University Libraries Locations and Classification Systems
Location information and call number is listed in the Discover search results below the title, author, and publication information.
Materials in the University Libraries may be in one of the following classification systems:
- Library of Congress: call number begins with a letter
- Dewey Decimal System: call number begins with a number
Bizzell Memorial Library Stacks
Separate Collections in Bizzell
| Abstracts and Indexes | M |
| Atlases | M |
| Bass Business History Collection | 5 |
| Children's Collection | 3 West |
| Chinese Literature Translation Archive | 4 West |
| Current Periodicals | 4 West |
| History of Science | 5 |
| Microform | 4 East |
| New Books | Zarrow Reading Room - M |
| Nichols Collection | 5 |
| OU Theses and Dissertations | Peggy V. Helmerich Great Reading Room - Deck 4 |
| Reference | M |
| Yearbooks | North of Exhibit area - M |
Reading Library of Congress Call Numbers
Books in the Bizzell Memorial Library will have a call number sticker on the spine or front cover.
First look at the top line. In the Library of Congress system, the first line will be 1-3 letters long. Items are shelved in alphabetical order by these letters. Use the chart above to determine where the item is shelved in the library.
Next, look at the second line. This line will contain a whole number or a whole number with a decimal component. Items with the same first line are shelved numerically by this line.
Sometimes, Line 1 and Line 2 will both appear on the same line.
Next, the third part consists of a single letter and then a sequence of numbers. Items are shelved alphabetically and then numerically based on this line. This line is always read as if it were preceded by a decimal.
The final lines of a call number may include the date of publication, volume number, issue number, or other annotation.
Additional Tips:
- Each bookshelf in the stacks will have signs indicating their contents.
- Look for student workers wearing blue lanyards roving around Bizzell to get immediate assistance.
Reading Dewey Decimal Call Numbers
The first line of a Dewey Decimal Call number will be a whole number, potentially with a decimal component. Items are shelved numerically. Use the chart above to determine where the item is shelved in the library.
The second line will be a letter and a sequence of numbers. This line is always treated as if it were preceded by a decimal.
The third line may be another letter followed by a sequence of numbers, the date of publication, volume number, issue number, or other annotation.
Additional Tips:
- Access to the Decks are available on Lower Level I, Main Floor, and 3rd Floor. Elevator access is available behind the Zarrow Lounge on the Main Floor.
- Each bookshelf in the stacks will have signs indicating their contents.
- Look for student workers wearing blue lanyards roving around Bizzell to get immediate assistance.
Children's Books
The Children’s Collection is located in 3rd Floor West and is divided into 4 sections: picture books and fiction for early readers, fiction for readers beyond grade 3 or age 8, non-fiction and anthologies, and biographies.
- Picture books and fiction for early readers have call numbers that begin with jE followed by the first 3 letters of the author’s name.
- Fiction for readers beyond grade 3 or age 8 and young adult fiction have call numbers that begin with jF followed by 3 letters of the author’s name.
- Non-fiction and anthologies have call numbers that follow the Dewey Decimal System preceded by j and ending with the first 3 letters of the author’s name.
- Biographies begin with jB and are in alphabetical order by their subject's last name.