Learn more about how the Cal Poly Humboldt Library can help
support your research and learning needs.

Stay updated at Campus Ready.

Skip to Main Content

Using Call Numbers and Finding Books

Finding Books on the Shelves

 

You can find books on the First Floor, Second Floor and Third Floor of the HSU Library

 

A call number is the address of a book or a periodical (magazine or journal) in the library. Our library uses the Library of Congress call number system for arranging most of our materials. Here is a breakdown of how they are organized by call number throughout each level:

 

First Floor: Reference books (call numbers A-Z) located behind the Research Help Desk

 

Second Floor South: Books with call numbers that begin with A-M are shelved on the south side of the second floor (to the left off the main stairs).

A - General Works

B - Philosophy, Psychology, Religion

C - Auxiliary Sciences of History

D - World History and History of Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, etc.

E - History: United States (America) (through call number E183)

F - History: United States local history, British America (including Canada), Dutch America, French America, Latin America / Spanish America

G - Geography, Anthropology, Recreation

H - Social Sciences

J - Political Science

K - Law

L - Education

M - Music

Note: the 2nd floor also contains the Juvenile Literature and Curriculum Collection

 

Third Floor: Books with call numbers that begin with N-Z are shelved on the south side of the third floor (to the left off the main stairs).

N - Fine Arts

P - Language and Literature

Q - Science

R - Medicine

S - Agriculture

T - Technology

U - Military Science

V - Naval Science

Z - Library Science & Information Resources

In the example we discussed in the previous sections, the call number for the book we searched for is PN1993.5.A1 B69 2012 (Cinematic Footprint : Lights, Camera, Natural Resources by Nadia Bozak).  Since this call number falls between the range of N-Z, we would find it on the Third Floor.

We've gathered a few links that may help you understand more about call numbers. Click on the tab above titled Helpful Tips.

 

(above image from The Perkiomen School)

Sample Books

BF
173
H333
2006

 
LB
3013.4
G55
1990

 
ND
553
P5
A66
2002
PS
1331
E48
2000

 
QE
363.2
N48
2000

 
TK
5105.875
I57
O35
2005
a book about Jungian psychology a book about school social work a book about Picasso's painting a book about Mark Twain a book about mineralogy a book about the Internet