Tutorials:

The following explanation uses the book Talking Tombstones and Other Tales of the Media Age by Gary Gumpert, as an example. The call number for this book is P94 .G86 1987.

P	The first line of a LC call number contains letters and is ordered alphabetically. For example, A, B, C, CS, L, LB, LCS, P, PN, etc.
94	The second line of the LC call number is always a number and is ordered numerically. For example, 45, 82, 744, 744.2, 9064.
.G86	The following line or lines contain a letter and a number and are read first alphabetically and then in decimal numeric order. For example, .B2, .B26, .B263. .B4, .G10, .G1001.
1987	Often, the components of a call number are followed by a year. Also, a copy number or volume number can be added as part of the call number.

To find an item on the shelf using a call number, you must read each part of the call number, line by line, starting with the first line until you have put the entire call number in order. Reading the table below from left to right, the following call numbers are in correct shelf order.

P 94 .G86 1987

P 94.5 .A372 U578 1994

P 151 .P6 1991

PA 3 .L3

Ref PD 25 .N6 no. 56

PD 5075 .B4 c. 2

PE 1072 .B76 1990

In the online catalog there are four things to note when you find the record for a book that you wish to see. First, note the COLLECTION, HU (Hollins University) or RC (Roanoke College). This is the information in the LOCATION box to the left of the call number. Second, check for actual location, this information follows the collection information in the LOCATION box. (i.e. Ref, Folio, Juv, Media, etc.) Third, note the entire call number. Some subject areas have a few similar call numbers and some have many. And, forth, note the box to the right of the call number, which lists the STATUS of the item. (Available, Due mm/dd/yy, missing, etc.

If the book you need is located at Roanoke College, use the button labeled "Request this item". Fill in your name and your barcode from your library key tag.

For items in the Wyndham Robertson Library, the ground floor houses the Media collection; the first floor houses the Reference collection and the Government Documents collection; on the second floor are the GENERAL COLLECTION call numbers between and the items with LOCATION FOLIO; on the third floor you will find the GENERAL COLLECTION call numbers A - L; also on the third floor are the LOCATIONS JUVENILE, CHILDREN'S ALCOVE, SPECIAL COLLECTIONS, and ARCHIVES.

Once you have located the collection area, follow the shelf tags to the call number range. The shelf tags show the first and last call number of the items on that range of shelves. Then use the call number to locate the item itself on the shelf.

If you have any trouble locating the item or items you need, please ask for assistance at the Reference Desk or at the Circulation Desk.