Two major call number systems are used in the libraries: the Dewey Decimal and Library of Congress classification schemes. As it appears on a physical item, the first line of a call number is a broad subject classification. The subsequent lines combine letters and numbers to organize items into narrower, related categories.
Library of Congress | Dewey Decimal |
HB Alphabetically 615 Whole number |
573.3 Whole number, followed by decimal |
.C518 Alphabetically, then decimals (may be followed by another letter) |
.W932A Alphabetically, then decimals |
2018 Publication Date, shelves chronologically | e.g., 573.3 W932A shelves before 573.3 W94A |
See How to Read Call Numbers from the University of Berkeley Library for more details about LC call numbers.
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