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Research & Information Literacy

Reading Call Numbers

Every book in the library has a unique "call number." They act like an address, indicating where the book is located in the library.

Like most academic libraries (i.e., libraries at colleges and universities), we use the Library of Congress (LC) classification system. It is an alpha-numeric system for arranging books according to their subject. The letters and numbers relate to specific topics, like particular artists, authors, media, and places.

Breakdown of LC Elements

Sample Call Number: TR654 S559 2017

TR First Letter(s). The first element of a call number is a letter or pair of letters. This indicates the class (or subject area) of the item. If there is a second or third letter, this indicates that the item relates to a specific subclass of the broader subject. Here, we have TR = Photography, a subclass of T = Technology.
654 First Number. This number can range between 1-9000. Sometimes, it includes a decimal.
S559 Cutter Number. This is a pairing of a letter with a number. Read these numbers as decimals. Sometimes, there are multiple cutter numbers.
2017 Publication Year. The final element is the year the item was published. It doesn't need to be read as a decimal.

Primary LC Classes

A -- General Works H -- Social Sciences Q -- Science
B -- Philosophy. Psychology. Religion J -- Political Science R -- Medicine
C  -- Auxiliary Sciences of History K -- Law S -- Agriculture
D  -- Global History and History of Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, etc. (this includes Travel) L -- Education T -- Technology
E -- History of the Americas M -- Music U -- Military
F -- History of the Americas N -- Fine Arts V -- Naval Science
G -- Geography P -- Language and Literature Z  -- Bibliography. Library Science. Information Resources (General)

See our Call Number Subject Guide for an in-depth look at subclasses and the subjects that appear frequently in our collection.

Call Numbers in OwlCat

When you find a print book in our catalog that you'd like to view in person, first look at the location and status. Where is it located in the library? Is it available to check out? If an item is already checked out, you can place a hold on it if you are logged into OwlCat.

When you're ready to go look for your item, write down or take a picture of the call number. Make sure it's recorded accurately and not missing any elements. Take this information with you to the correct location to find the item on the shelf. If you are asking a staff member for help, be sure to also capture the location.

Above: Identifying the Material Type, Location, Call Number, and Status of an item in search results.

Above: Viewing the "Holdings Information" (i.e., location, call number, and status) of an item within its record. Notice that this item has an accompanying set of DVDs in another location, so there are two different entries.

Library Locations and Special Circumstances

Check the holdings information carefully. Some items have locations beyond our Main Stacks.

Main Stacks - Shelving for print books that occupies the majority of the library's space.
Oversize - Shelved at the end of the Main Stacks, in the southwest corner of the library.
Video Stacks - DVD and Blu-ray shelving in the northwest part of the library.
Periodicals Stacks - Located in the center of the library. Recent issues can be found by lifting the shelf where the current issue is shelved.
Zines Shelf
Materials Collection
Reserve Shelf - Behind the Circulation Desk; ask a staff member for help. In-library use only.
Reference - Shelves at the entrance of the library by the Circulation Desk. In-library use only.
On Display - Temporarily being featured in a library display; ask a staff member for help.
Special Collections / Artists' Books / Otis Lab Press / Otis College Archives / Artists' Multiples / Ephemera / Zines - Housed in closed stacks; ask a staff member for help or make an appointment.
Overflow / Annex / Video Storage / Basement Storage / Periodicals Storage / TLC Stacks
Cataloging / VRC - In-process; ask a staff member for help.
Online - Digital resource that can be accessed online; there should be a link that redirects you to the resource.

Reserve items are available to borrow at the Circulation Desk. These cannot leave the library, as they pertain to certain courses that are in session.

Locating a Book on the Shelf

  1. Call numbers are printed on labels affixed to an item's spine. Sometimes, they are embossed or written directly onto the book. If the spine is too small to label, the call number may appear on a corner of the cover.
  2. Items are arranged from left to right on each shelf, from top shelf to bottom shelf.
  3. Call numbers are arranged alphabetically. Use the signs on the sides of the aisles to find the class you are looking for (i.e., first letter or pair of letters).
  4. The class should be accompanied by a number. Find this number within the class. These numbers range from 1-9000 and sometimes include a decimal.
  5. Cutter numbers follow the initial letter-number pairing. These are also arranged alphabetically. However, these numbers should always be read as decimals (e.g., P67 is between P6 and P8).
  6. Continue this process through each element (i.e., number-letter pairing) to find the specific book.
  7. The final piece of the call number is the publication year.
  8. If you decide not to borrow the book, leave it on one of the carts at the end of the aisles rather than putting it back on the shelf.
  9. Please ask our library staff for assistance if you need it!
Below: Example of N-class books arranged in call number order.

 

Library Map

Color-coded map of the Otis College Library.

View a larger version

Call Numbers in OwlCat Expanded Search (EDS)

For OwlCat Expanded Search, we use EDS (EBSCO Discovery Service). The holdings information for items is located in a different place than OwlCat. Within an item's record, you can find this in the left column and at the bottom of the page.

Above: Identifying the Location, Call Number, and Status of an item in search results.

Above: Viewing the "Holdings Information" (i.e., location, call number, and status) of an item within its record. This may look different depending on the device you're using.

  • Last Updated: Sep 16, 2025 2:51 PM
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