The document provides an overview of the Library of Congress (LC) classification system used by the SU Libraries to organize books on shelves. It explains that the LC system uses a call number with letters and numbers to arrange books on similar topics together. It describes the general categories of subjects that can be found under each class letter, such as history, philosophy, languages, and sciences. The document also gives examples of call numbers and explains how to read them.

1. LC* Classification
*Library of Congress

2. The Library of Congress System
• “Libraries use classification systems to organize the books on the
shelves. A classification system uses letters and/or numbers (call
numbers) to arrange the books so that books on the same topic are
together. This arrangement results in "serendipitous browsing:" you
find one book in the catalog, go to the shelf, and an even better book
is sitting right next to it.”
- University of Georgia Libraries

3. What SU Libraries Use:
• We use the Library of Congress classification system
• Public libraries tend to use Dewey Decimal
• It’s just a different way of keeping books of similar/related subjects
together
• The books are shelved by call number which is a series of numbers
and letters that indicate where the book should go

4. Parts of a Call Number
• On the spine of the book, you’ll find a sticker with numbers and letters.
• There can be more or fewer lines than shown here:

5. In Bird Library:
• Call numbers A – D are on the 2nd floor
• Call numbers DA – HD are on the 3rd floor
• Call numbers HD – NA are on the 4th floor
• Call numbers NB – PZ are on the 5th floor
• Anything Q – Z is at Carnegie
• This doesn’t include what is stored offsite or in another location
• Many bound journals
• Special collections/rare books
• Architecture Reading Room
• Law Library
• MLK Library

6. How to
Read a
Call
Number:

7. Things You’ll Find in Each Section:
Though there are subcategories for each main class that get more specific, it
can help to know approximately what books are in each class.
• Class A: general works
• Almanacs, encyclopedias, history of scholarship/learning
• Ex: AM1 .D5 1981 “Directory of World Museums” edited by Kenneth Hudson
• Class B: philosophy, psychology, religion
• Logic, ethics, mythology, theology
• Ex: BF20 .F57 2003 “Flourishing: Positive Psychology and the Life Well-Lived”
• Class C: general history
• History of civilization, archaeology, genealogy, biography
• Ex: CC81 .A69 2009 “Archaeology of Environmental Change” by Christopher Fisher
• Class D: world history
• Ex: DS7.7 .F67 2009 “Civilizations of Ancient Iraq” by Benjamin Foster

8. • Class E: American history
• Ex: E907 .O22 2012 “Obama’s Presidency: A Preliminary Assessment”
• Class F: local histories
• State histories, province histories, Latin America, colonies
• Ex: F2299 .B55 M35 2014 “Work of Recognition: Caribbean Colombia and the
Postemancipation Struggle for Citizenship”
• Class G: Geography, anthropology, recreation
• Environmental sciences, customs, folklore, leisure
• Ex: GV711 .P78 2016 “Psychology of Effective Coaching”
• Class H: Social sciences
• Economic history, finance, sociology, family
• Ex: HQ728 .W52 2015 “Family Theories: an Introduction”
• Class J: Political science
• Legislative papers, public administration, colonization, international relations
• Ex: JZ5534 .T436 2015 “Teaching Peace Through Popular Culture”
• Class K: Law
• Religious law, world laws
• Ex: KDK156 .H3 “English Law in Ireland 1290-1324”

9. • Class L: Education
• Theory, history, fraternities/sororities
• Ex: LC1035.4 G7 1994 “Tech Prep: a Strategy for School Reform”
• Class M : Music
• Literature on music, instruction, scores
• Ex: M23 .B85 1979 “Sonata for Piano”
• Class N: Fine arts
• Architecture, sculpture, painting, decorative arts
• Ex: NE2049 .L4 “History of French Etching from the 16th Century to the
Present Day
• Class P: Language and literature
• Linguistics, languages, literature, juvenile literature
• Ex: PM3962 .T48 1960 “Maya Hieroglyphic Writing: an Introduction”

10. Where Are the _____________ Books?
• Sometimes patrons will ask where the Russian history/French
impressionism/poetry books are
• While you can use the Library of Congress system to point them in the
general direction, try to see if they need more assistance
• Reference librarians and Learning Commons can help students find exactly
what they’re looking for or help them narrow their topic down