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How Do I Read Call
Numbers?
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Have
you ever wondered how library books are assigned their places
on the shelves? Did you know that the call number -- the
number placed on the spine of the book -- is a code, which
provides valuable information about the book? This page will
provide an introduction to understanding and using library
call numbers.
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The Calhoun Community College Library
system, like
many academic libraries in the U.S., uses
Library of
Congress Classification for call numbers. This system uses a
combination of letters and numbers to arrange materials by
subjects.
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What is the purpose of call
numbers? |
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Each book
in the library has a unique call number. A call number is like
an address: it tells us where the book is located in the
library.
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Call
numbers appear |
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Reading Call Numbers |
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Read a
call number by sections, line-by-line. Each section is part of
the "code". |
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Putting Call Numbers in Shelf
Order |
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To
understand how call numbers are put in order in Library of
Congress Classification, again look at each section of the
call number. These call numbers are in the correct order:
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1. LA2301
.M37
2. LB227 .M3
3. LB2327 .V53
1990
4. LB2328 .B37
5. LB2328
.C34
6. LB2328 .C55
7. LB2328 .C554
1982
8. LB2395 .C65 1987
9. LB2395
.C65
1991 | |
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Could you
see why the call numbers were arranged in this order?
Shelf-order can be confusing at first. Here is the same list
of call numbers, with explanations of how they were put in
order: |
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1. LA2301
.M37
2. LB2327 MS (LB comes after AFTER
LA)
3. LB2327 .V53 1990 (Both start with
LB2327, V comes after M)
4. LB2328 .B37 (2328
comes after 2327)
5. LB2328 .C34 (C comes after
B)
6. LB2328 .C55 (Both start with LB2328 .C,
decimal .55 comes after .34)
7. LB2328 .C554
1982 (Decimal .554 comes after .55)
8. LB2395
.C65 1987
9. LB2395 .C65 1991 (Same call
numbers except for date: 1991 comes after
1987)
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What does the call number
mean? |
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Remember
that Library of Congress Classification arranges materials by
subjects. The first sections of the call number represent the
subject of the book. The letter-and-decimal section of the
call number often represents the author's last name. And, as
you recall, the last section of a call number is often the
date of publication. |
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Let's
crack the code by examining the sections of this call number:
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LB2395 .C65
1991
LB2395 = subject of the book:
Methods of Study in Higher Education
.C65
= Coman, the author's last name
1991 =
the publication year |
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Why is this important to
know? |
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Because
books are classified by subject, you can often find several
helpful books on the same shelf, or nearby. For example,
within the same call number LB2395, might be other guides for
college study. |
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LB2395 .C6
1960 - A Student's Guide to Efficient Study, by Luella Cole
LB2395 .C65 1991 - What You Need to Know ..., by Marcia J.
Coman
LB2395 .L447 - Keys to College Success, by Minnette
Lenier
LB2395 .O54 1983 - A Successful Student's Handbook,
by Rita Phipps |
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| Classification
Tables |
Since the Library of Congress Classification
system arranges materials by subjects, knowing the letter(s)
for your subject area gives you a place to start browsing the
shelves.
Which letters represent your subject? You can
view the Library of Congress Classification Table with broad
and expanded categories by choosing one of the following
link:
Broad
Categories.
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| Location
Codes |
| When a call number looks like the examples
above, (e.g. LB2395 .C65 1991), the book is shelved on the
regular circulating stacks of the Brewer Library. Some call
numbers, however, include a location
code.
example:
AG243 .G87 1992 REF--
The REF code indicates that this book is shelved in the
Reference Collection. |
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| Location codes mean that book is shelved in a
special place, and may have loan restrictions. Check for a
location code in the online catalog before trying to find the
book in the library. Brewer Library and the Huntsville Campus Library use the following location codes: |
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Location |
Library /
Huntsville Campus Library |
Loan
Period |
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Calhoun Community College |
Brewer Library |
Loan Period varies by patron:
employee, faculty, student, community |
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Calhoun Media |
Brewer Library |
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Calhoun Reference |
Brewer Library |
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Calhoun Tech. Services |
Brewer Library |
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Calhoun Reserve |
Brewer Library |
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Calhoun Distance Learning |
Brewer Library |
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Calhoun Research Park |
Huntsville Campus Library |
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Research Park Reference |
Huntsville Campus Library |
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Research Park Tech Service |
Huntsville Campus Library |
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Research Park Reserve |
Huntsville Campus Library |
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Research Park Distance Learning |
Huntsville Campus Library |
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For more information
about call numbers and finding library materials, ask the
librarian.
NOTE:
Adapted from "Understanding Call Numbers" by Honolulu
Community College. Used with
Permission.
Last updated
24-Jan-06
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Computer Technology Acceptable Use Policy
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| "Access is a Privilege, Not a Right:
Calhoun reserves the right to deny the privilege of the use of any
or all types of computer technology to individuals who violate the
Acceptable Use Policy."
"Individuals are fully responsible for their own
actions while using Calhoun Community College's computer
technology." |
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ACCEPTABLE USE: Internet access through Calhoun’s computer network is
limited to acceptable use as specified below:
"Using the network for the purpose of instructional support (class
assignments, research, skill development, and/or the production of
materials used in the educational process."
"Using the software/hardware only in the conditions and settings
provided by Calhoun."
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UNACCEPTABLE USE: Unacceptable use of Calhoun computer technology is
outlined at length in the Computer Technology Acceptable Use Policy
and includes, but is not limited to, the following:
It is unacceptable to "knowingly access or transmit information which
contains obscene or indecent materials as defined by law."
It is unacceptable to "engage in activities for the purpose of
promoting personal gain and/or profit or use of college
technology for organizations other than Calhoun."
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It is the responsibility of students to read and become familiar with the
institution’s Computer Technology Acceptable Use Policy in its
entirety. Copies are located at the Reference/Information Desk, Circulation
Desk, and posted at computer workstations. |
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Adopted by Calhoun Community College
May, 1998 |
