Understanding Call Numbers

What are call numbers for?

Each book in the library has a unique call number. A call number is like an address: it tells us where the book is located in the library.  Call numbers appear 

Call numbers on the spines of books and in the online catalog
Note that the same call number can be written from
top-to-bottom, or left-to-right. 

Walker Library, like many libraries in the U.S., uses Dewey Decimal Classification for call numbers. This system uses a combination of letters and numbers to arrange materials by subjects.

Reading Call Numbers

Read call numbers line by line

Call numbers are designed to group books of similar topics together on the shelf. If you find one book that piques your interest, always look nearby for similar books. Click here for more about the Dewey Decimal System.

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