Technical Services Department Procedures Manual

Section 3A.4 :
Call Number Practices and Format

These are local practices.

“P” PRACTICES:

PZ numbers are not used — If Juvenile — see instructions for Juvenile Collection, if other, change call number to appropriate classification.

PS 8001-8599 Do not use. Reserved for National Library of Canada.

“Z” PRACTICES:

Z 1000 through Z 7999. Most libraries prefer to class with the subjects in other parts of the schedules.

Z 4 through Z 1039 are ok.

ZA 3040+ Information resources are ok.

“L” PRACTICES:

L call numbers for math and science books. Public Service and Education has requested that we catalog books on math and science from Q to L for “elementary” books that have a classification established in L classification schedule. For advanced books, secondary, etc., keep the Q number.

Other

Cutter numbers should only end in 1 or 0 (one or zero) when instructed to in the schedules.

Works with main entries beginning with Roman or Arabic numerals are generally cuttered between .A12-.A19

CALL NUMBER FORMAT

When checking call numbers be sure the call number is formated correctly. Generally, call numbers will follow patterns similar to those below.

A correct call numbers may look like this:

Example – on an OCLC record ……..….. 090 BX2380 ≠b .C3 1987 v.1

- on a Voyager bib. record ….. 090 ≠a BX2380 ≠b.C3 1987 v.1

In some call numbers you may see unusual formatting because some items – like constitutions of countries, works of music, conferences, etc. – may be arranged by year, work number, opus, etc. You may see legitimate call numbers that may look like:

***Call numbers that should alert you that something is wrong:

When in doubt — ASK!

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