READING THE

LABEL
A guide to reading call numbers.

DUKE UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

 Understanding the Label
PS3611.I44
S38
2003
C.2

This line describes the subject of the book.

This line refers to the author's last name.

This line describes the year published.

This line describes the copy number.

The label on the spine of the book is referred to as the

"call number."
 Reading The Label

PS3611.I44
S38
2003
C.2

Call numbers and are read

from left to right and top to
bottom.
 Reading The Label
PS 3611.I44
When reading letters,
follow the alphabet.

P comes before PA. PA comes before PS.

PS 3611.I44
When reading numbers,
follow numerically.

3 comes before 36. 361 comes before 3611.

 Reading The Label
PS3611.I44 PS3611.I44
S38 S38
2003 2003
C.2 C.2

Continue reading alphabetically and numerically.

A1 comes before S3.

When reading copy
number,
S3 comes before S38. follow numerically.

When reading the

year, follow C.1 comes before C.2.
chronologically.