Skillman Library uses both the Dewey Decimal and Library of Congress (LC) classifications. Most books acquired before 1991 still have Dewey call numbers while those acquired after 1991 have LC call numbers.
Call numbers beginning with letters (LC call numbers)
Items with call numbers beginning with letters (e.g. CT100 .C8) are in several locations. If the location in the Library Catalog does not specify upper level or lower level, consult the list below.
| Catalog designation | Library floor |
|---|---|
| Skillman Ref | main floor |
| Browsing | main floor, periodicals room |
| Oversize | upper floor |
| Folio | upper floor |
All other call numbers beginning with letters are available according to the chart below
| Call number | Library floor |
|---|---|
| As-Fs | lower floor |
| Gs | main floor |
| Hs-Zs | upper floor |
Call numbers beginning with numbers (Dewey call numbers)
| 000s-900s | lower floor |
All items with a location Storage in the Library Catalog are available for immediate use and can be requested at the Circulation Desk.
A downloadable call number map is available. Maps are also available from the Skillman Library research help desk. If you can’t find an item you need, please ask for assistance at the Research Help or Circulation Desks.
| Letter | Subject |
|---|---|
| A | General (e.g. encyclopedia, almanacs) |
| B | Philosophy, Religion, Psychology |
| C | Auxiliary Sciences of History (e.g. biography, genealogy) |
| D | History: General and “Old World” |
| E | History of America |
| F | History of America (cont’d) |
| G | Geography |
| H | Economics, Sociology |
| J | Political Science |
| K | Law |
| L | Education |
| M | Music |
| N | Fine Arts |
| P | Language and Literature |
| Q | Science |
| R | Medicine |
| S | Agriculture |
| T | Technology |
| U | Military Science |
| V | Naval Science |
| Z | Library Science |
A more detailed table for LC subject classification may be found at the Library of Congress Classification Outline.
| Number | Subject |
|---|---|
| 000-099 | General, Computer Science |
| 100-199 | Philosophy, Psychology |
| 200-299 | Religion |
| 300-399 | Social Science |
| 400-499 | Languages |
| 500-599 | Science |
| 600-699 | Technology |
| 700-799 | Art, Music (all 700s at Skillman have been converted to LC classification) |
| 800-899 | Literature |
| 900-999 | History |
A more detailed table for Dewey subject classification may be found at University of Illinois Library’s Dewey Classification System page.
Occasionally, library users have problems finding books with LC call numbers because they’re unfamiliar with the way the call numbers are filed. Here are the rules for filing (and finding) LC call numbers:
Call numbers are arranged in alphabetical order based on their first segment, so the correct order is
If these alphabetical segments are the same, then the numerical segments are used and are read as whole numbers, so the correct order is
If there are decimals in this numerical segment, the decimals are read on a character-by-character basis, so the correct order is
If the first two segments are the same, the third segment is used and read on a character-by-character basis, so the correct order is
and
Dewey call numbers are arranged first in numerical order, with numbers before the decimal point read as whole numbers, so the correct order is
Numbers after the decimal point are read on a character-by-character basis, so the correct order is
If these numerical segments are the same, then letters and numerals in the second segment are used and are read on a character-by-character basis, so the correct order is