This section contains examples of call numbers. Please look carefully at these examples; some of them may require closer inspection than others.
The following example contains three call numbers that are are very similar except for one difference.
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QC |
QC |
QC |
You’ll notice that the only difference in these call numbers is the date. Remember that “nothing comes before something.” That is why QC 981.8 .G56 G578 comes before QC 981.8 .G56 G578 2002, etc.
Is the next example in the correct order?
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N |
N |
N |
N |
The example is in the correct order. If you thought that it might not be, chances are that is because of the Cutter numbers. The Cutter numbers are easy to confuse as being whole numbers. It is also easy to get "tunnel vision" when reading call numbers and neglect the alpha portion of the Cutter numbers. Here is the example again with the potentially confusing Cutter numbers in bold.
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N |
N |
N |
N |
Remember that Cutter numbers are always read as decimals. Which call number below is out of place?
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M |
M |
M |
M |
Did you find the book that is out of place? Look carefully at the bold Cutter numbers below.
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M |
M |
M |
M |
Because we read Cutter numbers as decimals, these two books need to be switched to look like the following:
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M |
M |
M |
M |
Cutter numbers can be very tricky....
It is very important to take your time when shelving and to look carefully at every aspect of a call number.
