A call number is the number (which usually has letters in it) or the group of letters assigned to each item in the library. Every call number is unique. These numbers are designed to help you find the book, video, or magazine that you need.

The Salt Lake Community College library organizes it's collection using the Library of Congress classification system. 

Each book is assigned a unique call number which is placed on the bottom of the spine of the book.  That call number is also linked to the item in the library's online catalogue.

"How to read a call number" is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.by UC Santa Cruz Library

HD30.15 .S73 2004 is an example of a typical call number. If the book is marked "OV", it's in our oversize collection.  In the image below, you can see where to locate the call number in a catalog record. 

At the Redwood (Markosian) library, the non-fiction collection is located on the 2nd floor.  Shelves are arranged in alphabetical order and the letters contained on a particular aisle are on the end of each shelf.   Miller, Jordan and South are all single story libraries.

Fiction books are in a separate collection. Look for the "FIC" at the beginning of the call number. Children's books follow the same system, except that they have "CHI" in front of the number. At the Redwood (Markosian) library, these collections are located on the 1st floor.

Magazines are in bins by publication. Bins are on shelves in alphabetical order by the magazine name.  DVD's are numbered but are also subdivided into sections.   They are in numerical order on the shelves within the sections. Magazines and DVD's are also housed on the first floor at the Redwood (Markosian) library.

Reserve books are classified by the class number: ENGL 1010, MATH 1050, etc.  Ask for reserve books at the circulation desk.

If you can't find the item, talk to the library staff. We're happy to help you find what you need!