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Main GNTC LibGuides Page

Finding Materials on Campus

Finding books, movies, and audio books on campus requires the use of a call number on the spine of a book.

The call numbers used at GNTC are different from the numbers seen in a public library. Academic (college) libraries use a system called the Library of Congress (LC) Classification System.

See the following sections to learn more about what the letters and numbers mean, and to find out how to use them to find books in our libraries.

• The Library of Congress Classification System,
• Using the LC System in the Library, and
• Viewing the LC System online.

The Library of Congress Classification System

There are typically between four and seven lines on each spine label. Each line has a different meaning and looks a little different.

• Line 1: (Required)One to two letters which signify the topic.
• Line 2: (Required)One or more numbers which help specify the topic.
• Line 3: (Required)One letter and up to four numbers which tell the last name of the author; if no author, these make up the first part of the title or series.
• Line 4: One letter and two numbers which begin the name of the book series; if not in a series, these make up the first part of the title when there is an author.
• Line 5: One letter and four numbers which begins the name of the book, if there is both an author and a series.
• Line 6: (Required) Four numbers that show the year the item was published or released.
• Line 7: Volume or part number, usually for DVDs with more than one season, or reference books with more than one book.

Examples: Click on each image to see a larger image with labels.

Four lines HT = Communites. Classes. Races. 1521 = Races, including race as a social group and race relations in general. .R3347 = Race Relations (Title) 2011 = Year published	Five lines PS = American Literature 3619 = Individual American Author. .S7635 = Stockett, Katheryn H45 = Help, The 2009 = Year published	Six lines PZ = Fiction and Juvenile Belles Lettres 7 = Juvenile Belles lettres (books) .C6555 = Collins, Suzanne H86 = Hunger Games, the (Series) .H8644 = Hunger Games (Title) 2008 = Year published	Seven lines PR = English Literature 6068 = Individual English Author .R685 = Rowlings, J.K. H37 = Harry Potter (series) .D43 = Deathly Hallows, Harry Potter and the 2011 = Year published pt. 2 = Part two of the Deathly Hallows

Using the LC System in the Library

Using the system in the library isn't too difficult, once familiar with the way the LC system works. Many campuses have some kind of poster up to show which numbers represent which topics. There also a list below.

1. Determine where the different type of materials are located; then, look at the first line of the label. Many campuses will have signs or the materials will be easily visible. Items should be shelved in alphabetical order, starting with the first line. This means, all of the PN movies would be together, and all of the HV books would be together.
2. Look at the numbers on the second line. These go in order from lowest to highest, so 105 would be after 100, and before 1000. On the shelf, B 150 would be before B 275. Likewise, B 245.2 would be before B 245.9. Now, the books should be all on related topics, and if there are lots of books in B 245.2, then they are likely on the same topic.
3. Look at the third line, which is typically the author's last name. In the case of movies, it's usually the movie's title. The first letter after the period is usually the first letter in the name or title.
4. If two items have the exact same three lines, look at the year. This is usually the last line, but sometimes there's a volume or part number line. The year line will tell which item is more recent--this is important with things like medical books and movies.

Of course, if you're still having difficulty, ask a librarian for help! We're happy to show you where the item is as well.

Viewing the LC System Online

When looking up books through the online catalog, the numbers should look similar. Unfortunately, sometimes the computer groups the first two lines together. When that happens, simply look at the first two letters for line one, and the following numbers as line two. The call number you see in a record will match the call number on the shelves, so if you found the book in the catalog and it's available in the library, you should know just where to look when you get into the library.

Of course, if you're still having difficulty, ask a librarian for help! We're happy to show you where the item is as well.

Library of Congress. "Library of Congress Classification Outline." Library of Congress. Lib. of Cong., n.d. Web. 27 July 2012.

Online Library Learning Center. "The Library of Congress Classification System." Online Library learning Center. Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, n.d. Web. 27 July 2012.