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Unit 6: Concept of Call Number
Most other subject areas will have call numbers beginning with one or two letters. Notes
For most of the subject areas, the single letter represents books of a general nature for that
subject area (i.e. Q - General Science or D - General World History).
6.1.2 Numbers after Letters
The first set of numbers in a call number help to define a book’s subject.
“534.2” in the example teaches us more about the book’s subject. The range QE 500-625 are
books about “Dynamic and Structural Geology.”
Books with call numbers QE534.2 are specifically “Earthquakes, Seismology - General
Works - 1970 to Present”
One of the most frequently used number in call numbers is “1” which is often used for
general periodicals in a given subject area.
Example: Q1.S3 is the call number for the journal Science.
Journals are also given call numbers based on the specific subject.
Example: QE531.E32 is the call number for the journal Earthquake Spectra as QE531 is the
class number for periodicals about “Earthquakes, Seismology”.
6.1.3 Cutter Number
The cutter number is a coded representation of the author or organization’s name or the
title of the work (also known as the “Main Entry” in library-lingo).
Charles Ammi Cutter first developed cutter numbers using a two-number table. A three-
number table was developed in 1969.
In our above example, QE534.2.B64, the B64 is taken from the two-number table and
represents the author’s last name, Bruce A. Bolt. The book is Earthquakes.
Some books have two Cutters; the first one is usually a further breakdown of the subject
matter.
Example: QA 76.76 H94 M88 is a book located in the Mathematics section of the Q’s.
QA 76 is about Computer Science.
The “.76” indicates Special Topics in Automation.
“H94” tells us that this is a book about HTML.
“M88” represents the last name of the first author listed last name, Musciano.
The book is HTML: The Definitive Guide
6.1.4 Shelving and Locating
Items are shelved by call numbers - in both alphabetical and numerical order. The letters at the
beginning of the call number are alphabetical. The numbers immediately following are in basic
numerical order, i.e. 5 then 6, 50 is after 49 and before 51, and 100 is after 99. Thus,
QD 1 QD 2 QD 3 QD 29 QD 30
A 3 A 31 Z 4 C 3 A 2
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