Locating Books in the Library

Henry Buhl Library

Locating books in the library

Buhl Library uses the Library of Congress Classification scheme, or “LC” for short. Click here for more information.

Reference or "Ref" books are shelved along the walls in the small reference room (A-BX) and in the larger reference room (C-Z). These books do not circulate but may be used in the library.

All other books are located in the Open or Closed Stacks. There are two floors of “Open Stacks.” Open Stack books with LC call numbers beginning with the letter A through M are located on the first floor. N through Z and Oversized Open Stack materials are located on the second floor of stacks.

“Closed Stack” items must be requested at the Check-out desk. The circulation period for both Open and Closed Stack materials is three weeks.

Library Collections & Prefix Guide

3 Day HUMA Loan	Located under the windows in the large reference room. These books may be checked out for 3 days at a time
AudioBk = Audio Book	Ask for these items at the Check-out Desk. They are available for 3 weeks at a time.
Atlas = Atlas Case	Located in the small reference room. These books do not circulate but may be used in the library.
MicroFiche	Ask for these items at the Check-out Desk. You may check out four at a time for 2 hours. A reader/printer is available for use in the large reference room.
MicroFilm	Ask for these items at the Check-out Desk. You may check out four at a time for 2 hours. A reader/printer is available for use in the large reference room.
New Book Display	Located in the small reference room. They are available for 3 weeks at a time.
Oversz = Oversize	Open Stack books from this collection are located on the second floor.
Per = Index-Reference	Located in the larger reference room. These books do not circulate but may be used in the library.
Print Journals	Ask for these items at the Check-out Desk. You may check out four at a time.
Print Reserve	Ask for these items at the Check-out Desk. They are available for 2 hours at a time.
Ref = Reference	Located in the small and larger reference rooms. These books do not circulate but may be used in the library.
RefDsk = Reference Desk Res.	Ask for these items at the Reference Desk. They are available for 2 hours at a time. These items do not leave the library.
Regular Reserve Vid	Ask for these items at the Check-out Desk. They are available for 4 hours at a time. These items may leave the library for viewing.
Special Media	Ask for these items at the Check-out Desk. They are available for 3 weeks at a time and usually accompany a book.
Stor = Storage	Ask for these items at the Check-out Desk. They are available for 2 hours at at time. These items do not leave the library.
Video Collection	Ask for these items at the Check-out Desk. They are available for 3 days at a time.