Call Numbers and Request an Item
Leanne Wells
What’s a Call Number?
Every item in our libraries has a unique call number. Call numbers appear in the catalogue AND on the spine of every book. Essentially a call number is the shelf address for each book/item in our libraries.
UNB Libraries, like many academic libraries in North America, uses the Library of Congress Classification System to assign call numbers to each item. This alphanumeric system uses a combination of letters and numbers to organize materials by subject.
Below is an example of a Call Number for a book from our UNB WorldCat catalogue:
If you link to the Library of Congress Classification System, you’ll notice that the first section of the call number represents the general subject of the book:
H = Social Science More specifically, HG = Finance
The letter-and-decimal section of the call number often represents the author’s last name. The last section of a call number represents the date of publication.
If the library catalogue notes the item as Checked Out, it means that someone has borrowed the book. It also shows the due date when the item will be returned to the library.
While students don’t need to learn the Library of Congress system, it’s important to know what a Call Number is and how to locate a book or journal using the library Locations Guide and Floor Plans.
Requesting Library Items
When you place a request for items from the UNB Libraries collection, library staff will collect the items and email you when they are ready for you to pick up from the main service desk at your designated library. Below are the steps to request an item:
- Access UNB WorldCat (the library catalogue)
- Search for the items you need
- Select the Request Item button, and your pickup location
- Once your items are ready, you will receive an email notification
As an example, let’s say you’re interested in locating the book title: Insane mode : how Elon Musk’s Tesla sparked an electric revolution to end the age of oil. Below are a few images that explain the process more fully:
Once you’ve located the title, open the full UNB WorldCat catalogue record as you see below:
Select the red Request Item button shown above. Once you login, information from the catalogue record will populate the request form automatically. Complete the form by submitting your UNB email and pick-up details for the designated library. UNB Libraries staff will locate the item and contact you by email when it is ready for pick up.
Need Help?
Having trouble locating a Call Number or want to learn more about the library’s Request Service? No problem! Contact library staff using Ask Us, the library’s online chat service (circled below). We welcome students who reach out to library staff and librarians for assistance.