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Classification systems

Classification systems help you find the item you are looking for on the shelf. There are several different types of systems, and most academic libraries use more than one. The Library of Congress (LC) system and the Dewey Decimal system (DDS) are used to classify many materials. SuDoc (Superintendent of Documents) numbers are often used to classify government documents.

Regardless of which systems are being used, the code assigned to each item -- its unique identification number (found both in the catalog and on the item itself) -- is a call number.

Understanding Call Numbers

Does the call number
look like this? Description and Tips to recognize them in the future

HM24.P283 1978
PS3537.M2895 T7
QH308.2.L87 Library of Congress (LC) | ID Tips

396L967W
540C152C
808.9A435H62 Dewey Decimal | ID Tips

J 1.2:D 63/2
PREX 1.2:F 98/2/EXEC.SUM
Y 1.1/8:103-344 Superintendent of Documents (SuDoc) | ID Tips

Does the call number look like this?	Description and Tips to recognize them in the future
HM24.P283 1978 PS3537.M2895 T7 QH308.2.L87	Library of Congress (LC) \| ID Tips
396L967W 540C152C 808.9A435H62	Dewey Decimal \| ID Tips
J 1.2:D 63/2 PREX 1.2:F 98/2/EXEC.SUM Y 1.1/8:103-344	Superintendent of Documents (SuDoc) \| ID Tips