LibAnswers

A call number is a short series of letters and numbers that indicate an item's location (usually floor) within the library and on the shelves. 

Books are arranged on the shelves by subject. We use the Library of Congress Classification System This link opens in a new window (LC for short) to assign call numbers so that materials on similar topics are shelved near each other. Call numbers are printed on labels and then placed on the book spines. You need to know a book's call number to find it. It's like the book's address in the library.

Here's an example of how to read a call number on a pediatric nursing book RJ245 .P415 2019.

RJ--The first letters (or letter) are read in alphabetical order. The LC classification letter for the main subject class of medicine is R. RJ is the subclass lettering for pediatrics, so the use of two letters makes the call number more specific.

245--The numbers after the letters define a subdivision and are then read as a whole number (1, 2, 3, 42, 167 and so forth--in this case, 245 which equates to pediatric nursing).

.P415--Next comes a letter after a period (P), arranged alphabetically. The number is read as a decimal (.415). They are used to separate works on the same subject.

2019--the year the book was published.  

All medically related books in the Kaplan Library are on the second floor, or Main Collection -- floor 2 (Main 2 for short) as shown below by the search in the online catalog. Once an item is found in the catalog, click on the Find it button to pin-point the location in the library on a popup map.

Find it gives directions to this shelf row.

RJ 245 is located between these two call numbers, RJ 216 and RT 1, according to the range finder sign at the end of the shelf:

   And then the actual book: 

Still not sure how to find a book by call number? Stop by either the information or checkout desks in the library for help.