Click on the map for a larger view. Also available in pdf.
Books and other materials in the Library are arranged by subject, and that is accomplished by assigning call numbers to the items. The call numbers appear on labels on either the spine of the book or the front cover in the lower left.
There are two common call number systems in use in academic libraries: the Library of Congress (LC) system and the Dewey Decimal system. The libraries at Knox primarily use the Library of Congress system.
In the LC system, major subject areas are represented by letters of the alphabet. Then, numbers are added to the letters to further narrow the item's subject area. This combination creates a unique number, the "call number".
Books on the same topic are organized near each other on the library shelves.
For example
You do not need to know subject areas and their corresponding letter/number combinations to find books in the library. (Although, later on, you will probably become very acquainted with the call number area in your chosen field of study!)
How materials are grouped together in other ways... locations, dvds, reserves, etc.
To fully understand how to located items in the libraries you must also know that the library has many "locations" within its walls. The "locations" designate collections based on either format or subject matter. The largest "location" is the Main Stacks location. Some other locations are:
When you find items in Knox Primo, be sure to note the location in addition to the call number so that you can go to the right place in the library to find the item.
View a map of Seymour Library to help you locate items.
