How do I Read a Call Number?

In addition to the location, you will need to know the book's call number, which will lead you to where the book sits on the shelf. The Library's collection is arranged by Library of Congress Classification and the call number will be a combination of letters and numbers.

In the TCC Library Catalog, this book appears as: The city we became by Jemisin, N. K. 

The location and call number is listed as the Circulating Collection: PS3610.E46 C58 2020

Read call numbers left to right grouping letters and numbers together or, on a book's spine label, line by line.

Looking at PS3610.E46 C58 2020

1. Read the first line or letters in alphabetical order - PS
2. Next the whole number before the period - 3610
3. Then the combination of letters and numbers following the period - E46
4. If there is a second combination of letters and numbers following the period, read that together - C58
5. The last four-digit number is the year of publication - 2020

To find this book on the shelf:

1. Look for P then PS, this is in alphabetical order
2. In PS look for 3610, that's three thousand six hundred and ten, it will not be in the same location as three hundred and sixty one
3. Then look for E and its number group
4. Then C and its number group
5. Lastly, the year of publication, 2020

If you can't find a book where you think it should be, ask a librarian for help.