LibAnswers

You might have seen numbers on our books, shelf ends or catalogue and weren’t sure what they mean. These are called call numbers. In simple terms, they indicate where the item is within the library and generally what the subject it covers.

The numbers range from 001-994, with 001 starting from the first shelves of books you see when you come into the library with each shelf over on the ground floor going up to 698 with 700-994 being on the second floor.

However, each shelf has a handy sign on its front to indicate which types of books it contains, making it a bit easier to find.

So when you see a number on the online catalogue page, an example of which is here: 

Or are given one by a library staff member, remember that all it means is where in the library collection it is, try and find the shelf with the number you need and using that number, pick out whatever the item is.

The items will be in the right order.

If you are still a little confused about it, please come to the library desk, and we’ll point you in the right direction.

Please also have a look at our PACE tutorial to find out how to find books using a catalogue: Your First Assignment - Overview (itcarlow.ie)