All books in Dinand Library are organized by the Library of Congress Classification System (LC). (This is different from most public libraries that use the Dewey Decimal System).
The Library of Congress organizes books by subject. Once you learn the Classification System for your subject, you can browse a section of the library for other books. The LC Classification System Charts are located in the Dinand Lobby and inside the doorways to the Mezzanine and Basement Levels, or you can use the Library of Congress website to browse subjects.
1. How do I find the call number?
1. When you search the Holy Cross Library Catalog for a title, you will see the corresponding call number. It will also tell you where the book is located.
2. Stacks maps are located at the Dinand Circulation Desk to help you navigate the library.
3. If you need help, please ask any librarian!
2. I have the call number. How do I find a specific book?
Each individual book has a call number. This can typically be found on the spine of the book, or sometimes on the front cover of smaller books. (In case the call number is faded or damaged on a book, you can also find it written in the first few pages of the book). When you search the Holy Cross Library Catalog for a title, you will see the corresponding call number.
As an example, the call number of a book may look like this: PS 3563 .O8749 B4 2004
The book is Beloved by Toni Morrison. With each set of the call number, the information about the book gets more specific.
1. The first part of a call number consists of one, two, or three letters. They are shelved alphabetically. The letters indicate the subject of the book, with consecutive letters indicating subsections.
For Beloved, the first letter P is for the subject Language and Literature. The second letter S is a subsection for American literature.
2. The second part of a call number is a whole number and shelved as in ascending order. Sometimes there may be a decimal in the second part. These will be shelved in numerical order as well.
3. The third part of the call number, often after a period, is a letter followed by numbers. These are shelved alphabetically by letter, and then ascending by number.
4. Occasionally, there may be a fourth line with a letter and number combination. These are shelved alphabetically by letter, and then ascending by number.
5. The last line may indicate year of publication, volume number, or additional copy.
3. Where are the books located?
Depending on the call number, books can be in various locations across the Holy Cross campus:
Call numbers beginning with REF: Dinand Main Reading Room (These books are In Library Use Only)
Call numbers beginning with A-G: Dinand Mezzanine
Call numbers beginning with H-Z: Dinand Basement
Exceptions:
Call numbers beginning with N, TR, and NEVINS: Visual Arts Wing on the first floor of Dinand Library
Call numbers beginning with Q, R, S, T: Science Library
Call numbers beginning with M: Music Library
All oversize books (call numbers with a +) are at the end of the first letter section in the library (Example: E185 +H533 2018 will be at the end of the E shelves in Dinand)
There are many individual exceptions to item locations. If you need help, please ask a librarian!