The Call Number box displays the shelf number assigned to each item.
This number is used to locate the item on the shelves in the branch library.

For more information on the Location and Status boxes see Item locations or Status of an item

Classification Numbers

The University of Queensland Library uses a numbering system for its items called the Library of Congress Classification Scheme (LC). It consists of letters and numbers which arrange all items by subject matter.

There is a logical arrangement to the formation of these numbers:

• Initial letter represents a broad subject category eg. History, Medicine, etc.
• Within each letter, further letters and numbers indicate the specific subject of the item
• A title identifier, also consisting of letters and numbers, is added to ensure the number is unique to the title
• The date of publication of the item is usually the final element in the number, unless
• it is followed by an extension such as a volume or supplement number, or
• it is replaced by a volume number, as is the case when an item belongs to a series which has been classified as a whole

How an LC number is constructed:
Title: Radicalism in the states
Call no.: JK2391.F32M68 1989

This system

• gives each book in the collection a unique location on the shelves
• groups books on related subjects together on the shelves, making it simple to locate related materials by browsing through the books around a certain call number

Shelving

Books with LC classification numbers are shelved alphanumerically. The first segment of a call number is alphabetic; the second segment is a whole number followed by a decimal point and a string of letters and numbers. Next may come the year the book was published, followed if necessary by any extension to the number.

How items assigned LC call numbers will be shelved:

BD	BD	BD	BD	BD	BD	BD	alphabetical order
495	495	495	495	495	495	495	whole numerical order
				.13	.5	.5	decimal numeric order
.L36	.L4	.T25	.T25	.E69	.A8A54	.A8B63	decimal alphanumeric order
1992	no.1	2000	2000	1996	1985	2001	year of publication/number in series
v.3			sup.1				call number extension

In these examples:

• the call number BD495.L36 1992 v.3 would be shelved before BD495.L4 no.1 because the decimal number .36 is smaller than the decimal number .4
• for the same reason, BD495.13.E69 1996 would be shelved before the two call numbers starting with BD495.5
• BD495.L4 no.1 would be used for the first volume in a series of which every volume will be classified at BD495.L4 rather than being given a distinctive call number
• call numbers in which the whole number is followed by a decimal point and letter would be shelved before those in which the same whole number is followed by a decimal number

For more information on classification numbers see Outline of the LC classification scheme