First, take care to consider the location of the book as it was listed in our online catalog.
The location is important because it tells you where to begin your search. If the location is listed as 'Reference', you will begin your search on the Main Level, on the same side as the computers. If the location is 'Special Collections', you will proceed to the Archives Department in the Lower Level to ask for help viewing the item. If the location is 'Main Collection', then you will look on the Main Level or the Upper Level, where books which are available for check out are kept.
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Where are the books? By call number: 000 - 335 Main Floor |
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By collection: YA Main Floor (last row, right side) |
Once you determine the location of the item, use the call number to locate your book on the shelf. In the Dewey Decimal System, call numbers have two parts as illustrated in the example below. The first number indicates the subject and the second part, consisting of letters and numbers, identifies the author and title.
The classification numbers are consistent throughout collections, so for example materials about weather will have the call number 551.5 in the main collection, children's books, and video collections. The call numbers range from the 000's to the 900's. There are signs posted on the ends of every shelf which tell you which call numbers are contained within that section.
Since the Dewey system is cataloged first by subject, when you find one book, you can browse the surrounding shelves for other titles like it that may be helpful for you.