LibGuides: Library Research for College Students: Step-by-Step: Step 4: Finding Books in Libraries

Finding Print Books at Western Library

library books with call numbers on spine labels

Where is Western's Library?

Western Library is located in the Learning Commons on the second floor of the Student Success Center

How do I find a book on the shelves?

Our books are organized by subject using the Library of Congress (LC) Classification System
Feel free to ask a librarian to help you find your book

What are those white labels on the spine of all the books?

Notice the "code" on the labels on the spines of the books in the photo above. This "code " is the book's Call Number. A Call Number tells you where a book it is located in the library.
- Each number and letter refers to details about that the book's subject and it's title and author.
Call Numbers start with letters that match up with subject categories.
- Look at the Call Numbers in the image above. They all begin with NC.
  - The subject category, N, is Fine Arts and the subcategory, NC, is Drawing Design, and Illustration
  - Think of NC like the name of street you live on.
  - The combination of NC with other numbers and letters gives you the shelf "address" of a specific book.

Class A – General Works (including dictionaries, history ofof scholarship and learning, etc.)
Class B – Philosophy, Psychology, Religion
Class C – Auxiliary Sciences of History (including history of civilization, archaeology, etc.)
Class D – World History
Class E-F – History of the Americas
Class G – Geography, anthropology, recreation
Class H – Social sciences
Class J – Political science
Class K – Law
Class L – Education
Class M – Music
Class N – Fine arts
Class P – Language and literature
Class Q – Science
Class R – Medicine
Class S – Agriculture
Class T – Technology
Class U-V – Military science, naval science
Class Z – Library science, general information resources

Learn more about the Library of Congress Classification System at the link below.

Library of Congress Classification System (LC)
Want to know more about LC subcategories? Link to them from this list of main subject categories from the Library of Congress itself!

Find books and eBooks. An eBook is the same as a print book, it's just the electronic version and available online.
Checkout books with your Western ID.
Search by title, author, subject, or keywords.

Library catalog ebook

If you can't find the book or ebook you want at Western Library, try La Crosse Public Library or your local public library.

Public library cards are free!

Western Library
Click the red button FIND Books to open the Library catalog and search for books about your topic available in Western Library. Check out your books with your Western ID card or ID number. We can also look you in our system!
La Crosse Public Library
Look for the Catalog search box at the top of the page to search for books about your topic at La Crosse Public Library. Need a library card? They're free!
How to Get a La Crosse County Public Library Card
Getting a La Crosse Public Library card is easy and free! Applications are available at any La Crosse Public Library location, in person, or available online.