Birzeit University Library Like all other Academic Libraries in the world uses a special system to classify its books. It uses the Library of Congress Classification System. All books are assigned call numbers that consist of a combination of letters and numbers to identify the subject areas.
Understanding Call Numbers:
Have you ever wondered how library books are assigned their places on the shelves?
Did you know that the call number -- the number placed on the spine of the book -- is a code which provides valuable information about the book?
This page will provide an introduction to understanding and using Birzeit University library call numbers.
What are call numbers for?
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.
Note that the same call number can be written from top-to-bottom, or left-to-right.
Reading Call Numbers:
Putting Call Numbers in Shelf Order:
To understand how call numbers are put in order in Library of Congress Classification, again look at each section of the call number.
What does the call number mean?
Remember that 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, as you recall, the last section of a call number is often the date of publication.
Why is this important to know?
Because books are classified by subject, you can often find several helpful books on the same shelf, or nearby. For example, within the same call number LB2395, there are other guides for college study.
How Can You Find a Book on the Shelf at Birzeit University Library:
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Search for the book in the ONLINE catalog by author, or title, or subject, then browse the bibliographic information of the book.
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Write down the call number.
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Check for the book location (the floor location).
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Go to the intended floor in the library and search for the book using the call number you got. Keep in mind that books are shelved by call number, and shelves are divided into two parts: One part for Arabic books and the other for English books.
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If you face any problem in finding the book, please ask the Hall Control Employee.
See the example below:
Basic classes of the Library of Congress Classiffication System:
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General Works
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A
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Philosophy, Religion
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B
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Auxiliary Science of History
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C
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History. The Old World
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D
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American History
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E & F
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Geography. Anthropology
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G
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Social Sciences
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H
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Political Science
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J
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Law
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K
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Education
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L
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Music
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M
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Art
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N
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Labguage. Literature
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P
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Science
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Q
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Medicine
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R
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Agricultutre
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S
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Technology
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T
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Military Science
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U
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Naval Science
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V
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Bibliography & Library Science
|
Z
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