Finding Books in the
ORU Library
Books and other materials in the ORU library are primarily organized using Library of Congress (LC)
call numbers.1 Each item in the ORU Library has its own unique call number on a label that is usually
taped on the spine of the book (or other item). To find an item in the library you need to know its
call number. Knowing something about the LC call number system is helpful in understanding
the organization in the library and how to find books.
About the LC Call Number System
Major Categories (partial list)
21 Major Categories (or Class)
 An English letter represents each division
 This is the first letter of a call number
A General Works
(Encyclopedias/Indexes/Almanacs, etc.)
B Philosophy/Psychology/Religion/Theology
C Auxiliary Sciences of History
(Archaeology/Archives/Genealogy/Biography)
D History: General/Eastern Hemisphere
E History: Western Hemisphere
F History: Local HistorySpecific
of America
etc.
sub-sections
Numerous Sub-sections
 Second letter of a call number represents a
specific sub-section within a major category
 Books about similar subjects have a similar call number.
B Philosophy/Psychology/Religion/Theology
BF Psychology/ Parapsychology/ Occult
BJ Philosophy, Psychology
BM Judaism
BR Church History
BS The Bible
BT Doctrinal Theology
BV Practical Theology
Example: The Revell Bible Dictionary
Call number: BS440.R484 1990
Major Category: B – Philosophy/Psychology/Religion/Theology
Sub-section: S – The Bible
Numbers further define the book's subject: 440 – Bible Dictionaries
The chart below shows you how to read a call number as it appears on a book label. Call numbers are
read one row at a time.
BS
Class Number
440
Subdivision
Read alphabetically.
Read as a whole number or a mixed decimal (a decimal with an integer).
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.R484
Cutter number
Read digit by digit as a decimal fraction
1990
Other designations
Volume numbers, part numbers, copy numbers, date
LRC-R
Location code
There may be a location code if the book is located somewhere in the
library other than in the main circulating collection. For example, “LRC-R" is
in the Learning Resources Center-Reference.
To read more about the LC classification system, visit the following websites:
 About.com — http://geography.about.com/education/geography/mbody.htm
(Search: “call numbers” or “LC Classification System”)
 Library of Congress site map — http://lcweb.loc.gov/help/sitemap.html
In addition to LC Call Numbers, the ORU Library uses the National Library of Medicine (NLM) classification system
and a special classification system for CMC curriculum materials.
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A cutter number represents the author, organization’s name, or title of the work.
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Where can I find the call number of a book?
ANSWER: The call number is listed in the ORU library catalog. (Also know as PAC, Public
Access Catalog.) Search the PAC by author, subject, title or other field. After you find
the title, access the record. Write down or print the call number and note the collection.
ORU PAC Record
Shows information about title and its copy
Collection/
Location
There will be a
collection code on
PAC for every item to
help you locate it. An
example of this is
"LRC 5th Floor"
(Learning Resources
Center, 5th floor).
Title
Status
Call
Number
If the item is
checked out, a due
date will be posted.
Where do I find the book in the ORU library?
ANSWER: Call numbers identify the book and its place on the shelf relative to other books.
Once you have the call number and location, go to the shelves to find the book.
The call numbers below are arranged in correct order, as they would appear on the shelf.
Remember that call numbers are read one row at a time.
BL
78
BR
13
.S132
BR
13
.S14
BR
13
.S253
BR
13
.T63
BR
31
BS
123
BS
132
.S456
BS
134
.B24
v.1
BS
134
.B24
v.2
BS
134
.G9
BV
123
findBooksLCCallNum created 10/2/00 Myra; rev. 1/08/02, 9/26/02
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