Call Numbers

1. The first line of a call number may begin with one, two, or three letters. These letters should be read alphabetically. A call number that begins with A is shelved before one that begins with B, C, etc.; and a call number that begins with QE is located somewhere before the one that starts with QL.
   QE

   
   
   before

   QL
2. The second line of a call number is made of a number that may have one or more digits. This line is read numerically. A call number with a smaller number in its second line is placed before one that has a larger number for its second line:
   HD
   987

   
   
   before

   HD
   1001
3. The third line is the trickiest part of the call number: The letter is shelved alphabetically, and the number following the letter is treated as if it were preceded by a decimal. Thus:
   QE
   352
   B64
   1999

   
   
   before

   QE
   352
   C85
   1999
   But, the tricky part of the 3rd line of the call number is that its numerical component is read as a decimal number. Thus, these examples are in correct call number order:
   QE
   352
   C444
   1999

   
   
   before

   QE
   352
   C64
   1999

   
   
   before

   QE
   352
   C7
   1999

   
   
   before

   QE
   352
   C754
   1999
   This makes sense if you read the numbers as decimals!
   0.444 before 0.64 before 0.7 before 0.754
4. The final lines of the call numbers may include dates, volume indicators, issue numbers, copy numbers, and other annotations such as supplement or index specifiers. These annotations are read after the call number.

If you still can't find the book you want, please ask for help at the Reference Desk, Library North, 1st floor.