Answered By: Kate Wimer
Last Updated: Aug 09, 2022     Views: 1262

The books in the Main Library stacks are organized by their Library of Congress (LC) call numbers, which are found in the catalog and on the book's spine.

Book record in Compass with the call number highlighted.The same call number on the spine of the physical book.

When searching the library catalog, you want to be sure to write down the complete LC call number in order to locate the book on the shelf.

Read the call number line-by-line to locate the book in the stacks:

Image detailing how to read Library of Congress call numbers line by line

Use the map of the stacks to find the location of the subject.

Fit the first two lines of the call number within the ranges provided on the stacks. For example, Z665 falls between Z8 and Z669.5, because numbers with fewer digits are shelved before numbers with more digits (e.g. both Z8 and Z9 will be shelved before Z89) so the book is shelved on this shelf:

Image of the book shelves, highlighting where the call numbers are on the sign and where the books in that call number range will be located

Can't fit in the small space between the shelving? See the Research Guide for information about the Moveable Shelving in the Library.

Go alphabetically and numerically until you find the correct class (Z), subclass (Z) category (665) and subcategory (.L69) until you find the book:

Image of books on shelf, highlighting the call number of the book on the book's spine

If you have questions or would like assistance, stop by the Research Center on the Main Level.

To learn more about using Library of Congress Call numbers to browse for books on your topic, check out our LibGuide on Browsing by Topic.

Finally, if you prefer, the Library can retrieve books that are in the Main Library for you using the "Request It" book paging system. Please refer to our "How Do I Request Items from the Library" FAQ for more information.