FAQ: What is a call number and why do I need one in the library?
-
Browse:
- All
-
Topics
- 7Academic Integrity & Plagiarism
- 66Academic Support, Writing Help, & Presentation Help
- 23Access/Remote Access
- 7Accessibility
- 6Archives
- 10Building/Facilities
- 6Career/Job Information
- 22Circulation
- 152Citing Sources
- 14Copyright
- 306Databases
- 21Directions/Location
- 34Ebooks
- 19Faculty Resources/Needs
- 7Hours/Contacts
- 2Innovation Lab & Makerspace/3D Printing
- 25Interlibrary Loan
- 40IT/Computer/Printing Support
- 27Library Book Search
- 3Library Instruction
- 33Library Technology Help
- 4Multimedia
- 16Online Programs
- 21Periodicals
- 22Policies
- 7RefWorks/Citation Managers
- 4Research Guides (LibGuides)
- 208Research Help
- 3Reserves
- 22University Services
- 3Website
Last Updated: May 28, 2025
Views: 1207
A call number is a short series of letters and numbers that indicate a material's location within a library and on library shelves.
Books are arranged on the shelves in the library by subject. We use the Library of Congress Classification System This link opens in a new window to assign call numbers to our materials so that materials on similar topics are next to each other on the shelves, and patrons and staff can easily find what they need. For example:
HG 4538 - Indicates a book whose subject is foreign investments.
HG 4538 .B675 2004 - Call number for Measuring Political Risk: Risks to Foreign Investment by Charlotte H. Brink
You need to know a book's call number in order to get it off the shelf in the library.
On the library's website, a book's call number is typically listed in the bottom right corner of the item record, as pictured below:
Need help finding a book by the call number? You can contact the library staff at ask@snhu.libanswers.com.
Was this helpful? 0 0
About FAQs
About FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are a self-serve option for users to search and find answers to their questions.
Use the search box above to type your question to search for an answer or browse existing FAQs by group, topic, etc.