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Introduction to Call Numbers

What are call numbers?

Call numbers:

• serve as "addresses" for library materials; they tell you where in the library particular items "live."
• are based on the Library of Congress Classification Outline where items are essentially grouped by subject.
• can often be found on a book's spine or front cover. (See Figure 1 below.)

Figure 1

Examples of Call Numbers (See Figures 2 through 4)

The library branch, and, if applicable, the department, is listed before the call number. For example:

• Boca Raton, Periodical (Non-Circulating) - This periodical is located at the Boca Raton branch and cannot be checked out.
• Jupiter, Microfiche (Non-Circulating) - This item is located in the Jupiter microform department and cannot be checked out.
• Boca Raton - This item is located at the Boca Raton branch.

The "Z" in Z673 .A5 B82 represents a particular subject (library science), just as the "F" in F1881 .J35 2002 represents another subject (history). Again, these are based on the Library of Congress Classification Outline. See the next page for details.

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