How is the library organized?
In order to keep our collection in order, the library utilizes a classification system. Classification systems help to arrange items in a methodical, organized way that makes it easy to locate items of interest. Like many Academic Libraries, SCF uses a system developed by the Library of Congress.
Library of Congress Classification (LCC)
The Library of Congress Classification system is used to determine where an item should be shelved in our library. There are 21 major classes within this system, and all are assigned a letter to represent their subject:
- A - General Works. Includes encyclopedias, dictionaries, and information about museums.
- B - Philosophy, Psychology, and Religion.
- C - Auxiliary Science of History. Includes Archaeology, the History of Civilization, and Geneaology.
- D - World History and the History of Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania.
- E - History of America and the United States.
- F - Local Histories of the Americas. Includes North and South America, as well as the Caribbean and West Indies.
- G - Geography, Anthropology, and Recreation.
- H - Social Sciences. Includes Business, Economics, and Sociology.
- J - Political Science.
- K - Law.
- L - Education.
- M - Music.
- N - Fine Arts.
- P - Language and Literature.
- Q - Science.
- R - Medicine.
- S - Agriculture.
- T - Technology.
- U - Military Science.
- V - Naval Science.
- Z - Bibliography, Library Science, Information Resources.
*Please note that there are no I, O, W, X, or Y classes.
Call Numbers
To find a particular book in our library, you will need the item's call number.
This number is unique to that item, and can be found printed on the spine of the resource. The first letter of the call number will always correspond to the LCC class that that item belongs to. The following letters and numbers help to keep everything organized and alphabetized on the library shelves.
Take, for example, this book on Florida's carnivorous plants:
The call number for this resource is SB432.7 .C66 2022, and it can be found in the Agriculture section of the library. You can use the online catalog's "Map It" feature to help you locate the shelf where this item is placed in the library.
