EMPOWER - Module 4 - Website Overview and Library Catalog

Locating Items in the Library Building

 

 

You Must Find...

• Location:
  • NE State College that holds the item
  • Collection in which the item is shelved
• Call Number:
  • "Address" pinpointing exactly where is an item is located

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Call Numbers...

• Given to ALL items held in ALL libraries
• Organize the items into subjects
• Help locate items in the library

 

PSC Library Call Numbers are Located...

• Near the bottom on an item's spine
  • Most common
• In the top right corner of the item's cover
  • On thin items like picture books and sheet music

 

Important:

You may be familiar with the Dewey Decimal System from popular culture, K-12 school libraries, or public libraries. 

The PSC Library ONLY organizes its Curriculum and Children/Juvenile Collections with the Dewey Decimal System!

This tutorial does NOT explain the Dewey Decimal System.

ALL OTHER COLLECTIONS are organized with the Library of Congress Classification System.

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Library of Congress (LC) Call Numbers...

 

• Include 3-5 Components
• Read From:
  • Top to Bottom (on an item)
  • Left to Right (in the Catalog Record)
• State Broadest Location First, Becoming Increasingly Specific

 

 

 

Call Number Line/Component - see right picture for example

1 -

Contents of Component:

Letter(s) corresponding to broad subjects

Example:

UA

Corresponds with the subject, Armies

2 -

Contents of Component:

A number corresponding to specific subjects

Example:

11

Corresponds with the sub-topic, Organization, Distribution, Military Situation

3 -

Contents of Component:

Cutter Number:

Period/Letter/Number sequence

Corresponds with more specific details, like:

• Author name
• Item title
• More specific subject level

Example:

.P63

Corresponds with Author's last name, Prescott

4 -

Contents of Component

Either:

Another Cutter Number

Year of Publication/Release

Example:

2019

5 -

Contents of Component:

If Given:

Year of Publication/Release

Example:

N/A

 

DO NOT WORRY!  

If you cannot find an item, a Library staff member will be happy to help you find it!

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Library Items Are Grouped By Subject, Therefore...

 

Browsing the Library shelves may be quicker than using the Catalog!

1. Find one promising item
2. Browse the items surrounding it
   • Find similar sources without additional Catalog searches

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