Shelf Reading & Blocking

Annotations:

• http://www.lcsc.edu/library/satchlcall/

Annotations:

• We shelf read to make sure that book are in order and to make sure that items are not misplaced. We shelf read to become familiar with items in our designated area.

Annotations:

• You should shelf read your area daily so that you become familiar with the books that are in your area. The better you know your area the more effective you will become at locating books in your area.
• You should shelf read to become familiar with the books that you will be dealing with. For example if a patron comes in and needs a book that is in your area and you know your area well enough that you could provide better customer service by locating the item faster.

Annotations:

•  Shelf Reading is when you read every call number on a shelf to ensure that it is in the proper order. You are responsible for shelf reading as you shelve. This ensures that the areas that are getting the most use are kept tidy.

1. understanding call numbers

   Annotations:

   • Library of Congress Call numbers http://www.lcsc.edu/library/ILI/Module_1A/understanding_call_numbers.htm
   1. How to read call number

      Annotations:

      • Read a call number by sections, line-by-line. Each section is part of the "code".  example: LB 2395.C65 1991 LB -- Read the first line in alphabetical order: A, B, BF, C, D ... L, LA, LB, LC, M, ML ... 2395 -- Read the second line as a whole number: 1, 2, 3, ...45, ...100, 101, ... 1000, ... 2000, ...2430, 2431, 2432 .C65 -- The third line is a combination of a letter and numbers. Read the letter alphabetically: A, B, C, D, E, ... Y, Z Read the letter as a decimal. e.g. .C65 = .65 e.g. .C724 = .724 1991 -- This is the year the book was published. Chronological order: 1979, 1985, 1992, 1999 ...
   2. What are call numbers for?

      Annotations:

      • Each book in the library has a unique call number. A call number is like an address: it tells us where the book is located in the library.   Call numbers appear  like this, from top to bottom, on the spines of books: LB 2395 .C65 1991 and, like this, from left to right, in the online catalog: LB2395 .C65 1991
   3. Why is this important to know?

      Annotations:

      • Because books are classified by subject, you can often find several helpful books on the same shelf, or nearby. For example, within the same call number LB2395, there are other guides for college study.

Annotations:

• Blocking is when you bring each book out to the end of the shelf so that the entire shelf is lined up with the edge of the shelf and all books are standing upright with a book end placed at the end of each shelf.

Annotations:

• We block shelves for two reasons 1. To keep the area neat and organized. 2. To let you know if your area is being used.

Annotations:

• You should block your shelves as you read your shelves that way you take care of two work duties.