USING THIS DIRECTORY

Books are shelved in Sterling by size within Library of Congress (LC) or Yale classification. To the left is a chart for each classification, arranged by call number letters and shelving sizes.

Floor numbers (e.g. 3, 4 Wing, 6M) are shown for books shelved in Sterling. Some Yale classifications are shelved at the Mudd Library, which is located at the corner of Sachem and Mansfield Streets.

To reach an M (mezzanine) floor, use the stacks elevators or take a public elevator to the floor above or below, then use the stacks stairways. Between floors 1 and 2, there are two mezzanines: 1M and 1MB.

Floor plans are posted in the main aisle of each stack floor. Guide cards at the ends of shelving aisles show call number sequences. Red ink is used for (LC) n umbers, black ink for Yale classification numbers.

If a call number is preceded by a collection name (e.g. Franklin) or other library name (e.g. Bass Library), the book is NOT shelved in the Sterling stacks.

When books are not on the shelf, request a search at the service desk.

Overflow shelving areas contain books which cannot be shelved in their normal locations due to space limitations. Look for signs to Overflow locations.

Recognizing LC and YALE call numbers: Books with (LC) at the end of the call number are classified in the Library of Congress classification system. ( LC) does not appear on books in the D, PA-PZ or Q classes nor on Near East Collection b ooks. Yale classification numbers have a combination of a capital letter followe d by one or more lower case letters in the first line of the call number. Examples : Ba, Fvc, Jb.

Oversize books with (LC) call numbers always have a plus sign "+" at the beginning of the 2nd or 3rd line. In the Yale classification, oversize is shown by a zero "0" or a plus sign "+". Examples: