Formatting Call Numbers
General Information
Call numbers are written in pencil in all materials except Special Collections materials, Microforms, and MSU Theses. See the appropriate procedures for these materials.
Each part of the call number is written on a separate line. Volume and copy designations are included as part of the call number in the book, except for copy 1, which is not used. Volume designations are given in the vernacular, using approved abbreviations. Stamp the location over the call number for all locations except Main, Browsing, and Faculty Book Collection. (Never stamp the location or write in a Special Collections item.)
The 050 field is for call numbers assigned by the LC (Library of Congress).
The 090 field is for locally assigned call numbers which conform to LC form. These will override an 050 call number in the catalog. That is, if a record has both an 050 and an 090 call number, the 090 will display to the public. If there are two 090 numbers in a record, the incorrect 090 should be deleted.
The 099 field is for locally assigned call numbers that do not conform to LC form. 099 call numbers override both 050 and 090 numbers.
Small letters after the date in the call number:
a : facsimile reproduction (used after the date of the original; e.g., 1803a)
b, c, .... : 2nd, 3rd, ... editions of the same book published in the same year
z : exact year unknown; published sometime during the decade (e.g., 1950z)
Where to put the call number
Hardcover books
Pencil call number inside cover in the upper left corner of the inside cover if possible. Do not write call number on maps, illustrations, or dark-color paper. If necessary, write the call number in the upper left of the first clear left-hand page. Labeling uses the call number written in the book to type the label.
Paperback books
Pencil call number on the back of the title page in the center, or as close as possible. Avoid the edges of the page, since they may be trimmed before binding. If the book has a cover title, write the call number on the verso (back) of the cover, as close as possible to the center. For cover titles, also stamp "Do not detach" on the verso of cover, near the top.
Format for inputting LC call numbers (050, 090 fields)
Note: The spaces on either side of the |b show how a call number will appear in SkyRiver. In the catalog, those spaces are not used.
| Three-line call numbers | |
|
DA 664 .W33 |
Input as: DA664 |b .W33 |
|
KFN .A53 |
Input as: KFN0 |b.A53 "0" (zero) tells the computer there is a blank line. It should not be written in the call number in the book. |
|
BX 8735 1834 |
Input as: BX8735 |b 1834 |
| Four-line call numbers | |
|
DA 664 .W33 P4 |
Input as: DA664.W33 |b P4 |
|
SF 955 .R6 1801 |
Input as: SF955 |b .R6 1801 |
|
KT .A4 A36 |
Input as: KT0.A4 |bA36 "0" (zero) tells the computer there is a blank line. It should not be written in the call number in the book. |
|
JN 9663 1942 .A3619 |
Input as: JN9663 1942 |b.A3619 "1942" is a date. |
|
BR 743 .H5 Suppl.1 |
Input as: BR743 |b .H5 Suppl.1 No space after Suppl. because it is abbreviated. |
| Five-line call numbers | |
|
DA 664 .W33 P4 1977 |
Input as: DA664.W33 |b P4 1977 |
|
PN 1992.3 .U5 Z5 B4 |
Input as: PN1992.3.U5 |b Z5 B4 |
|
D 839 .G4 1976 Heft 42 |
Input as: D839 |b .G4 1976 Heft 42 Leave space after Heft, because it is not abbreviated. |
|
QA 1 .S48 v.48 Suppl. |
Input as: QA1 |b .S48 v.48 Suppl. No space after v. because it is abbreviated. |
|
QE 1 .S65 v.5 no.125 |
Input as: QE1 |b .S65 v.5 no.125 No space after v. or no. because they are abbreviations. No comma is necessary after the v.5. |
|
HT 106 .B9 Heft 103-110 |
Input as: HT106 |b .B9 Heft 103-110 Leave space after Heft, because it is not abbreviated. |
| Six-line call numbers | |
|
PT 2662 .O27 Z5 A3 1975 |
Input as: PT2662.O27 |b Z5 A3 1975 No comma is necessary after the A3. |
|
PT 266 .O27 Z5 1946 fasc.1 |
Input as: PN1992.3.U5 |b Z5 B4 |
|
G 8090 s250 .U5 Suppl. 1944 |
Input as: G8090 s250 |b .U5 Suppl. 1944 |
|
BS 192.2 .A1 1964 G3 v.32 |
Input as: BS192.2.A1 1964 |b G3 v.32 "1964" is a date. If there is a period before the 2nd cutter (G3), remove it. |
Format for local call numbers (099 field)
U.S. Documents numbers(from Gov. Docs., May 2003):
There is one space between letters (or letter combinations) and numbers, except when there is punctuation between the two. When there is punctuation between letters and numbers, no space is left.
- A 13.82:AE 2/3
- HE 20.8202:C 33/999
- Y 4.AG 8/3:100-65
If there is a number after a colon and before a cutter, there is a space after the number.
- Y 3.N 88:10 E 68
- Y 10.6:3 SE 9
Documents serial call # examples:
- C 3.1:995
- C 3.1:1/2
The only part of the serial call number entered in the record is the base number, which ends with the colon. The rest of the call number is the volume/year information, which is added to the label only, in the order Years, Numbers, Letters.
Microcopy numbers
|
FILM 14247 |
Input as: 14247 Microfilm |
|
FICHE 2631 |
Input as: 2631 Microfiche Fiche sometimes has an LC call number rather than following this format. |