Skip to Main Content

Popular Searches: Popular Searches

Saved catalog searches for popular topics and assignments

Finding Books on the Shelf

Call number label showing Location code, Dewey number, and author numberChemeketa Community College library uses the Dewey Decimal System.


  • Every book has a Dewey Decimal call number that's used to keep books organized and to find them on the shelf
  • Call numbers group books on the same subject in the same location on the shelf; for example, all of the books with the 551.21 number are about volcanoes
  • Because there is often more than one book with the same Dewey Decimal number, the first letters of the author's last name and additional numbers are included. 

 

The book with the call number illustrated (REF 423.1 Up8) is located in the Reference collection in the call number area 423.1 and the author's last name is Upton.

Popular Searches

Getting Reference Help

  • E-mail a Question to Reference
  • Phone Reference at 503.399.5231
  • Chat reference: Please use the form below
  • We recommend that you include an e-mail address so that you can receive a transcript of your chat and so the library can send you any followup help.