HI481 History Research Seminar: Print Books

How do I read a call number?

• Follow the letters alphabetically. For example, HD will be past the H's, the HA's, the HB's, and the HC's.
• Follow the numbers numerically. For example, HD4904 will be past the HD's with 2- and 3-digit numbers after it. Rather than going digit by digit, this is four thousand nine hundred four, so you'll have to go far past forty-nine and four hundred ninety to get to the four thousands.
• Any other letters and numbers, continue to follow alphabetically and numerically.

See our Understanding Call Numbers guide for more information: 

How do I locate a physical book on the shelf?

Prefer a flowchart? ​Click here.

1. Find the book in the Library Catalog. (See the "How do I find out if the library has a book?" FAQ for help.)
2. Check the Status.
   • AVAILABLE: it should be on the shelf, and you can check it out.
   • LIB USE ONLY: it should be on the shelf, and you can use it in the library, but can't check it out.
   • DUE XX-XX-XX: it is currently checked out and due on the date listed.
   • NEW BOOK DISPLAY / OTHER DISPLAY: it is on one of our displays, but you can still check it out. Ask at the circulation desk if you need help locating the proper display.
   • Something else: If the status is something else and you're not sure what it means, ask at the Reference Desk or Circulation Desk.
3. If the book isn't checked out, take note of the Location and Call Number.
   • Location tells you which section of the library it is in.
   • Call Number tells you where on the shelf in that section it is.
   • Example: Most of our books are in the General Collection, and QL's are on the upper level.
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4. Go to the Location in the library.
   • General Collection:
     • ​If the call number starts with A through DK, on the Main Level past the Reference Desk.
     • If the call number​ starts with DK through LT, on the Upper Level along the back wall of the library.
     • If the call number​ starts with M through TX, on the Upper Level along the front wall of the library.
     • If the call number​ starts with U through Z, on the Lower Level along the front wall of the library and to the right as you approach it, in the moveable shelving.
   • Reference: on the Main Level, the wooden bookcases around the Reference Desk in the center of the library. Call numbers start with A on the outside of the short shelves on the left, and wrap around to end with Z on the outside of the short shelves near the drinking fountain.
   • Reserves: at the Circulation Desk on the Main Level. Ask the worker there, and you're done!
   • Reading Room: on the Main Level, the room that looks out on Abbey Church. The Reading Room collection is on the short wall nearer the library entrance.
   • Curriculum (Lower Level): on the Lower Level, in the shelving to the left if you walk off the elevator.
   • Curriculum Juvenile (Lower Level): on the Lower Level, in a little room just to the left if you walk off the elevator.
   • Oversize: on the Lower Level in the moveable shelving, or on the Upper Level in the shelving by the railings overlooking the atrium.
   • Something else: a location other than those listed, ask at the Reference Desk or Circulation Desk.
5. Look at the labels on the ends of the shelves to find the row containing your call number.
   1. Follow the letters alphabetically. For example, HD will be past the H's, the HA's, the HB's, and the HC's.
   2. Follow the numbers numerically. For example, HD4904 will be past the HD's with 2- and 3-digit numbers after it. Rather than going digit by digit, this is four thousand nine hundred four, so you'll have to go far past forty-nine and four hundred ninety to get to the four thousands.
6. Once you've found the row that contains your call number, look at the books on the shelves to hone in on your number.
   1. Any other letters and numbers, continue to follow alphabetically and numerically.
   2. From the bottom of a shelf, numbering continues at the top of the next column.
7. And hopefully you've found your book! If you don't see it, feel free to ask at the Reference Desk. The book might be missing, or it sometimes helps to have another set of eyes.