Circulating Book Stacks

Yes, we still have books. While the library has embraced computer technology, it has not replaced paper and print. The books in the library that you may check out are housed in circulating book stacks. "Stacks" is just a fancy word for shelves and the books circulate not the stacks. These bookshelves are located on the first and second floors of the library and are arranged by call number using the Library of Congress classification system.

The Library of Congress Classification System organizes material according to twenty-one classes of knowledge. These 21 classes are identified by a letter of the alphabet (A-Z except I,O,W,X and Y). Classes are broken down into sub-classes by additional letters. Sub-classes are further broken down using numbers.

This system separates knowledge into 21 different classes.
Ex. T = Technology.

Classes are broken down into sub classes by additional letters.
Ex. TK = Electrical engineering (technology).

Sub classes are further broken down using numbers.
Ex. 5101 = Telecommunications

Therefore books on telecommunications are found in the TK 5101 section, where telecommunications (5101) is seen as a sub class of electrical engineering (TK), which is a sub class of technology (T).

This sytem is in use at the library of Congress and most academic and research libraries in the United States.

For a more complete outline of the Library of Congress Subject Headings, please check the following URL: http://lcweb.loc.gov/catdir/cpso/lcco/lcco.html.

In the Scarborough-Phillips Library, the books are arranged in the following order:

Call Numbers

A - HJ = First floor
HM - Z = Second floor