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How to use the UDC Classification System
(Universal Decimal Classification)

1. This is a decimal system, and your call number may look like this:

72.08:333(73) L969

The books are shelved in a specific order on the shelves.

The example below shows only the first part of the call number...

...and listed in this example you can see the order of a selection of call numbers.

3 300 Comes
before
34 340 "
6 600 "
690 690 "
711 711 "
9 900 "
95 950 "
961 961 "

In the first column you can see the original call numbers and the order they are shelved in.  In the second column you can see the call number made up to a hundred.

This is a trick you can use when searching for books - make the first part of the number up to a hundred and this will make it easier to find.

For example if your call number is 72.036.6 E26, then imagine your book is shelved as 720.036.6 E26.

2. Punctuation within classification is arranged thus:

 

Bracket ( ) 690(95) Comes
before
Colon : 690:31 "
Dot . 690.2  "

NB. This can easily be remembered by saying BCD. Bracket, Colon, Dot.

 

Comments to Simon Coates
 Last updated: 08 June 2007