1.2.3 Understand shelf numbers

A shelf number is used to locate the item on the shelves within the library.

The main classification scheme used by USQ Library is the Dewey Decimal Classification Scheme.

In the catalogue, the shelf number will be written all on one line.

For example:

This will appear on the label of the book as:

618.970236
Eld

 

Activity

Shelf number sorting  

 How did you do? The following details may help you better locate items on the shelf.

The parts of a shelf number

There are two important parts of the shelf number to note:

1. Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) number

   Example:  372.7044 Ben

   The first part of this shelf number is the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) number. The DDC number allows items on the same subject to be shelved together.

   The DDC number can be a whole number: 364 Bro... or a decimal number: 618.970236 Eld

2. Alphabetic sequence

   Example: 372.7044 Ben

   The second part of this shelf number is the alphabetic sequence. This is usually the first three letters of the author's surname. Whenever an item does not have an author (such as a movie or government publication) then these letters will be the first three letters of the first word in the title (excluding 'the' or 'a').

   NOTE: Several books may have the same shelf number, if they are written by the same author, or by authors of the same last name. for example:

   364 Has Haskell, Martin R. Crime and delinquency.

   364 Has Haskell, Martin R. Criminology.

    

    

    

    

   The Dewey number is followed by an alphabetic sequence which is used to arrange books that have the same number
   Literature titles often include a double alphabetic sequence as do music and programming languages
    
           Examples:

   Life of Bach	780.92 Bac/Wil	This ensures that the books on Bach will be shelved together and then arranged by author
   C++, a practical introduction / by Brian Hahn	005.133 C++/Hah	The books on various programming languages will be shelved together then arranged by author

No shelf number

Some items in the catalogue do not have a Dewey number but instead say Electronic Resource. This means that the book or journal is available online on your computer. Clicking on the title will take you an information screen of the item. Look for the green Holdings tab and the Internet heading and then click on the blue link.  (You may be required to enter your USQConnect ID and Password). If the shelf number shows On Order is means that the book has been ordered but has not yet arrived.

Special Locations 

You may sometimes find books that have either an “R” or an “S” before the call number on the spine of the book. These books are housed in special locations. “R” means that this is housed in the Library’s Reference collection located near the Information Desk. “S” indicates that this item is housed in the Library’s storage area and is probably either an old or rarely used item. Always check the Holdings on the information screen. If the location is Toowoomba Storage you will need to ask at the Loans Desk for the item to be retrieved.

You can now commence your background reading. How will you determine what key concepts to focus on?