1. SOLVING THE MYSTERY OF LIBRARY CALL NUMBERS AN INTRODUCTION TO UNDERSTANDING LIBRARY CALL NUMBERS

2. . • Each material in the library has its own unique call number. • It appears in the library’s on-line catalog. • Understanding the Call Numbers and the Classification System will make it easier for you to retrieve Library materials.

3. The call number is also attached to the spine of the book. • It is like an address that tells you where the library material is located. • It also provides the information such as the subject, First letter of the author’s last name and the year of publication.

4. In the Bertha Smith Library the call numbers are assigned according to the Library of Congress Classification System. • It is an alphanumeric system consisting of both letters and numbers.

5. In this Classification System materials are broken down into twenty-one general subject areas. Each Subject area is represented by a letter. • A - General Works • B - Philosophy, Psychology, Religion • C - Auxiliary Sciences of History • D - History: General and outside the Americas • E - History: United States • F - History: United States Local and America • G - Geography • H - Social Sciences • J - Political Science • K - Law • X (non-LC) - Non Common Law • L - Education • M - Music • N - Fine Arts • P - Language and Literature • Q - Science • R - Medicine • S - Agriculture • T - Technology • U - Military Science • V - Naval Science • Z - Library Science

6. These 21 subject areas are further divided into sub-categories. For an example, see the sub-categories under Philosophy, psychology and religion • Sub-categories in B: Philosophy, psychology and religion • B - History and Systems of PhilosophyBC - LogicBD - Speculative PhilosophyBF - PsychologyBH - AestheticsBJ - EthicsBL - Religions, Mythology, RationalismBM - JudaismBP - Islam, Bahaism, TheosophyBQ - BuddhismBR - Christianity (General)BS - The BibleBT - Doctrinal TheologyBV - Practical TheologyBX - Denominations and Sects

7. The sub-categories are further divided into several subdivision of subjects. These subdivisions are represented by numbers. BS 1-2970 - The Bible BS 11-115 - Early versions BS 125-355 - Modern texts and versions BS 125-198 - English BS 199-313 - Other European languages BS 315-355 - Non-European languages BS 315 - Asian languages BS 325 - African languages BS 335 - Languages of Oceania and Australasia BS 345 - American Indian languages BS 350 - Mixed languages BS 355 - Artificial languages BS 410 - 680 Works about the Bible BS 500-534.8 Criticism and interpretation

8. How to read LC call numbers • Every LC call number begins with one to three letters. E.g.: B BT 121 966.2 .K56 .G7 1970 1986

9. First Line of the Call Number • First Line: The first line of call numbers describes the general subject area. In the example below, the letters “ BT” represent Doctrinal Theology. If you are looking for books on Doctrinal Theology, you will find them in “BT” section.

10. Second Line of the Call Number • Second Line: The second number line represents the narrow subject area. Read it as a whole number. The Specific Number 966.2 in BT represents theology relating to angels.

11. Third Line of the Call Number • Third Line: The next number is called the cutter number. The Letter-number usually indicates the author. Smith could be .S6. Graham could be .G7

12. Last Line of the Call Number • The last if number, if present, is the year of Publication.

13. How are the call numbers arranged? • When you are looking for an item, always start with the top line of the call number. • Items are arranged alphabetically. All BR numbers are together, after BP and before BS, and all B’s come after all combinations of A and before all combinations of C.

14. Congratulations! Congratulations! You’ve completed the Bertha Smith LC Call Numbers tutorial. If you have any further questions, you can send questions to library@lru.edu or call 770-484-1204 ext. 263.