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Call Numbers

Library of Congress Call Numbers

Library of Congress call numbers group books on the shelves so that you can browse by subject. San José State University Library materials are generally arranged on the shelves by Library of Congress call numbers.

1. First line - Alphabetical. (Single letters preceed letters combined in alphabetical order)
2. Second line - Numeric (whole numbers which may run into the thousands).
3. Subsequent lines - Alphabetical, then Decimal Numeric.

   
    

Dewey Decimal call numbers arrange materials on the shelves by a numbering system. San José Public Library informational materials (not novels or entertainment media) are generally arranged on the shelves by Dewey Decimal call numbers, with the exception of its King Library Reference collection which follows the Library of Congress system described above.

The Dewey Decimal number is a numerical representation of the main subject of the Library item and can be found on the spine or cover of the item. For example, 796.357 is the Dewey Decimal number for BASEBALL. The ends of the Library's shelves usually have signs indicating the range of Dewey Decimal call numbers that can be found on those shelves (for example, 790-799).

The advantage of the Dewey Decimal (and the Library of Congress) call number system is that you once you have the call number of a subject, you may quickly browse the shelves to see all of the Library's materials that are currently in on a particular subject. For how to find the call number of a subject, please see Finding Books in the Library.

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