Library Search User Guide

The Library of Congress Classification system is the most common classification system used across Emory Libraries. There are 21 main Library of Congress call number classifications or classes. Within these, there are also sub-classifications.

Example of a Library of Congress (LC) call number:

1. The very first letter describes the main LC class (subject area). Q categorizes this book as science. The rest of the letters and numbers making up the first group define the specific subject. In this case, QL is zoology and P7 tells you that this book is about the parrot family.
2. The second group of letters and numbers are created using the author or title of the book. In this case, the author has a surname beginning with J.
3. This is simply the year the book was published.

A Library Search catalog record with a LC call number will look like this:

Check out this guide for more information about how to locate LC call numbers at Emory.

There are 10 main Dewey Decimal call number classifications or classes. 

• 000 - Computer Science, Information, & General Works    
• 100 - Philosophy & Psychology    
• 200 - Religion    
• 300 - Social Sciences    
• 400 - Language
• 500 - Science
• 600 - Technology
• 700 - Arts & Recreation
• 800 - Literature
• 900 - History & Geography

A Library Search catalog record with a Dewey Decimal call number will look like this:

Books with Dewey Decimal call numbers will be located at the Oxford College Library. If convenient, you can collect this book from the Oxford Campus library or you can request it (though, subject to permissions; please see this guide). In order to request an item from Oxford, remember to login to Library Search if you have not yet done so. Then, click on Locate/Request This Item to find out your options.

The National Library of Medicine (NLM) Classification covers the field of medicine and related sciences. It is similar to the Library of Congress Classification in which letters denote broad subject categories and are further subdivided by numbers.

There are 36 categories within the NLM classification system found within the following ranges:

• QS-QZ - Preclinical Sciences
• W-WB - General Health and Medicine
• WC-WD - Communicable Diseases; Medicine in Selected Environments
• WE-WL - Body Systems
• WM-WY - Specialty Areas
• WZ - History (19th Century)

For further information, please see this guide.

A Library Search catalog record with an NLM call number will look like this:

Resources classified within the NLM are most likely found at the Woodruff Health Sciences Library. Remember to login to Library Search if you have not yet done so. Then, click on Locate/Request This Item to find out your options. If convenient, you can collect this book from there or - subject to permissions (please see this guide) - you can request it.

SuDoc stands for Superintendent of Documents Classification. It is a system developed and maintained by the United States Government Publishing Office. Most materials using the SuDoc system will need to be requested from the Library Service Center (LSC) which is a joint Emory Universities and Georgia Tech service.

Something to note about the SuDoc classification system is that it arranges documents by the agencies that produce them. The first letter (or group of letters) denotes the particular agency. For example a call number that starts with NAS would be produced by NASA.

Please see this guide for more information on the SuDoc system. (NB: This guide needs updating)

In the case of this resource, it is something that may also be accessed online. If you require a physical copy you can click on Locate/Request This Item to find out your options. (Please see this guide for further information).

Examples of local call numbers can be found in several Emory libraries.

For instance, you can find that Martin Luther's Das Newe Testament Deůtzsch (commonly referred to as the September Testament) has the local call number 1522 BIBL:1 in Pitts Theology Library's Special Collections.

Accession numbers are another example of local call numbers. An accession number is often assigned to an acquisition (such as a CD) indicating the order of its receipt.