1)    use the catalog, SUNCAT, to find the item or subject you want 2)    write down the call number 3)    go to the shelves and look at the end markers and labels Call Numbers Call numbers are combinations of numbers and letters which are used to identify particular books or items in the library's collection. The numbers and letters assigned to a book determine its subject and shelving location.  You find the call number on the a small label on the spine of the book. Items are arranged on the shelves by call number. Nonfiction Reference and nonfiction collections in the Sarasota County Library System are organized according to the Dewey Decimal Classification System. The DDC is a hierarchical system  using the decimal principle for the subdivision of knowledge. There are ten main subject categories, numbered 000-999.  In each category books are organized from general to specific. 000 – 099 Generalities 100 – 199 Philosophy and Related Disciplines 200 – 299 Religion 300 – 399 Social Sciences 400 – 499 Language 500 – 599 Pure Sciences 600 – 699 Technology (Applied Sciences) 700 – 799 The arts 800 – 899 Literature 900 – 999 Geography & History For a more detailed breakdown of the Dewey Classification, click here. Fiction Fiction collections are shelved alphabetically by the author's last name. For example, "The Grapes of Wrath" by John Steinbeck would be found under the call number, "Steinbeck" or sometimes just "S" if it's a paperback or YA. Biography and Autobiography Biography collections are organized alphabetically by the last name of the subject. The first initial of the author's last name also appears in the call number. For example, "Master of the Senate," a book about President Lyndon Johnson by Robert A. Caro, would be found under the call number, "Johnson C." Government Documents Government Documents are shelved according to the Superintendant of Documents classification system. This system assigns a letter or letters to the agency or department and then a series of numbers and letters. It is designed to group publications by the same government authoring agency together. Click here for complete description. Genealogy Materials Genealogy materials are shelved entirely differently from everything else in the library. Those doing family research often prefer to have materials grouped by geographic location such as Virginia or United Kingdom for ease of use. There are other broad categories such as Heraldry or Passenger Lists and many have sections grouped by family names. Each library will have a guide to finding genealogy materials in that particular library.