- When to search by call number
- How to search by call number
- Finding a specific item
- Browsing by call number
- Call number prefixes
- Finding a thesis by call number
- General tips for searching the catalogue
When to search by call number
The call number is a number which is assigned to all works, locating them together by topic on the shelf. The result of call number search is a list of items arranged in the order they are shelved.
Use this search if you know the complete call number of a particular item. It is the quickest way to retrieve the record.
Use this search if you know the classification number of the topic you are interested in, and wish to "browse" the shelves electronically. This search is a useful alternative to SUBJECT searching, because you will find other works related to your topic of interest, in the same call number area.
The Library uses a variety of call number systems to organise books and other materials. The Dewey Decimal Classification is used for most materials.
Examples are given below of call number searches for different materials:
| Call number search for a: | Search example: |
|---|---|
| Book | 901.9 1995 Fan |
| Journal | 300.18 P1 |
| Thesis | thesis 1996 par |
| Manuscript | ms0012 |
| Sound recording (CD) | cd0008 |
| Music score | score m939 kdv |
| Microfilm reel | r2716 |
How to search by call number
Finding a specific item
If you know the complete call number of a particular item, this search is the quickest way to find it in the catalogue. Type in the call number, from the beginning of the number, and include all punctuation, spacing and the decimal point.
To find the journal Science, type:
505 p38Browsing by call number
A call number search allows the shelves to be ‘browsed’ electronically for items on the same topic.
The result of call number search is a list of items beginning with your search term, arranged in the order they are shelved. The less of the call number you type, the more general the topic. For example, if you search by "3" you will retrieve records starting at 300 (social sciences); if you search by "34" you will retrieve records starting at 340 (law); if you search by "341" you will retrieve records starting at 341 (international law). To retrieve a list of items on a particular topic, search using only the part of the call number that most closely matches your topic.
To retrieve a list of items on law, type:
340 or 34Call number prefixes
Some call numbers are preceded by a prefix, as follows:
| J | Japanese Collection |
|---|---|
| N | Newspaper Collection |
| R | Reference Collection |
| P | Periodical Collection |
| Q | Quarto size |
| F | Folio size |
Finding theses by call number
All theses are assigned a call number consisting of "thesis" followed by the year in which the degree was granted. A call number search allows you to browse a list of theses by year of "publication".
To retrieve a list of theses "published" in 1999, type:
thesis 1999