LibAnswers

When you search for a book or media item in the library catalog (PRIMO) you will get a result list.  For physical items, following the title in the list you will see the name of the JCC Campus library and the collection name followed by a CALL NUMBER.  Example:  Available at Hultquist Library General Collection (QC903.2.U6 C64 2016).  A call number is an address. It tells you where a book or media item is located within the library. The call number in the catalog corresponds to a label on the spine or back cover of an item on a library shelf.  You need the entire call number in order to find the item on a shelf.

Like most academic libraries, the JCC Libraries use the Library of Congress (LC) Classification system, an alphanumeric system which groups books by subject categories. The first letter in the call number indicates a broad subject grouping.

    Examples:

J - Political science
L - Education
Q – Science
P – Language and Literature

Each letter and number that follows the first letter narrows down the subject.

    Examples:

JC - Political theory
LA - History of education
QC – Physics
PR – English Literature

A call number is written horizontally in the catalog result list, but vertically on the physical item on the shelf.

    Catalog:  QC903.2.U6 C64 2016

    Book:  

QC
903.2
.U6
C64
2016

Library of Congress general call number subjects are:

    A - General Works
    B - Philosophy, Psychology, Religion
    C - Auxiliary Sciences of History
    D - World History, and History of Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, etc.
    E - F History of the Americas
    G - Geography, Anthropology, Religion
    H - Social Sciences
    J - Political Science
    K - Law
    L - Education
    M - Music and Books on Music
    N - Fine Arts
    P - Language and Literature
    Q - Science
    R - Medicine
    S - Agriculture
    T - Technology
    U - Military Science
    V - Naval Science
    Z - Bibliography, Library Sciences, Information Resources (General)