The Auraria Library uses the Library of Congress (LC) classification system.  LC is an alpha-numeric system that groups books, journals and other materials by subject categories on the library shelves.  Every item, including e-books and full-text online documents, has a Call Number.

How LC call numbers are used

A "Call Number,"  is a location on the shelf, for each book, journal or CD-ROM.  Each item in the Auraria Library has its own unique call number that is attached to the spine of the book or a corner of the cover. A "Call Number" can be read "Left to Right," or "Top to Bottom"

How it looks in the online catalog (Skyline)

How to read call numbers [in this example]

• The first line, alphabetical, identifies the general subject area of the book.
• The second line, numeric, identifies the subject in more detail and is a whole number.
• The line before the last line puts items in author's last name order, alphabetically.
• The last line is the year of publication.

Why is LC classification important to know?

Because books are classified by subject, you can often find similar books nearby. Similar is not always the same. For example, within the call number Z 710, there are other library research guides. However, larger subject areas may be divided between two or more classifications because the cataloging identifies other aspects of the general subject. .  For example, books on various "Cultures," may be found in several subject areas, that is,  DT, E, F, GN, HD or PQ.

Acknowledgement:  Graphics Used and Adapted from the Honolulu Community College Library website.

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