Understanding Call Numbers

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.  Call numbers appear in the spines of book and in the book record within the library catalog.

   Note that the same call number can be written from
   top-to-bottom, or left-to-right. 

 

COA Library, 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.   Public Libraries use a different call number system from the one  academic libraries use.  Public Libraries such as Alameda Free Library or Oakland Public Library use the Dewey Decimal call number system.  College of Alameda does NOT use the Dewey Decimal call number system and instead uses the Library of Congress call number system because it is an academic library not a public library.

 

Reading Call Numbers

 

What does the call number mean?

Remember that Library of Congress Classification arranges materials by subjects. The first sections of the call number represent the subject of the book.  Because books are classified by subject, you can often find several helpful books on the same shelf, or nearby.  For example, the call number LB2395 houses many different books that are all guides for college study.