University of Connecticut | Call Number Searches
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Introduction
Use HOMER
UCAT, the library's online catalog, to search for materials. You can do
this in the library or from your office or home computer: http://homerweb.lib.uconn.edu.
Use the call number search when you want to. . .
- Browse a collection
by call number (very helpful when you can't browse in person).
- Find a single item with
a known call number (this is a quick search and helpful if the original search
was complex).
- Find materials similar
to an item you already have (materials on a particular topic often have similar
call numbers and appear together on the shelf).
Tips
- Call numbers searches are not the most effective method for finding known works. For example, if you do a call number search and go to "S" to look at Schubert, you may miss a recording that is paired with a Brahms symphony and thus shelved under "B" (for Brahms). For the best results, if you know which musical work you want, do an Author/Uniform Title search or a Keyword search.
- Homer Web is easier
for browsing call numbers, but has some display glitches. Homer Windows (available
on in the Music Library) is faster and more reliable.
- In Homer Windows (available only in the Music Library), the search is available under the Author/Title/Subject search tab. Try using the Page Up and Page Down buttons (on the keyboard) for scrolling. On the screen, don't click the outside scroll arrows: these go to the beginning and end of the entire alphabet!
Scores and Books
Scores and books use Library of Congress (LC) call numbers (e.g., M, ML, MT). This call number search works correctly.
Entering the search
Generally, enter the call number with or without spaces or punctuation. Exceptions: for opus, thematic catalog, or work numbers, leave a space before the abbreviation, and use a period after abbreviation.
Example: ml410 c455 g76
Finds: Ernest Chausson: The Composer's Life and Works, plus other similar books shelved nearby.Example: m1001 p96 op.25
Finds: Prokofiev's Symphony No. 1 in D Major, Op. 25 ("Classical"), plus other Prokoviev symphonies shelved nearby.
Sound and Video Recordings (e.g., MCD, LP, MVT, etc.)
Sound and video recordings use "home-grown" call numbers. This search does not work exactly as desired, but you can still effectively find what you need.
Entering the search
Enter format (e.g., MCD, LP, MVT), followed by first letter(s) denoting composer or collection. Do not enter any of the remaining numbers.
Example: mcd m
Results: Drops you into a call number list of compact discs starting at "m" (Mahler, Mendelssohn, Mozart, etc.).Example: lp jz
Results: Drops you into a call number list of jazz LPsWarning: if you try to type the entire call number for a recording, you will get to the wrong place.
More effective browsing
If you are an avid browser, you'll want to know what some of the AV numbers mean. Read on.
How to Read AV Call Numbers
THIS CALL NUMBER GUIDE
IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR MORE PRECISE SEARCHING.
To find specific
musical works, do an author/uniform title or keyword search.
Line 1: Indicates
format: LP (long playing record album), MCD (music compact
disc), MVT (music videotape), MVD (music
videodisc), Ctape (cassette tape), etc.
Line 2: Call number varies depending on whether recording focuses on a "collection" or "composer."
Collections: includes jazz, folk/ethnic, form of composition, record label, or three or more works by different composers.
- Line 2 has several capital
letters, OR a capital letter if followed by a slash (/). Here are jazz
codes, folk/ethnic codes, and form
of composition codes.
- Lines 3 and 4 may further subdivide (e.g., by jazz artist), or may number the albums sequentially within the group.
"Collection" Call No. :
MCD
JZ
B76
3
H/16th
30
MHS
1019
LP
F/E
H34
Focuses on:
Musical Heritage Society
(label no. 1019)LP of folk/ethnic music
from Haiti
Composers: item focuses on one particular composer (e.g., a CD of Haydn's music). Warning: some works by a composer may be in mixed collections and not under this call number.
- Line 2 has capital letter
followed by a number (no slash) OR a capital letter followed by lower case
letter(s) and a number. Here are composer codes.
- Lines 3 and 4 have the form of composition (Cr = Concerto; Sy = Symphony), type of music (MPW = Miscellaneous Piano Works), or (occasionally) title. Here are form of composition codes. Numbers (e.g., Ov1, Ov2, Ov3) indicate first disc, second disc, etc., NOT opus or work number.
"Composer" Call No. :
M87
Ov1LP
Sch8R
TrFocuses on: