What is the meaning of a call number?

In the lower part of the spine of each book, there is a white label with the book’s call number on it. A call number tells users where the book is shelved and located; it is the combination of a classification number and a sequence number.

On the library website, call number is separated by a / between classification number and sequence number. On the label of a book, call number is separated into two lines for classification number and sequence number respectively.

Classification number consists of a letter and numbers, with the letter representing subject of the book and numbers representing the subclass under the subject.

Sequence number indicates the sequence that books of the same classification reach the library - the larger for the number, the newer for the book. For example, for call number I247.57/338, I247.57 is the classification number of the book, and 338 after “/” is the sequence number of the book.

In our library, Chinese books and foreign-language books with the same classification number are interfiled on shelves, with Chinese books followed by foreign-language books. E before the sequence number means the book is a foreign-language book. For example, call number I247.57/E 3 means the book is the third foreign-language book with the same classification number of I247.57 to reach the library.

Call number is located on the label in the lower part of the spine, consisting of classification number and sequence number. Classification number is the number representing a subject area while sequence number indicates the sequence that books of the same classification reach the library. Chinese books and foreign-language books of the same classification numbers are interfiled on shelves, with Chinese books followed by foreign-language books.

Meaning of letters in classification number (on the label)

The Chinese Library Classification classifies subjects and disciplines into 22 basic categories (represented by 22 letters of the alphabet), and uses classification numbers to reveal connections among disciplines.