1.2.3 Understand call numbers

[Print-friendly version]

A call number is used to locate the item on the shelves within the library.

The main classification scheme used by QUT Library is the Dewey Decimal Classification Scheme. The Law Library uses Moys (Dewey version).

All parts of a call number must be recorded if you are to find the item on the shelf. Spaces and slashes (/) separate the different parts of the call number. These punctuation marks must be written down correctly in order to find the item on the shelf.

In the catalogue, the call number will be written all on one line.

For example:

This will appear on the spine of the book in three lines:

005.133
C++
137 /2

Activity

Call number sorting

How did you do? The following details may help you better locate items on the shelf.

The parts of a call number

There are several important parts of the call number to note:

1. Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) number

Example: 005.133 C++ 137 /2

The first part of this call number is the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) number. The DDC number allows items on the same subject to be shelved together.

The DDC number can be a whole number: 364 296 ... or a decimal number: 364.1680973 3

2. Alphabetic sequence

Example: eg. 005.133 C++ 137 /2.

Some, but not all call numbers include an alphabetic sequence. Alphabetic sequences are used to ensure subtopics are shelved together.

In this example, the DDC number for programming languages is 005.133 and a unique alphabetic sequence is assigned for different languages, for example: C++.

Literature and film titles also include an alphabetic sequence.

Examples:

Programming languages	005.133 (DCC number for programming languages)	JAVA (alphabetic sequence for the programming language e.g. java)	Ensures all books on JAVA are shelved together.
Film	791.43 (DCC number for motion pictures)	LIF (alphabetic sequence for the film title e.g. Life is beautiful)	Ensures all films are shelved together alphabetically by title.
Literature	823.8 (DCC number for 19th Century English fiction)	CAR (alphabetic sequence for author’s surname e.g. Carroll, Lewis)	Ensures all literary works by Lewis Carroll are shelved together.

3. Running Number

Example: e.g. 005.133 C++ 137 /2

All call numbers contain a running number.

Every item with the same DDC number is given a running number to make it unique.

In this example, this book is the one hundred and thirty seventh title with the DDC number 005.133 and alphabetic sequence C++.

4. Edition statement

Example: e.g. 005.133 C++ 137/2

If the item is not the first edition, an edition statement is added to the call number.

It is separated from the rest of the number by a slash (/).

In this example, this is the second edition of this book.

For some software packages, the version of the software is recorded here.

For example: /6 for version 6 of Word.

5. Prefixes

In the literature collections, Australian works will be preceded with an "A".

You can now commence your background reading. How will you determine what key concepts to focus on?

next → ← previous