Finding a Book

Materials in the TCC library are arranged according to Library
of Congress classification. This system is used to organize collections in most American college and research libraries. 

The table below gives you a general idea of where to find items in the main collection. Items in the reference and ESL collections are also arranged using this system. When you are checking an item's call number in the catalog, make sure to:

• note the location of the item (e.g. Main Collection, Reference Collection, Media Services).
• note the item's status (e.g. Available, Checked Out, Missing) before checking for an item in the library. 

Items are arranged on the shelves from left to right on each shelf and from top to bottom in each "column" of shelving. Look at the first line on the spine label for the letters (a single letter is always filed before a double or triple letter) and then for the numbers, which will appear on the second line of the spine lable. Please don't hesitate to ask for assistance if this is your first experience with the Library of Congress system!

A more detailed explanation of the classification system is available here or at the reference desk.