The Library uses the Library of Congress classification system. If you're not familiar with LC call numbers, they can seem a little confusing, but don't worry: here's a quick explanation of how they work.
| Books are arranged first alphabetically, using the letters at the start of the call number: | LC487 .C43 1994 |
| Then numerically, by the numbers that come directly after the letter. These are read as whole numbers: in other words, 400 comes later than 43. | LC487 .C43 1994 |
| Then alphabetically again, by the letter that comes after the decimal point: | LC487 .C43 1994 |
| Then numerically again, by the number that comes directly after that letter. These are read as decimal numbers: in other words: 55 comes later than 541. | LC487 .C43 1994 |
| There may be another letter-number combination after the one with the decimal point in front of it. If so, you read it the same way: first alphabetically by letter, and then numerically in decimal order. | BX1795 .I57 E83 2000 |
| The four-digit number at the end of the call number is the publication date of the item. | LC487 .C43 1994 |
If you want to learn about which subjects are associated with which Library of Congress call numbers, see the Library of Congress Classification Outline.
