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). 2 .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. 2 A cutter number represents the author, organization’s name, or title of the work. 1 1 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 2