Call Number Search

• Use this search to locate materials by their unique shelving numbers.
• Call number searching is possible on both the Search Tab and the Guided Search Tab
• Shelving numbers are often created using classification systems such as

  Library of Congress Classification (LC) - e.g., DG736 L49 1995

  Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) - e.g., 796.342092 T454d

• LC and DDC numbers arrange materials on the library shelves by subject to enable browsing. Some libraries use other shelving numbers, such as the Superintendent of Documents numbers or accession numbering which do not arrange materials by subject.

Search Tips:

• Case does not matter.
• Punctuation and spacing do matter. In general, punctuation and spacing of call numbers should be entered as they appear in catalog records.
  • In searches for call numbers containing a decimal extension, the . (period) must be included (e.g., HG76.3 U5 R48 1994 or 796.342 T468a)
  • In searches for LC call numbers containing a "double cutter" (that is, more than one letter/number combination appears after the class number), a space must be included before the second letter, (e.g., HQ76.8 U5 N38 1994). Due to inconsistencies in the call number data depending on the data source, try entering a call number with no space before the second cutter if you do not locate the record when entering it with a space, e.g., try PS508.W7E83 if PS508.W7 E83 does not work.
  • In searches for call numbers that contain a date, a space should be included before the date. (e.g., SF426.C65 1991].
• Searches are automatically truncated; do not use the question mark (?) for truncation.
• Complete or partial call numbers may be entered for catalog records relating to a certain subject. If a search for a known number does not produce satisfactory results, try entering only the first part of the call number.
• In LC call number searches, always include at least one numeric character in the search term. Searches on partial call numbers that lack numeric characters may not bring you to a point in the browse list that is close to the subject of interest. Instead of searching under "P" or "PQ" try "PQ139."
• NOTE: Search Limits cannot be applied to Call Number searches.
• Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) do not function in Call Number searches.
• Results are displayed in a Titles List beginning with the one you entered at the top. You may then move forward or back, as if you were browsing the shelves, by using the Next or Previous button. Note that each page is renumbered with number one at the top.
• Books on a particular subject can be retrieved by a general call number search. To retrieve a list of books on topic, search the first part of the call number, also known as the classification number.
• Advanced call number searches may be done using the MOTH field coded Keyword Boolean search.

Call Number Search (Search Tab)

1. Select "Call Number Search" from the Search by: box.
2. Type in your search terms in the Search for: box.
3. Click or press the ENTER key.

Call Number Search (Guided Search Tab)

1. Type a Call Number heading in a Search for: box.
2. Select "Call Number" from the corresponding Search by: option drop-down menu.
3. Click or press the ENTER key.

• Go to   Guide to PILOT, Table of Contents

Send comments and suggestions to Dick Swain, rswain@wcupa.edu

These pages last updated on 14 December 2000