Call numbers explained
Library of Congress Classification
The UGA Libraries' Shelving Units use the Library of Congress (LC) classification system, which organizes materials by subject. Library holdings are shelved by call number. Each call number is unique; call numbers serve as subject identifiers and as addresses for locations in the collections. Call numbers generally incorporate the subject classification, a code for the author, and year of publication.
The example below shows how the call number might appear on the spine of a book and how it identifies the subject matter:
DNA Repair and Mutagenesis by Friedberg et al.
QH QH = Science(Q)/Natural History(H)
467 467 = Genetics
.F753 .F753 = Indicates a specific work by author(s)
19951995 = Year of Publication
The LC call number also indicates the address or location of the item in relation to the rest of the collections. The LC system is alpha-numeric. Some call numbers will be prefaced with a location symbol indicating a specific collection to which they belong. For instance,
Sci Ref = found in Science Reference collection
E
160
.S65
1994
There are a few collections that do not use the Library of Congress classification:
- Reserves
- Georgia, U.S. and Canadian government documents
- Main Library Current Periodicals (shelved alphabetically, by title)
- Main and Science Library Leisure Reading Books
- In Process Collection
- Curriculum Materials Library
Please inquire at the Reference Desk for assistance with the collections listed above.
