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User Assistance / Library Instruction About Call Numbers |
Call numbers are the numbers you see on the outside covers of the books in the FIU Libraries. Call numbers are usually based on a classification system. In the FIU Library, call numbers are based on one of three classification systems:
Most of our books and periodicals have call numbers based on this system. The LC call number is a combination of letters and numbers looking something like this:
HA1252.A52
The first group of letters and numbers is the way LC organizes a book by subject. This is important to know when you go to the shelves. If you browse the area around a book for which you already have a call number, you may find other books related to your research interest.The rest of the letters and numbers basically assure that each title in the library has its own unique call number. Materials with LC numbers are shelved in alphanumerical order.
This system is used in the Government Documents area of the library for documents published by the United States Government Printing Office. Like LC, materials with SUDOCS numbers are shelved in alphanumerical order, but the SUDOCS call number looks something like this:
AE2.110:102-175
The initial set of letters represent the agency that produced the document. Therefore, all documents produced by the same agency will be shelved together. The numbers and letters following the agency code have a certain meaning also, but it is generally not important to know the complexities of the SUDOCS number. Ask the Documents staff for assistance with SUDOCS numbers.
The Audiovisual Libraries use an accession number system to keep track of the sound recordings, videocassettes, computer files, and other AV materials available to you. Examples of these call numbers include:
CDM 423 (audio CD)
VC 301 (videocassette)
R 2178 (record)
Some audiovisual materials use the LC call number, such as: music scores and some videos. Art slides use the Santa Cruz Classification, another alpha-numeric system. To obtain audiovisual materials, take the call number to the service desk in the Audiovisuals area and a staff member will retrieve the item for you.
Sometimes, you will see a number that looks like this:
ACN 4006
ACH 3429
These numbers will always say "Temporary Control Number." The status will show a message such as
"In Pre-Order Process" or "In Process." These materials are not on the shelf at either of the FIU libraries.
They may have just been ordered or they may be materials recently received by the library. In any case, these
materials are not immediately available to library users.Students, faculty, or staff, however, may request materials that are "In Process" at the Circulation Desk. When the material has been processed by the library's cataloging staff (usually within 24-48 hours), the requester will be notified that the item is available.
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