Call Numbers

Call numbers tell you where an item is located. To find an item in the Library you need to:

  • write down the complete call number, including spaces.
  • note the collection or library where it is held (see under Locations).

    • Recognising a call number

    The Library has several classification systems. Most call numbers are based on a combination of the Dewey Decimal Classification System and numbers assigned by the Library, eg 938.03 3

    The first three digits represent a subject area; in this case 938 is Ancient Greek History.

    Numbers after the decimal point (.) indicate a more specific topic in the subject area; in this case .03 is the number for the Persian Wars.

    Numbers after the space indicate where the item is shelved in relation to other books on the same topic; in this case it is the third book at 938.03

    938.03 3 as it appears on the computer screen, displays on the book spine as:
    938.03
    3

    Some older materials do not have numbers after the decimal. See below how they are shelved.

    Broad subject areas may have Dewey numbers with three digits and no decimal point, eg 500 377, see below how they are shelved.

    Some items by or about particular artists, philosophers, composers or literary authors may have more complex call numbers, eg:

    823.91 S584 J7 1
    appears on the
    book spine as:
    823.91
    S584
    J7
    1
  • indicates an English work of 20th century fiction
  • is the author, Alan Sillitoe's, number
  • is the seventh work by him
  • is the first item acquired by the Library
    		•

    Other numbering systems

    Some collections within the Library are arranged by different numbering systems, eg:

    Storage numbers include      DE 11176      DG 10162      IMP 209060
    Rare Books and Special Collections Library numbers include      1687.6      B605Macd      STC 2955
    East Asian Collection numbers include      EA 2257.4      EA 2252.11
    Conservatorium Library numbers include      P4 BEE 64      CD20B BEA 3

    Note: The Conservatorium Library uses an Alpha-Numeric system classification system for Music, CDs and Vinyl Records.
    The call number for a Piano Sonata by Beethoven P4 BEE 64 would be constructed in the following way:

    • A letter of the alphabet followed by a number represents the instrument, and the musical genre: P4 Piano Sonatas
    • The first three letters of the composer's name: BEE Beethoven
    • Shelf running number: 64

    A similar system is used for recordings but with a prefix (CD or KR)

    How call numbers are shelved

    Items without decimal points are shelved before items with decimal points, eg: 301 987 would be shelved before 301.01 3

    Numbers after the decimal point are treated as decimal numbers, eg: 016.001 4 would be shelved before 016.01 2, which in turn comes before 016.1 2

    Call numbers with numbers after the space are shelved before call numbers with letters after the space.

    Some call numbers have only a Dewey number with no book number, eg 823.91. These come before all other books at that number.

    Some call numbers have a three-letter author identifier after the Dewey number eg 823.91 SMI. These come after any books with numbers after the class number.

    For example:

    823.91
     
     
     
    		before
    823.91
    2
     
     
    		before
    823.91
    32
     
     
    		before
    823.91
    A2
    J3
     
    		before
    823.91
    A152
    J7
    1
    		before
    823.91
    A1591
    J1
    1
    		before
    823.91
    B146
    J7
    1
    		before
    823.91
    SMI
     
     

    Prefixes

    Some call numbers have prefixes which indicate that the items are shelved as separate sequences. These include:

    Literature:
    English literature, 820-829, is followed by separate sequences of three other literatures in the English language: A for Australian, C for Canadian and S for South African literature, eg: A823.91 K76 J2 1

    NB: This number may appear on some book spines as:
    823.91A
    K76
    J2
    1

    Music:
    Works on music (780-789) are followed by a separate sequence of music scores with the prefix M.

    Folios (F) and Quartos (Q):
    See below under Locations.

    Locations

    Locations indicate which library or in which part of the library an item is located. They include the library name (eg Fisher, Law) and often a sub-location (eg Research, Undergraduate, Reference). Thus, an item located in "Fisher Research" is held in the Research Collection of Fisher Library.

    LOCATION CALL # STATUS
    Fisher Research  851.15 XG24 1    CHECK SHELF

    Common locations are:

    AUDIOVISUAL (AV, MIC): Cassettes, microfilms, videos and other material requiring special viewing or listening equipment; usually shelved separately.

    SHORT LOAN: A collection providing course reading for both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

    RESEARCH (RL): Material that supports teaching and research.

    RESERVE: (Special or Closed): Usually very short loan (1-2 hours) collections designed to ensure the availability of material in high demand.

    FOLIO (F): Larger books, sometimes shelved separately. In Fisher Library they are on Floor 9.

    QUARTO (Q): Larger books, sometimes shelved separately.

    REFERENCE: Material such as encyclopaedias, dictionaries and indexes for specific subjects are held in the Reference collections. These are not for loan.

    STORAGE: Lower-use material kept off-site, using storage facilities in Sydney and in Canberra.

    For further information ask Library staff.