Trent Library GlossaryCall NumberA call number is a number assigned to an item in the library. Each item has its own unique number. You use a call number to find an item on our library shelves (stacks). Signs in the library tell you which call numbers are on which floor. A-FC and PG-Z are on the 3rd floor. G- PF are on the 4th floor. Our library, like most academic libraries, uses the Library of Congress Classification Scheme to assign call numbers. These call numbers always begin with letters, followed by numbers, followed by a decimal. The beginning letters represent the broad subject category under which the item belongs. Although the library is organized by subject using this system, it's not always effective to simply browse an area of the library for all the books on your topic. For one thing, it could be a very large area you need to search. For another, books often cover more than one topic and they could be classified under a different subject. Sometimes items are in special locations, such as Reserve, Reference, Folio, Pamphlet, Government Publication, etc. We should always start our search with TOPCAT, get several relevant call numbers, and then browse the shelves around those items for more items.
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