Finding the books on the shelves
http://www.library.cornell.edu/olinuris/ref/findingbooks.html

Books are arranged on our shelves on various floors or stack levels in each of our libraries by call number.

Library of Congress vs. Dewey Decimal Classification

The Cornell University Library uses the Library of Congress Classification System (LC) to assign call numbers for library materials.

To retrieve an item from the library stacks:

1. Search the Library Catalog to identify call numbers for the items you want.

2. Note the library location, call number--including any plus signs thay may appear with the number to indicate oversize sections ("+", "++")--and status of the item. Continuing our example:

   Location: Uris Library Call Number: PS3568.U812 E4x 2001 Status: Not Charged

3. Scan the record carefully to note any additional location or status information. The item may be shelved in a special location, or on Reserve for a course, or charged out (on loan) to another user.

Special locations:
• Reference rooms (Uris Library Reference)
• Reserve desks (Uris Library Reserve)
• Periodical Reading Rooms (Olin Library Room 101)
• Graduate Study Rooms (Olin Library Room 404 - Medieval Studies Room)
• Oversize areas in the Olin stacks (+ and ++ areas)
4. Use a library's stack guide to find out where the books are shelved.



Uris Stacks Guide



Olin Stacks Guide

A Uris Library book with a call number starting with the letters PS should be on the shelf on Level 3 of the stacks. If you cannot find the book on the shelf, please ask for assistance at a Reference Desk. We may be able to help you find what you need.

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• Understanding Library of Congress Call Numbers Call numbers supply an item's "physical address" or location on the shelf in a library.

• Library of Congress Classification
  The letters and numbers that make up a Library of Congress call number represent subjects. Books with similar call numbers will cover similar subject matter and be shelved together in the stacks.