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Borrow, Return, Renew & Reserve: 2. Locating book

Shows you how to locate & obtain a book in XJTLU library.

Locating a book

Once identified the book you are looking for in OPAC, note its Location and Call Number. If the book is available, please click the link “Locate this book” and then use the bookshelf layout and book's call number to locate it on the library's bookshelves. For instance, the example below shows that the book is located at SIP Floor4 15Sh1C1R with the call number EN/LB2395./C267/4.

Locate this book:

Look at the tags on the bookshelf:

Look at the call numbers on the book'spine:

But what do the different call number codes mean?

Libraries use classification systems to organize the books on the shelves. The Library Congress Classification (LCC) system adopted at XJTLU Library uses letters and/or numbers (call numbers) to arrange the books so that books on the same topic are together. This arrangement results in "serendipitous browsing": you find one book in catalog, go to shelf, and a better book could be right next to it.

What is a call number?
Each book in the library has a unique call number. A call number is like an address. It tells us where the book is located in the library. Call numbers can be found:

What does a call number mean?

The Library of Congress Classification arranges materials by subjects. The first sections of the call number represent the subject of the book. The letter-and-decimal section of the call number often represents the author's last name. And, the last section of a call number is often running numbers.

For example: EN/LB2395./C65/4 ("/" Separator)

 

Tip #1 Ebooks

You may be lucky to find out that the book you are looking for have an E-version. If the library has both the electronic copy and the print version of the book they will normally be displayed on the same record page as shown in the following record: