Library classification system

The Library's book collection is shelved according to the Dewey Decimal Classification System (DDC). Other classification systems are used for the collections of fiction and periodicals.

DDC, the Library's shelving system

The Library’s main book collection is sorted and shelved according to the Dewey Decimal Classification System, DDC. The system was created by the American librarian Melvil Dewey (1851–1931). According to DDC, books are grouped by subject with a numerical code for each subject area.

The library search service UniSearch will tell you where in the library you can find the book, and whether it is available or not:

Information in UniSearch about a book's availability

Books in the "Book Collection" are placed on open shelves, where you can pick up the book you want yourself. In the library search service, the "Call No" shows you which shelf/section to go to. Within each call number section, books are sorted alphabetically by author’s last name or the first word in the book title, which is shown after the Call Number. Under "Library," the information will tell you at which LiU library the book is located.

Classes of the Dewey Decimal System

The Dewey Decimal Classification System is structured around ten main classes, each of them described with a numerical code of three digits, 000–900. Here we have listed the ten main classes together with a selection of more specific codes:

000 General works

004–006 Computer science

100 Philosophy & psychology
200 Religion
300 Social sciences

320 Political science
330 Economics
340 Law
370 Education

400 Language
500 Science & mathematics
600 Technology

610 Medicine & health
650 Management & auxiliary services

700 Arts & sports
800 Literature
900 History & geography

See all DDC shelving codes used by Linköping University Library:

Hyllsigneringsschema för böcker (PDF) (Shelving system for books)

Shelving systems for fiction, periodicals and school books

How are our collections shelved?

Fiction

Fiction is shelved on open shelves in the library according to the SAB Classification System. For example: He - fiction in English.

Periodicals

Printed periodicals are sorted alphabetically according to journal title.

SAB Collection in Bokladan

Older books are shelved according to the SAB Classification System and are found in the "SAB Collection," kept in closed stacks (Bokladan). If you want to borrow a book from the SAB Collection, place a reservation in the library search service UniSearch to have it sent to the branch library of your choice.

UniSearch

School books and teaching material

The collections with school text books at Valla Library and Campus Norrköping Library are shelved according to school subject and educational stage.

Besides the Dewey Decimal Classification System, which is used for the main library collection, various shelving systems are used for the other library collections.

Square pieces of wood with letters forming the word support.

Guides and support

The Library offers search support, introductions to reference management programs, guides to how to cite and refer, and about copyright and plagiarism issues.

Library stacks

Parts of the Library’s collections are held in compact storage in library stacks, for example in the open stacks on the first floor in Studenthuset and in The University Library’s closed stacks – Bokladan.

Textbooks

Textbooks related to courses are available as copies for check out and as textbook reference copies for short-term loan. They may also be available as e-books. Read more about textbooks and the Library's policy regarding them.