Call Numbers
image of book spine with a call number

A "call number" is a combination of letters and numbers that group books together on a library shelf by subject and author. Academic libraries use the Library of Congress call numbers. Most public libraries use the Dewey Decimal call number system. A call number is simply a book's address on the shelf.

The item you want may be found in one or more UH campus libraries (see Location below). An example from Hawai'i Voyager:


image of a Voyager book citation


The Status of an item indicates whether or not it is available ("Not Checked Out") or unavailable ("Checked Out - Due on 10-11-07," "Missing," etc.).

You may visit any UH library and use your campus library card to borrow books. You may also arrange with your campus library to borrow a book from another library.

If you need assistance in finding an item on the shelf, seek assistance at the Reference or Circulation desks at your library.

4.2 The example call number in the graphic at the top of the page begins with the letters HQ. Use the Library of Congress Classification System link above to determine what broad subjectHrepresents and what narrower subject HQ represents. List both here:



You will use the first book citation you pasted on the previous page to answer the following three questions:

Your book citation:

4.3 Using the call number for this citation and Library of Congress Classification link, find the subject area that corresponds to the one- or two-letter call number designation and enter it here:  



4.4 Select a library location for your book (the name of the campus library where the book is available is displayed after Location: e.g., Kauai CC, Honolulu CC, UH-Hilo) — enter the location here.



4.5 Your book may be shelved in a particular collection or building at the library you have chosen, e.g., Reference, Hawaiian, READ, Hamilton, etc. This information follows the name of the campus library, e.g., "Location: UH Hilo Hawaiian." Enter the collection name here: