Library of Congress Classification System: So how do I find a book?

You can get answers by:

• Stopping by the Marx Library reference desk on the 2nd floor north.
• Emailing me at erugan@southalabama.edu
• Emailing the reference department at webref@southalabama.edu.
• Calling the reference desk at 460-7028.
• Using the chat box on this page - but check to make sure we're online.

Chat live or visit our Ask a Librarian page for more contact information.

Live chat hours:
Monday - Thursday: 9:00am - 9:00pm
Friday-Saturday: 9:30am-5:00pm
Sunday: 1:30pm - 9:00pm

Please be patient; we may be helping others at the reference desk. If we are offline, call or send an email to webref@southalabama.edu.

• The first line is always a Letter Line and is filed alphabetically.
• The second line is a Whole Number line and is filed numerically.
• Sometimes the second line is decimalized and continued on the same line or on the third line. Anytime you see a decimal point, always take each space separately (do not consider it a whole number).
• However, generally the third line is a Cutter Line. It begins with a decimal, then a letter. Always read each digit separately in the Cutter Line. Remember if there is a decimal point, take one space at a time. The Cutter Line may also be split on two lines, but when this occurs there is only a decimal point at the very beginning of the Cutter Line.
• Other lines may include volume numbers, copy numbers, dates or a combination.
• Letters before numbers.
• Nothing comes before something.
• No date comes before a date.

Remember...if you can't find a book; please ask a librarian! We are here to help!

Thanks Kent State Library Tutorials