian Languages and Literatures.............................. PTHistory of Asia, Africa, and Australia ....................................................................... DS – DUHistory of Latin America .......................................................................................... FHistory of the United States..................................................................................... EHistory of the United States – Local (e.g., Los Angeles)......................................... FItalian Language and Literature............................................................................... PQLaw.......................................................................................................................... KMathematics and Computer Science ...................................................................... QAMedicine .................................................................................................................. RMiddle Eastern Languages and Literatures............................................................. PKMusic ....................................................................................................................... MPhilosophy............................................................................................................... B – BD; BH – BJPhotography ............................................................................................................ TRPhysics .................................................................................................................... QCPolitical Science ...................................................................................................... JPsychology .............................................................................................................. BFReligion ................................................................................................................... BL – BXSlavic Languages and Literatures ........................................................................... PGSociology................................................................................................................. HMSpanish and Portuguese Languages and Literatures ............................................. PQ