Question
Q: How are books organized in the library?
Answer
We use the Library of Congress Classification system here at the KSU Library System. While most colleges and universities use this system, you may be used to the Dewey Decimal System from your high school or public library.
How this works:
Classified first by collection type:
- Reference (Sturgis/Kennesaw: 3rd Floor/Graduate Library
- General Collection (Sturgis/Kennesaw: 2nd Floor)
- Teen Literature (Sturgis/Kennesaw: 3rd Floor)
Second by subjects with call numbers:
- Alphabetical: (A-Z) Each letter representing a subject with subcategories
- Numerical: (1 - 9999) further classifying each subcategory
Here is an example: Sturgis General Collection - PS 1861 .C75
Now let's break it down.
Sturgis General Collection: The Sturgis Library Floor Map tells me this is on the 2nd floor.
PS: Ordered alphabetically by first letter (P) then second letter (PR, PS, PT).
1861: Then by a whole number.
.C75: Finally another letter and a decimal number
As you can see in the image below, PS 1861 .C75 would be located between PS 1853 .C74 and PS 1868 .N38.
For more information
For more information about donating materials to the KSU Friends of the Library, please refer to our FAQ, "Can I donate books to the library?"
To suggest a purchase, please fill out the purchase request form on the library website.
Last Updated
Last Updated
Sep 25, 2019Was this helpful? 25 36
Chat
Research Help
Walk-In Help
Ground Floor Library, G16 (Kennesaw)
First Floor Library, C125 (Marietta)
Call Us
470-578-6325 (Kennesaw)
470-578-7471 (Marietta)
Help Hours
Monday-Friday 9AM-5PM