Ask us
How are books organized within the library?
Answer
Books in the library are organized first by location, and then by call number.
For the book Beowulf, translated by Stephen Mitchell the record indicates:
- Location: McPherson Library
- Call Number: PR1583 M58 2017
The location for this book is McPherson Library 3rd floor. To find out where a book is located in McPherson Library click on the "Show Me Where" button in the right hand box of the record. There are 4 floors and one half floor in the Library as follows: lower floor, main floor, 2nd, 3rd and the half floor labelled 3M for third floor mezzanine.
The call number A starts on the 3rd floor mezzanine and the numbers wind down around the floors, ending with V (Naval Sciences) on the 2nd floor. Books starting with the MS (Music) call number are shelved on the 2nd floor, out of sequence but just above the Music and Media Commons. PS (Literature) start on the 3rd floor and ends on the 2nd floor. Reference books are found on the main floor.
Our curriculum material (for grades K-12) are shelved by Dewey Decimal Call Numbers and are located on the 2nd floor of the McPherson Library.
If in doubt check the maps of locations within McPherson Library.
Other locations within the Mearns Centre - McPherson Library include Special Collections, Reserves, Reference and Music and Media.
The Priestly Law Library is located in the Fraser building.
Find out more about the call number system here.