Understanding Call Numbers: Introduction

What is a call number?

At HKBU Library, every physical library resource (e.g. a printed book, DVD, music CD, journal issue, etc.) has a unique call number.

A call number is a string of numbers which consists of:

• a subject classification number,
• an author reference,
• and optionally the year of publication.

Some call numbers also contain:

• volume numbering (e.g. v.1, pt.1, 2016/17, 2015 Dec, etc.),
• copy ID (e.g. c.2) at the end,
• and the name of a library collection (e.g. RHK, S, AVI, AHC, etc.) either at the end or beginning of the string.

Items in the Library are arranged according to their call numbers. In other words, a call number gives the exact "address" of a library item. You may find the call number of the item you want from OneSearch first, and then use it to find the corresponding bookshelf, and the item. Every item has a call number label stamped to it. For example, the call number label of a book is stamped on its spine.

In the OneSearch record, the text [LC] is added to call numbers which use the Library of Congress Classification system. This is to help you distinguish them from another similar-looking classification system previously used by the Library, which also uses letters as subject classes. These older call numbers don’t have the [LC] text.

The name of library collection e.g. [R], [RHK], [T], [LargeSet], etc. appears at the end of a call number which uses the Library of Congress Classification system. The Library does not put the name of library collection in English letters at the beginning of the call number in order to avoid confusion with subject class letters.

This Guide is the result of a collaborative effort between library staff from the Information Services and the Metadata and Cataloguing Services Cluster.

Need Help ?

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visit User Services Counter (Level 3) of the Main Library.