Introduction to Wright Library

The Wright Library uses the Library of Congress call number system to organize the collection by subject. Catalogers assign specific call numbers to books and journals. Call numbers are printed on the spine or front cover of every book and journal in the main collection. The bibliographic records in the online catalog (OPAC) provide the call number for items in the collection. The call number indicates both the general subject and the location of the item.

Anatomy of a call number:

  Sakenfeld, Katharine Doob,
 Ruth 
        Louisville, Ky. : John Knox Press, c1999.
        THIRD FLOOR (CIRCULATING)
 BS1315.3 .S25 1999  

BS-letter line, describes general subject area (Bible)

1315.3-number line, narrows subject area (Book of Ruth)

.S25-"cutter" line, further narrows subject area or specifies author (Sakenfeld)

1999-year of publication