How to Read a Book's Call Number


Library of Congress Call Numbers are arranged alphabetically and numerically. Read a call number from left to right, top to bottom.

The first set of letters is alphabetical. H45
.B62
1990
HA126
.F99
1987
HB12
.I90
1975
HC13
.C55
1952
The following set of numbers is in numerical order. B45
.H432
1980
B457 
.K77
1967

B1200
.P95
A66
1990

B1231
.C33
I7
1981
The following letters (after the decimal point) are alphabetical.

KF456
.A43
1993

KF456
.B99
1990
KF456
.K99
1987
KF456
.L70
1990
The following numbers are in decimal order. Note that .C263 comes between .C26 and .C27. L901
.C25
1977
L901
.C26
1993
L901
.C263
1988
L901
.C27
1976
There may be another line of letters and numbers. These will be in alphabetical and decimal
order.
A publication date may follow. B1200
.P95
A65
1994
B1200
.P95
A65
2001
B1200
.P95
A66
1981
B1200
.P95
A87
1966


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