Locating Books with Library of Congress Call Numbers
Call numbers are printed on book spines to determine where the books are located on the shelves. The call numbers are cross referenced in the online catalog. For example:
ND 588 D 8P1 1955
Click on each alpha-numeric "set" to see its description:
ND - The first set consists of one or two letters and indicate the main subject or classification of the book.
General Classification System
A General Works
B Philosophy
C History
D World History
E History-American
G Geography
H Social Sciences
J Political Science
K Law
L Education
M Music
N Fine Arts
P Language & Literature
5th Floor
Q Science
R Medicine
6th Floor
S Agriculture
T Technology
U Military History
V Naval Science
Y Juvenile
Z Bibliography & Library Science
588 - The second set is the classification number. It should be read as a whole number and further subdivision of the subject matter.
D8P1 – The third set is a letter-number combination that typically indicates an author, further subject subdivision or geographic area. The numeric component of this set should be interpreted as a decimal number. (In this case D8 should be read as .8)
1955 – The last set indicates the year of publication.
If you have trouble locating items on the shelves, please ask for assistance at the Reference Desk, (719) 549-2333, or contact us online.
