Library:Library Research Skills For Biologists/Module 3/Module 3C Locating Books/Page 03

Read Line by Line

Read call numbers line by line. Each piece of information directs you to a group of shelves, to a row of shelves, and then to the shelf that has your book.

3. Start with Letters

Call numbers begin with letters that are read alphabetically. A call number can begin with one, two, or three letters. Single letters come before double letters, for example:

4. Look for the number

The second part of a call number is a whole number. Whole numbers are arranged from smallest to largest, for example:

5. Look for the Letter and (Decimal) Number

The third part of a call number is a letter followed by a number. This number is a decimal number. No decimal is printed on the book, for example:

Reading It Together

The books below are in correct order.

If you need further help with locating an item on the library shelf, ask for help at the service desk.

For a print guide on reading call numbers, go to: File:Reading Call Numbers Handout.pdf