Where is this Book in the Library?
About APL Call Numbers
Call numbers are the combinations of letters and numbers that libraries place on the spines of books and other materials to indicate where the item is located in the library. When you search for an item in the library catalog, you will find its call number on its catalog record.
|
LOCATION |
CALL NO. |
STATUS |
|
AVAILABLE |
Collection Codes
Most call numbers at APL begin with a two- to eight-letter collection code. These codes indicate broad types of materials that are shelved together within the library. For instance, a call number that begins with the collection code "FIC" means the item is located in the Fiction section; one that begins with “BIO” (as in the example above) means the item is located in the Biographies section.
Collection codes most commonly used at APL are:|
FIC |
Fiction section (shelved in order by authors' last names) (main floor) |
|
JUV |
Children's Room (main floor) |
|
YA |
Young Adult section (main floor, TeenSpace) |
|
BIO |
Biographies section (top floor) |
|
REF |
Reference section (top floor) |
|
CAGE |
Local History and Genealogy section (top floor) |
|
REF RDY |
Ready Reference (these are part of the reference collection; ask for them at the reference desk) (top floor) |
|
PER |
Periodical (a magazine or newspaper); most of these - except the newest issues on display in plastic binders - may be checked out (main floor, Grand Reading Room) |
|
ON ORDER |
The item has been ordered, but is
not ready for check-out because it has not yet been received or processed
(these items may be placed on hold by using the "Request"
button) |
|
PBK |
Paperback section (main floor, behind Fiction section) |
|
ANR |
Adult New Reader section (top floor) |
|
DVD |
DVD movies section (main floor, lobby area) |
|
CD |
Music CD section (main floor, historic wing) |
Nonfiction Materials
Items that begin with a call number (such as BL 624, or T 330, or HQ 1421) that does not start with a collection code like the ones listed above are nonfiction materials and are shelved in the Library’s nonfiction section on the second floor.
|
LOCATION |
CALL NO. |
STATUS |
|
AVAILABLE |
APL shelves its nonfiction materials according to the Library of Congress Classification System. This system assigns a broad nonfiction subject area to each letter of the alphabet. For a list of the subject areas assigned to each letter, click here.
Location and Status Fields
Before you jot down an item's call number, you should check the Location and Status fields to the left and right of the call number. The Location field provides additional information about where in the building the item is located; the Status field tells whether the item is available on the shelf, is checked out, or is non-circulating.
|
LOCATION |
CALL NO. |
STATUS |
|
DUE 05-19-09 |
If you need help locating an item within the library, please ask a staff member at the nearest service desk.