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Circulation Services: How to Find a Book

This guide is help to you navigate finding library services.

Locating Books in the Stacks

Library of Congress numbers organize books by subject, helping libraries arrange materials so users can easily find related topics together. Each call number combines letters and numbers to show the book’s subject, author, and publication details. This system supports efficient shelving, cataloging, browsing, and research in academic and large libraries.

 

 

Example from the Catalog

First find your book in the Library catalog. Note the level and alphanumeric designation. Except for Reference books all books are on the upper level.

 

 

 

 

Then head up to the upper level to look for your book ...

 

 

 

 

Finally, using the information from the catalog find the book by looking at the spines of the books ...

 

 

 

If you still cannot find your book please ask for help at the white circulation desk on the main level.