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Where are the PRINT books and how do I find them?
- Most print books in the library about the social sciences (including Anthropology, Sociology, Political Science, Law, Gender & Sexuality Studies, Women's Studies, and many more) are on the 2nd floor. These shelves are called the "stacks."
- Each set of shelves holds books on different subjects, but the books are arranged so that books on similar topics will be shelved next to each other. Each subject has a code, which are the letters that begin each book's call number.
- Academic libraries like Coates Library use the Library of Congress Classification call numbers, known as the "LC classification."
- Bookshelves are labeled with different call number ranges, for example, JQ1879-JQ4031.
- In this example, you will find a book with the call number JQ3881 .A73 2009 in that range of shelves, because it begins with a JQ and the number 3881 comes in between 1879 and 4031.
- Books are generally arranged by subject, geography, and time period.
Find out more about reading call numbers here: California State University Northridge. You can always ask someone at our Library's Front Desk for assistance finding a book or a certain topic.