Library of Congress (LC) Call Numbers

Most print books in the University of Michigan libraries are organized by Library of Congress (LC) call number as a method to group like subjects together on library book shelves. Each book has a unique identification number (or shelf address); this number is found on the spine of books (or sometimes on the front cover) and in the library's catalog records. 

These unique shelf location numbers allow the books to be organized alphabetically by Library of Congress (LC) subject letters and numbers, grouping like subjects together for easier browsing. 

Here's a sample call number, with an explanation for each line:

QE -   indicates the general subject area; presented on the shelf in alphabetical order

862 -  number line which indicates more specifically the subject area; presented on the shelf in numerical order within the QE section

.D5 -  combination of letters and numbers that often represent the author's last name; presented on the shelf in alphabetical then decimal order

E539 - second combination of letters and numbers to further refine; not always present

2006 - year of publication; presented chronologically on the shelf

Sometimes the library location is also indicated on the book label above the call number (for example BUHR, for the Buhr Shelving Facility, or FINE, for the Fine Arts Library, or UGL for the Shapiro Library).

When you are looking for a print book in our libraries, always start with the top line of the call number.  Remember, books are arranged alphabetically by this top line. For example, all BR numbers are together, after BP and before BS, and all B’s come after all combinations of A and before all combinations of C, like this:

B . . . BP, BR, BS, . . . C, CA, CB . . .

When books have identical letter lines, look to the number line next. Books are ordered using whole numbers on this line. For example:

When the top two lines are identical, look to the third line. Books are first ordered alphabetically; books with the same letter in the third line are then arranged by decimal number (not whole number.) The following call numbers are in correct order:

When the top three lines are identical, look to the fourth line. If it contains a letter followed by numbers, items are organized by letter and, within each letter, by decimal number. (Note that this works just like the line above it, treating the numbers as a decimal even though there is no visible decimal point.) The following call numbers are in correct order:

Multiple editions of a book will have the same call number, except for the last line, which will be the year of publication. Later years are shelved after earlier ones.

Some call numbers will include lines at the bottom to describe the volume, issue or part of the larger publication. These are shelved in alphabetical or numerical order, whichever is used. The following example is in correct order:

More information about general call number locations in individual libraries can be found on the library floor plans.

The University of Michigan Library has orgranized a few books using another coding system: the Dewey Decimal system.  (Many public libraries use the Dewey system for assigning shelf locations for books.) The Dewey system divides subjects into ten main groups. The Hatcher Library uses the Dewey system for some works (mostly in literature), found on the third (800-899) and sixth floors (350) of the south building.

Those call numbers are also sorted line by line, like LC call numbers. The first line is sorted by whole number, and the second line is sorted by letter and then by decimal number. They are then sorted by letter, if applicable, and finally by edition (which is indicated by publication date). The following Dewey numbers are in the correct order:

When searching the library catalog you may encounter records for other items like DVDs, maps, microforms, and manuscripts, which will likely use other forms of call numbers or unique shelf addresses. For example, a DVD located in the Askwith Media Library might have a call number like this: VIDEO-D 80644-D - H70667. A map in our collections might use a call number such as: NEW MEXICO TO 1939. An historical newspaper on microfilm might have a call number like this: MICRO-F 4062 52329. Manuscript collections housed in the Special Collections Research Center might display a call number such as Mich. Ms. US-MU 158

For more information about call numbers for non-book items found in the catalog, ask at any library service desk, or Ask a Librarian.