call numbers - dewey decimal
The term "call number” refers to the complete "address" or location of the book on the shelf. Long ago, library users were not allowed to retrieve their own books off the shelves. Often young children called pages, went back to the shelves to get the books. In other words, the library user had to "call" for the book, which would then be checked out to him or her. Even though we do not have to "call" for our books anymore, we still need the call number to find the materials we need.
Dewey Decimal call numbers are used only for nonfiction. The Dewey number, along with other parts of the call number, show the user where that particular book or information source "lives" on the library shelves so that the user can go to that "address" and find the book. Remember that items on the same subject area will live in the same "street". Similar subject area items will reside in the same "neighbourhood".
The first part of the call number indicates the subject classification. Books on the same subject have call numbers that begin with letters indicating the same Dewey Decimal Subject Classification. Each book also has a book number that designates its exact place on the shelf relative to other books on the same subject. Call numbers are usually found on the spine of the item (If the book is too thin the call number is placed at the lower left hand corner of the front cover).
Sometimes users have trouble finding their materials because they try to use the Dewey Decimal number by itself. The call number of the book consists of more than the Dewey Decimal number. If you look at the spine of a library book, you will notice that most call numbers consist of one or more lines of numbers, plus some letters. Line one is the Dewey Decimal number. Line two consists of the first three letters of the author's last name.
The most important thing to remember about call numbers is to be sure you read all the parts. The subject classification system makes it possible to shelve all books about a specific subject in one place, and to shelve books on related subjects in one area of the library.
You might think that using classification numbers to shelve books by subject means there is no need for a library catalog. Not so! Many books cover several related subject areas, but they can have only one call number. The call number will reflect the Dewey classification that most closely matches its main point or major subject area. To help you find multi-subject or interdisciplinary materials, the library catalog includes as many subject headings as necessary to describe the book's content. In this way, performing a search for any of these descriptive subject headings will lead you to the same book.
Call numbers tend to look like fairly random numbers, but each component plays an important part.
Dewey Decimal call numbers are used only for nonfiction. The Dewey number, along with other parts of the call number, show the user where that particular book or information source "lives" on the library shelves so that the user can go to that "address" and find the book. Remember that items on the same subject area will live in the same "street". Similar subject area items will reside in the same "neighbourhood".
The first part of the call number indicates the subject classification. Books on the same subject have call numbers that begin with letters indicating the same Dewey Decimal Subject Classification. Each book also has a book number that designates its exact place on the shelf relative to other books on the same subject. Call numbers are usually found on the spine of the item (If the book is too thin the call number is placed at the lower left hand corner of the front cover).
Sometimes users have trouble finding their materials because they try to use the Dewey Decimal number by itself. The call number of the book consists of more than the Dewey Decimal number. If you look at the spine of a library book, you will notice that most call numbers consist of one or more lines of numbers, plus some letters. Line one is the Dewey Decimal number. Line two consists of the first three letters of the author's last name.
The most important thing to remember about call numbers is to be sure you read all the parts. The subject classification system makes it possible to shelve all books about a specific subject in one place, and to shelve books on related subjects in one area of the library.
You might think that using classification numbers to shelve books by subject means there is no need for a library catalog. Not so! Many books cover several related subject areas, but they can have only one call number. The call number will reflect the Dewey classification that most closely matches its main point or major subject area. To help you find multi-subject or interdisciplinary materials, the library catalog includes as many subject headings as necessary to describe the book's content. In this way, performing a search for any of these descriptive subject headings will lead you to the same book.
Call numbers tend to look like fairly random numbers, but each component plays an important part.
Let’s illustrate with the following book:
599.5 DVI
Voyaging with the whales by Cynthia D'Vincent
The first line of the call number, 599.5 represents the subject of the book and each additional number also has a meaning.
The first number, 5, puts the book in the 500s which is Natural Sciences.
Adding the second number, 9, puts the book in the 590s which is Zoological Sciences.
The third number on the first line represents the sub-division, Mammals under Zoological Sciences.
Read the first line as a whole number with a decimal number.
The second line, lists the first three letters of the author’s last name. Many public libraries use a cutter number instead of the first three letters of an author last name here. Click on the following link to learn more about cutter numbers: http://gateway.library.uiuc.edu/library/circ/tutorial/cutter.html
Numbers to the left of the decimal point are whole numbers. Therefore, 015 becomes before 150.
Numbers to the right of the decimal point are decimal numbers. Therefore, 970.13 becomes before 970.3.
It is not necessary to memorize all the detailed subject classifications and call number distinctions in order to be an efficient user of the library. You only need to understand enough about call numbers to be able to read them and decipher where the material you're searching for will appear in the shelf order.
At Delview, as in most school or public libraries, call numbers are simplified. Instead of using Cutter numbers in the second line, we use the first three letters of the author's last name, as in the example above.
Locator Symbols
We use "locator symbols" instead of, or in addition to, Dewey Decimal numbers for some types of materials such as fiction, children's books, and biographies. A locator symbol is a letter or series of letters that indicate a special location for a special kind of book. Books with locator symbols are usually shelved in a different place away from other books with the same call number. Locator symbols we use at Delview library include REF for reference books, FIC or PB for fiction, B for biographies, and DVD for video recordings.
Fiction books are shelved according to the first three letters of the author's last name. An OPAC search will lead you to the general shelf location.
599.5 DVI
Voyaging with the whales by Cynthia D'Vincent
The first line of the call number, 599.5 represents the subject of the book and each additional number also has a meaning.
The first number, 5, puts the book in the 500s which is Natural Sciences.
Adding the second number, 9, puts the book in the 590s which is Zoological Sciences.
The third number on the first line represents the sub-division, Mammals under Zoological Sciences.
Read the first line as a whole number with a decimal number.
The second line, lists the first three letters of the author’s last name. Many public libraries use a cutter number instead of the first three letters of an author last name here. Click on the following link to learn more about cutter numbers: http://gateway.library.uiuc.edu/library/circ/tutorial/cutter.html
Numbers to the left of the decimal point are whole numbers. Therefore, 015 becomes before 150.
Numbers to the right of the decimal point are decimal numbers. Therefore, 970.13 becomes before 970.3.
It is not necessary to memorize all the detailed subject classifications and call number distinctions in order to be an efficient user of the library. You only need to understand enough about call numbers to be able to read them and decipher where the material you're searching for will appear in the shelf order.
At Delview, as in most school or public libraries, call numbers are simplified. Instead of using Cutter numbers in the second line, we use the first three letters of the author's last name, as in the example above.
Locator Symbols
We use "locator symbols" instead of, or in addition to, Dewey Decimal numbers for some types of materials such as fiction, children's books, and biographies. A locator symbol is a letter or series of letters that indicate a special location for a special kind of book. Books with locator symbols are usually shelved in a different place away from other books with the same call number. Locator symbols we use at Delview library include REF for reference books, FIC or PB for fiction, B for biographies, and DVD for video recordings.
Fiction books are shelved according to the first three letters of the author's last name. An OPAC search will lead you to the general shelf location.