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Library FAQ

This resource is intended to help you navigate A&M-SA's library resources and your research process.

I Do Not Know Where to Find a Call Number in the Library

Locating the Call Number and Location of a Book

There are two things you need to know in order to locate a physical book in the library:

  • the library collection it's located at in the library, ex. Main Collection
  • the call number to find it on the shelf, ex. QC903 .S625 2015

You can find both of these items in the Check Availability section in books record in the library catalog.  You can view our library map to get a better idea of where it might be located in the library. The library staff at the information desk are always happy to assist you with locating a book in the library as well.

Also keep in mind:

  • whether our library owns a copy. You should see Held by Texas A&M University-San Antonio label if we own a copy. If it is not located at our library, click on the Request via ILL link to place a request to have it sent to library for free. 
  • the status of the book and if it is available to check out. If you see a green check mark and available, the print copy is available to check out. If not, click on the hold button to be next in line to check the book out.
  • browse the section on the shelf  for more relevant books. Your catalog search could lead to more than one call-number section to find books.

Availability and holding information in our library for the book climate change and society

What is a Call Number?

All print or paper copies of books in the library are assigned a call number, usually found on the book spine. The call number represents what the book is about and acts like the book's address on the library's shelves or stacks. Because books on the shelves are arranged in call number order, you will find books on similar subjects shelved near each other.

We use the Library of Congress (LC) classification system. LC call numbers are made up of letters and numbers and look something like this:

PR 8923 W6 L36 1990 c.3

Read the call number from left to right. The first part of a call number, PR 8923, consists of a combination of one or two letters and a number that indicates a specific subject area.

The next part, W6 L36, identifies a specific title within the range of books on that topic, 1990 is the date of publication, and c.3 indicates it is the third copy in the library.