Welcome to WSU Libraries! In this guide, we’ll unlock the mysteries of call numbers and location prefixes. Knowing these helps you quickly locate and access your desired books.

Call Numbers

Books and material are arranged on our shelves according to the Library of Congress (LC) classification system. These call numbers uniquely identify and organize items near other material on the same or similar subjects. Consider the call number: LB2395 C65 1991.

♦ LB defines the subject area. The call letters are typically arranged in alphabetical (字母的) order, starting from A and continuing through the alphabet. Knowing the letter(s) for your subject area gives you a place to start browsing the shelves. For example: A — General works; B — Philosophy, Psychology, Religion; D — world History; G — Geography; H— social sciences; J — Political science; K — Law; L— Education; M — Music; N — Arts; P— Language and Literature; Q — science. For more, click here.

♦ 2395 is the classification number, which further distinguishes the subject matter. Read as a whole number: 1, 2, 3, 45, 100, 2430.

♦ C65 is the Cutter number and usually represents the author’s last name. Find C, then 65. Read the number as a decimal (小数).

♦ 1991 is the year of publication.

Location Prefixes

Some call numbers have a location prefix. Location prefixes mean that the book or material is shelved in a special place, and may have loan restrictions. WSU uses the following prefixes:

Vienna may be one of Europe's smallest capitals, but it's rich with culture. One day of museum-hopping can take you from a former palace housing one of the world's most significant artworks to the contemporary art galleries of the MuseumsQuartier.

Kunsthistorisches Museum

Although the museum is excellent, it is rarely overcrowded with visitors. If you visit at the right time, you can still be alone with Caravaggio. You can have a little dialogue with some of the biggest masterpieces. You can also take part in the museum's mystery hunt-an adult treasure hunt through the Egyptian-Oriental collection.

Wien Museum

The first generation of the Wien Museum (or Vienna Museum) was an exhibition at Vienna City Hall in the late 19th century. The exhibition stayed there for over 70 years until the main building as it stands today was established in 1959 at Karlsplatz. Since then, the museum has rapidly spread to 22 locations around the city, including a clock museum and the apartments of Beethoven, Mozart and Haydn. Entry to the Wien Museum’s many locations is free for teenagers and children, and for all on the first Sunday of each month.

Belvedere Museum

The Belvedere Museum is spread across several buildings, including two Baroque summer palaces that were built in the early 18th century. Between them are wide, landscaped gardens where visitors can jog, bike and simply wander. The entire complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that also happens to be home to one of the most famous paintings in the world: The Kiss by Gustav Klimt.

ZOOM Children's Museum

The museum is located in the MuseumsQuartier. ZOOM includes an ocean-themed room for kids to play in, with a water mattress, colourful objects and a tunnel of mirrors; a studio where they can play with art supplies that would create a terrifying mess for their parents at home; and a room where little guests can make animated films and sounds.