1. The call number is listed in the item's OneSearch record.
2. Make sure that the item is available.
3. Write down the floor that the item is on. This is important because the library has books on most of its nine floors.
4. Click on the Locate link to see a detailed map of that floor.
5. Write down the entire call number or take a photo of it.
6. You will find the call number ranges on small white cards at the end of each bookshelf.
Using Library of Congress Call Numbers
- Library of Congress call numbers use an alpha-numeric system.
- Start with the first letter in the call number. In the example above, that would be Q.
- Within the Q's, you will find just Q, then QA, QB, QC... and so on.
- Once you find the QA's, look for 76. This is a whole number.
- Once you find QA76, keep going until you find 76.9
- Once you find QA76.9, look for the letter D.
- Once you find QA76.9.D, look for 3 -- and note that this number is a decimal number, not a whole number.
- Repeat the process with M379
- The last number (2015 above) is the year the book was published or the copyright date.
Troubleshooting:
- If your book is marked as a Folio, it is on the 8th Floor and is in a separate A-Z collection. Books are marked as folios if they are oversized and do not fit on the regular library shelves.
- If your item’s call number looks like this -- Y 1.2/12:09-9063 -- it is a government document. Staff at the 1st floor desk can help you find these.
- If you went to the shelf and couldn't find your book, come to the 1st floor desk. We will help you find it.
For more details on using call numbers to find books, watch the short video below: