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How do I find a physical book in the library?

Need Help?

Ask a Librarian @
Betty Sue Jessup Library

501 College Drive
Charlottesville, VA 22902
434.961.5309
reference@pvcc.edu

Find a book in the library

Step 1:

Search for books in QuickSearch. Look for ones that say "Piedmont Virginia Circulating Collection." These are the physical books in the library (i.e. not ebooks).

search result for physical book

 

Step 2:

Click the title of the book you want to read to see more information on it.  Make sure it says "Available" instead of "Checked Out."

 

Step 3:

Write down the call number. The library books are organized using the Library of Congress classification system. Essentially, they're organized by subject. All the history books are shelved together, all the biology books, all the religion books, etc.  

Call number in online catalog

 

Step 4:

Go to the library shelves. Look at the ends of the shelves for small, square signs that list the call number range in that row. Figure out in which range your call number falls. For example, F292 .F67 P47 2016 falls in between the range on the right.  

Call number range labels on the ends of library stacks

 

Step 5:

Scan the shelves to find the book. The call numbers are read horizontally line by line, and they are in alpha-numeric order. The only tricky one is the third line with the decimal point. Look at the first two call numbers in the example below. It would seem that C453 would come after C49 because 453 > 49. However, this is a decimal, so 0.453 < 0.49. Or, put another way, if you mentally add a "0" so the two numbers you're comparing have the same number of digits, 453 < 490.   

Example of Call Numbers in Correct Order:
F
279
.C453
B35
2007
F
279
.C49
E87
2015
F
292
.C94
H37
2014
F
292
.P47
2016
F
294
.A89
A233
2005
F
326
.A17
1969

 

Step 6:

Pull the book off the shelf. Take it to the front desk for checkout.

Library books on the shelf in call number order  

 

Tips!

tip

  • Having trouble finding the book? Ask a librarian!
  • Students are allowed to check out up to 25 books for 28 days with 2 renewals. You must have your student ID!  See our Library Policies page for more information.
  • Want to use an ebook instead? See this playbook: How do I find an ebook?
  • What if the Jessup Library doesn't have the book I need?  Request it through Interlibrary Loan.