How to read a call number

Bookmark and Share

Items in Tisch Library are shelved in order of their Library of Congress call number.

Items are first arranged on the shelves in alphabetical order by letter:

A B F H J JA K KF KFM Q QA T U Z

Within each letter combination, they are arranged by the number:

QA
76
QA
273
 QA
273.25 		QA
273.4 		QA
279 		QA
279.2

Then, items are arranged by the alpha-numeric segment, which is read as a decimal number.

Thus, .M4 is read as M.40 and follows .M388 (read as M.388) on the shelf:

QA
279
.H83 		QA
279
.M388 		QA
279
.M4 		QA
279
.M44 		QA
279
.M5
QA
279
.S5

You can use the maps of the collections -- Floor Plans: -- at Tisch Library to find the general area of the library where your call number will be located.


Tufts University