Call numbers help libraries organize resources by subject or topic and locate them on a shelf. Many academic libraries use the Library of Congress system, which sorts items into categories that start with a letter and continue with numbers.

Here is an example of how to find a book by call number:

Design Library Stacks Floors 2-3 N6538.A4 C5361 2005

1. Design Library

This is the branch where the book is located. UO's Design Library is dedicated to architecture, art, and the histories of art and architecture. You can find books on art/architecture there. Most of these call numbers start with N (Fine Arts) or NA (Architecture), while some start with TR (Photography), TT (Handicrafts, Arts and Crafts).

2. Stacks Floors 2-3

This tells you that the book is in the stacks, somewhere on the 2nd or 3rd floor of the Design Library.

3. N6538

N tells you to find the section of the stacks that starts with the letter N and is somewhere in the 6500 range. This information is located on maps around the library and on the end of each aisle. Once you find the 6500 range, look for 6538. Then find the shelf/shelves where the labels on the book spines read N6538.A4.

4. N6538.A4 C5361

Continue reading the call number in left to right order, by section. Look for C5361.

5. 2005

Lastly, some books are republished, get new editions, etc. Use this publication date to double check if it is the version you want.