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TALON MODULE 5: Using the Library Catalog
How to Read Library of Congress Call Numbers

Library of Congress (LC) call numbers are read:

alphabetically on the first line.

D DA DS DT

numerically on the second line (by WHOLE number 1-9999, not decimals).

DS
® 33
DS
49
DS
558
DS
937

alphanumerically on the third line. The letters are arranged in alphabetical order and the numbers should be read as decimals.

DS
558
® .P56
DS
558
.P6
DS
558
.P63
DS
558
.S12

Sometimes there is another line with a letter and a whole number. This is a further subdivision of the subject.

Do you feel confident you understand LC call numbers? Try this quick exercise to see !


Concept & Design by Laurie Preston
Content Authored by
Laurie Preston & Jack Bales
Reviewed/Updated
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