How do I find a book on the shelf?
Answer
A book's call number is like an address for a book. Books on similar subjects are shelved together.
The ACTC Library's books are arranged alphanumerically using the Library of Congress Classification System. This means each book is assigned a combination of letters and numbers, based on subject, and has its own unique place on the shelf.
For example, the call number for A random walk down Wall Street: the time-tested strategy for successful investing / by Burton Gordon Malkiel is: HG4521 .M284 2019
The call number on the book's spine looks like this:
HG
4521
.M284
2019
where the 1st 2 lines pertain to the subject. The 3rd line is called the Cutter numbers. The last line is the date of publication
HG - The first 2 lines pertain to the subject:
4521 Economics & business, the history of investment
.M284 - The Cutter number is a decimal, so .M284 would shelve before .M3.
2019 - Date of publication
Some call numbers include an additional Cutter number as in the below example for American Dirt / by Jeanine Cummins:
PS - The first 2 lines pertain to the subject:
3603 American literature since 2001
.U663 - 1st Cutter number
A64 - 2nd Cutter number, also a decimal.
If all of the call number above this Cutter number is the same, A64 would shelve after A5555 and before A7.
2020 - Date of publication
The ACTC Library Book LibGuide includes a video "Reading a Call Number (Library of Congress)".
See Library of Congress major subject categories for more detailed information about the the 1st 2 lines of the call number.
Search for books using the Search Box on the Library's homepage. After searching, select the Location (Ashland CDC or Ashland TDC) from the list of facets. If the book you want is not listed, consider requesting an Inter Library Loan. If available from another library, it may take 2 to 4 weeks for delivery.