What is a call number?

A call number is a group of numbers and/or letters put together to describe where to find every book in the library. A call number is located at the bottom of the book on the spine. Once you know the call number you are ready to find a book! Remember: Just because it is called a “call number” doesn’t mean it has numbers. Some call numbers are made up of only letters.

 

Fiction books are placed on the shelf in alphabetical order by the author’s last name. It is easier to find a favorite author when all of his or her books are in the same place. Nonfiction books are shelved by their subject category. If you are looking for a book about horses, the author is not as important as the facts about horses.

How books are shelved.
Books are shelved left-to-right, top-to-bottom— just like reading a book! Start at the left on the top shelf and move to the right until the shelf section ends. Then go to the shelf below and do the same. When you get to the bottom shelf, move up to the top shelf of the next section and continue, left-to-right, top-to-bottom.