Main Collection
Each item at the Carl B. has a unique identifier to locate it on the shelf, we call this a call number. The call number contains numbers and letters that when used correctly will help you locate the item on the shelf. Call number labels are typically on the lower part of the spine of materials or on the lower left front cover.
1 - The call number listed with the item in a library search will match the call number label on the item. Write down or take a picture or screenshot of the title and call number.
2 - Use the guide to the left to find the floor your item will be on.
3 - Find the correct row
Signs with the call number ranges are posted at the end of each row. Locate the range where the first letter(s) and set of numbers are located.
4 - Find the book on the shelf
Call numbers are read from left to right and top to bottom. Start with the letter(s) reading them alphabetically, then read the number as a whole number, in the following lines the letters are read alphabetically and the numbers are read by each digit - these further refine the location of your item.
In this example:
ML - In the rows, first find the Ms, then MLs
420 - Once you find the ML1 go to ML420 (read as four hundred twenty)
.C265 - On this line each letter and number is looked at individually from left to right, so .C189 will come before.C265
A3 - This line is read individually also, so A3 will come after A12
1976 - This line is typically the year of publication