• Call Number System in the Library
• Shelving Rules with LC Call Number
• Locate an Item in the Library

Call Number System in the Library

Library items are arranged according to the Library of Congress (LC) Classification system so that items on similar subjects are placed together on the shelves. Each item is assigned a LC Call Number, which helps you to locate it in the Library. The Call Number can be found both on the spine of the item and in 1-Search.

On the spine, the Call Number is displayed from top to bottom.

	LC Class No	P53.28
	Author No.	.C667
	Publication Year	2019
	Volume / Copy No. (if applicable)	v.1

In 1-Search, the Call Number can be found in:

1. Search Results Page
   
2. Detailed Record Page
   

Shelving Rules with LC Call Number

Items are arranged on the shelves according to the Call Number, from left to right, from top to bottom, in alphabetical and ascending order:

1. By the first row, the subject letters (alphabetically)

D → DE → DF

D 2698 .K12 2004

DE 129 .D62 2007

DF 937 .A39 2000

2. Then, by the second row, the number as a whole number (ascendingly)

129.5 → 937 → 1259

DF 129.5 .D62 2007

DF 937 .A39 2000

DF 1259 .G129 2016

3. By the third row, the author cutter (first alphabetically, then in decimal ascendingly)

Alphabetically: 
C → G

DF 1259 .C62 2016

DF 1259 .G129 2016

As decimal ascendingly: 
.129 → .17 → .35

DF 1259 .G129 2016

DF 1259 .G17 2016

DF 1259 .G35 2007

4. By the fourth row, the year of publication

2012 → 2014

DF 1259 .M81 2012

DF 1259 .M81 2014 v.1

5. If applicable, by the remaining rows (e.g. volume and copy number)

v.1 → v.2
(c.1) → c.2

DF 1259 .M81 2014 v.1

DF 1259 .M81 2014 v.1 c.2

DF 1259 .M81 2014 v.2

Some items include a location prefix before the Call Number to indicate the collection they belong to. This does not affect the shelf order. Common location prefixes in the Library are:

• [AVM] = Multimedia Materials
• [LANG] = Language Examinations and Learning Resources
• [LBK]/[XLBK] = Large Books / Extra Large Books
• [LUH] = Lingnan Theses and Dissertations (Hong Kong)
• [LUG] = Lingnan Theses and Dissertations (Guangzhou)
• [REF] = References
• [RES2D] = Course Reserves (Available for 2-day checkout)
• [RES7D] = Course Reserves (Available for 7-day checkout)
• [SER] = Bound Journals, Journals and Popular Magazines

Locate an Item in the Library

1. Search for the item in 1-Search.
2. Select the item title to open the Detailed Record Page.
3. Click “LOCATE” to view the floor plan, which highlights the exact location in green, with details of the Call Number, floor, zone, and shelf range.

 
Floor Plan:

4. Go to the indicated floor and shelf and use the Call Number to locate the item following the shelving rules.

If you cannot find the item on the shelf, you can submit a request in 1-Search. Library staff will try to locate it, and you will be notified by email for your pickup if it is found.