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Locating Library Materials

Understanding Call Numbers

Does the call number
look like this? Call number (click for descriptions) Tips for recognizing this type of call number

HM24.P283 1978

PS3537.M2895 T7

QH308.2.L87 Library of Congress (LC)

Always begins with one or more capital letters followed by up to 4 numbers.
Usually includes one decimal point but no other types of punctuation marks; sometimes has no decimal point at all, or more than one.
Often includes a year at the end of the number expressed in four digits (i.e. 1998).

396L967W
540C152C
808.9A435H62 Dewey Decimal

Always begins with three numbers, from 001 to 999.
Usually includes one decimal point but no other types of puncuation marks; sometimes has no decimal point at all, or more than one.
Letters in the call number can be either upper or lower case, or both.

J 1.2:D 63/2
PREX 1.2:F 98/2/EXEC.SUM
Y 1.1/8:103-344 Superintendent of Documents (SuDoc)

Always begins with one or more letters, which can be all upper case or a mixture of upper and lower case.
Generally includes a variety of several punctuation marks within the same call number (i.e. / : - .)

Home > Locating Library Materials > Page 2 of 4 (Understanding Call Numbers)
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Does the call number look like this?	Call number (click for descriptions)	Tips for recognizing this type of call number
HM24.P283 1978 PS3537.M2895 T7 QH308.2.L87	Library of Congress (LC)	Always begins with one or more capital letters followed by up to 4 numbers. Usually includes one decimal point but no other types of punctuation marks; sometimes has no decimal point at all, or more than one. Often includes a year at the end of the number expressed in four digits (i.e. 1998).
396L967W 540C152C 808.9A435H62	Dewey Decimal	Always begins with three numbers, from 001 to 999. Usually includes one decimal point but no other types of puncuation marks; sometimes has no decimal point at all, or more than one. Letters in the call number can be either upper or lower case, or both.
J 1.2:D 63/2 PREX 1.2:F 98/2/EXEC.SUM Y 1.1/8:103-344	Superintendent of Documents (SuDoc)	Always begins with one or more letters, which can be all upper case or a mixture of upper and lower case. Generally includes a variety of several punctuation marks within the same call number (i.e. / : - .)