How to Read a Call Number
Each book and video in the Library has a unique call number that appears on the item. A call number is an address telling you where the item is located in the library. Each call number is unique; no two items have the same call number.
The CSU Library uses the Library of Congress (LC) Classification for call numbers. LC call numbers, unlike the Dewey call numbers often used in public libraries, use both letters and numbers.
LC call numbers start with one or more letters representing a broad subject area followed by numbers representing a subset of that subject area. Grouping similar areas together on the shelf makes it easier for you to browse the library's holdings on a specific topic. The second and sometimes third group of letters and numbers are called Cutters and usually represent the author. After the Cutter, sometimes other information such as publication date, volume, or copy number are listed.
The letters at the beginning of the call number are shelved alphabetically. The numbers immediately following are in basic numerical order (i.e. LB112 before LB1044). Cutters are shelved alphabetically, but the number is interpreted as a decimal (i.e. .B415 before .B42).
| HC 605 .T24 |
HD 30.4 .H63 |
HD 31 .D4686 |
HD 31 .D791 |
HD 31 .D80 1993 |
HD 31 .L23 c.1 |
Some call numbers at the CSU library are preceded by a location prefix. For example: REF is a reference book shelved in the reference section, and IMC is in the Instructional Materials Collection located on the 2nd floor of the Library.
Newspapers and periodicals do not have call numbers. They are shelved alphabetically by title both on the first and second floor of the Library.