Understanding shelf marks

The shelf mark tells you where to find an item.

It usually begins with a subject name (eg Modern History; Education), followed by a series of letters and numbers (eg P-2.06; 371.942; QS 4), and ending with a three-letter code (eg PLA; MIN).

Examples:
Modern History P-2.06 PLA
Education 371.942 MIN
Health Sciences QS 4 GUY

A location is also given, showing the building and floor where you can find that item. It is important to make a note of the location, as copies of the same book may be held in multiple places.

Examples:
BL WEST 2 = level 2 of the Brotherton Library's West building
EBL 9 = level 9 (ground floor) of the Edward Boyle Library

Sometimes the shelf mark has a prefix (eg Large, Stack, Store, Pamphlets, Wakefield). This indicates that the item is not in the main sequence of books. It may be in a separate part of the Library, or in another building. The location code will tell you where to find it.

Examples:
Large Textiles B-1.7 ELL
Stack French A-0.01 REV
Wakefield Periodicals JOU

If you can't find an item, please ask at the enquiry desk.