Call numbers organise books into subject areas using letters and numbers. The call number is used for shelving and is displayed on the spine of the book.
The main system used in Otago libraries to assign call numbers is Library of Congress (LC).
The Robertson library also uses the Dewey Decimal system (so do most public and school libraries).
The Health Sciences Library, Christchurch Medical, and Wellington Medical Libraries all use the National Library of Medicine system which is very similar to LC.
Library of Congress subject areas:
A - General Works
B - Philosophy, Psychology, Religion
C - Auxiliary Sciences of History
D - World History and History of Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, etc.
E - History of the Americas
F - History of the Americas
G - Geography, Anthropology, Recreation
H - Social Sciences
J - Political Science
K - Law
L - Education
M - Music, Books on Music
N - Fine Arts
P - Language and Literature
Q - Science
R - Medicine
S - Agriculture
T - Technology
U - Military Science
V - Naval Science
Z - Bibliography, Library Science, Information Resources (general)
Dewey Decimal system subject areas:
000 - Computer Science, Information, & General Works
100 - Philosophy & Psychology
200 - Religion
300 - Social Sciences
400 - Language
500 - Science
600 - Technology
700 - Arts & Recreation
800 - Literature
900 - History & Geography
National Library of Medicine subject areas
QS - Human Anatomy
QT - Physiology
QU - Biochemistry. Cell Biology and Genetics
QV - Pharmacology
QW - Microbiology and Immunology
QX - Parasitology. Disease Vectors
QY - Clinical Laboratory Pathology
QZ - Pathology
W - General Medicine. Health Professions
WA - Public Health
WB - Practice of Medicine
WC - Communicable Diseases
WD - Medicine in Selected Environments
WE - Musculoskeletal System
WF - Respiratory System
WG - Cardiovascular System
WH - Hemic and Lymphatic Systems
WI - Digestive System
WJ - Urogenital System
WK - Endocrine System
WL - Nervous System
WM - Psychiatry
WN - Radiology. Diagnostic Imaging
WO - Surgery. Wounds and Injuries
WP - Gynecology
WQ - Obstetrics
WR - Dermatology
WS - Pediatrics
WT - Geriatrics
WU - Dentistry. Oral Surgery
WV - Otolarynology
WW - Opthalmology
WX - Hospitals and Other Health Facilities
WY - Nursing
WZ - History of Medicine. Medical Miscellany
