Introduction to Academic Libraries: Locating a book by call number

Libraries use classification systems to organize books on the shelves. A classification system uses call numbers, a series of letters and/or numbers, to tell you what the book is about and where you can find it. 

Most high schools and public libraries use the Dewey Decimal System, but Cornell University Library (CUL) and other academic and research libraries use the Library of Congress Classification (LCC) System. Don't worry! You don't have to memorize this system, but understanding its structure can help you find books faster. 

The important thing to remember is that books are arranged by subjects; that means that similar topics are grouped together on the shelves. This arrangement leads to "serendipitous browsing:" if you find a good book in the library catalog, and then you locate it in the stacks, you might notice an even better book nearby! 

Use the Olin & Uris interactive stacks maps to locate your book, or use the posted maps available by the elevators and on each floor.