Special Collections

Searching Special Collections

Items in Special Collections are organized by size (to maximize space) under two different call number systems (Dewey and Library of Congress). To find an item in Special Collections follow the instructions below:

Determine the size of the item you are looking for by looking in the description field of the catalog record.
Locate the size category for your item in the chart below.
Find the stacks range for the call number system that the item is cataloged under. For example, a 27cm book with a Library of Congress call number would be located within Ranges 1 through 6.
Still can’t find it? Check the Special Collections “re-shelving” and “in unit repair” areas.

Special Collections Sizes

Remember! We are no longer using colored dots (they fall off) to identify item size. Instead, before shelving any Special Collections item, write on the top of the flag IN PENCIL the initials that identify each size. We are using two letters in capitals so that there will be no confusion between Octavos and Quartos.

SIZE	SIZE ID in use	DOT COLOR no longer in use do not add new dots	DEWEY LOCATIONS	LIBRARY OF CONGRESS LOCATIONS
Tiny < 21 cm	TI	RED	Located in the wooden book shelves near the stairs	Located in the wooden book shelves near the stairs
Octavo 21 < 30 cm	OC	BLACK	Range 1 (first row)	Range 1 (second row) to Range 6
Quarto -Q- 31 < 44 cm	QU	BLUE	Range 7 to Range 9	Range 10 to Range 14
Folio -F- height > 45 cm - or - width > 31 cm	FO	BROWN	Range 15 to Range 18 - or - Lying flat on tables along the peripheral of the stacks	Range 19 to Range 34 - or - Lying flat on tables along the peripheral of the stacks