Shelfwise

Why do I need to get shelfwise?
How can items be found by the call number?
Is there a guide to the Dewey Decimal System?
Need help using the Library Catalogue?
What if the item is not there?
Still can't find it?
What if the item is at another UTS Campus Library?
What do I do with items I've used in the Library but don't want to borrow?


Why do I need to get shelfwise? The Library has many sections. Most items are available for borrowing. Items can also be found in Closed Reserve, Reference or the Audiovisual section.

How can items be found by call number? Every item has a call number which indicates where it is to be found in the Library. This number is based on the Dewey Decimal System. For Example:

  • Human Communication, by M.Burgoon
  • Location City Campus
  • 302.2/17 and 302.2/BURG
  • Copies of the same title may have different call numbers and be shelved in different locations
  • Items using letters in the call number are filed after items using only numbers
  • See the example below


Is there a guide to the Dewey Decimal System? The following provides a basic outline of the Dewey Decimal System.

Subject Area

A-H

Call Number

Subject Area

H-Z

Call Number

Accounting 657 Horticulture 635
Acupuncture 615 Immunology 616.079
Architecture 720 Information Science 020
Arts Management 700.68 Languages 400
Biochemistry 574.192 Law 340
Biology 574 Leisure 306.48,790
Biotechnology 660.6 Literature 800-899
Botany 580 Management 658
Building 690 Marketing 658.8
Business 650 Mathematics 510
Chemistry 540 Medicine 610
Clinical chemistry 616.0756 Microbiology 576
Communication 302.2 Molecular Biology 574.88
Computing 004-6 Nursing 610
Design 745 Pathology 616.07
Ecology 574.5 Physics 530
Economics 330 Pollution 628.5
Education 370 Psychology 150
Engineering 620 Recreation 790
Environment 333 Social Welfare 362
Fashion History 391 Sociology 300
Film Studies 791.4 Sport 796
Finance 332 Sports Medicine 612,617
Fine & Decorative Arts 700-760 Tourism 338.4791
Geology 550 Urban Planning 710
Haematology 616.15 Zoology 590
History 930-999    

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Where do I get a call number? The Library Catalogue will give the exact call number for each item. Write down the sequence of numbers and letters displayed under "Call Number".

Need help using the Library Catalogue? Ask at the Research Help Desk.

What if the item is not there? When the online catalogue lists an item as being "On Loan", and the item is not on the shelves, please check the number again.

If you still cannot find the item, it may be:

  • Being read in the Library
  • Near the photocopiers
  • On a trolley waiting to be shelved
  • On sorting shelves
  • On a study desk
  • Shelved in the wrong order
  • On the new books display (if it is a recent publication)


Checked all these areas? Remember that an item may have been left on another level of the Library.

Still can't find it? Ask at the Research Help Desk and a librarian will assist you to:

  • Find the item
  • Find similar items
  • Record the item as missing

What if the item is at the other campus? All UTS students can borrow from and return items to any UTS Campus Library. Apply online via the Requests page to obtain journal articles held in the other campus library and transfer books between libraries.

What do I do with items I've used in the Library but don't want to borrow? Just leave them on the red Sorting Shelves, which are located on all levels.

Collections in the UTS Libraries

Major subject areas for each Library
Where to find books and journals by subject
Coloured sections
What level?

Major Subject Areas for each Library

Blake Library (City Campus):
Architecture, Building, Business, Computing Science, Design, Education, Engineering, Humanities, Information Studies, Law, Mathematics, Physical Science, Social Science, Biological Science, Biomedical Science, Environmental Science, Horticulture

Kuring-gai Campus Library:
Business, Education, Leisure and Tourism, Nursing

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Where to Find Books and Journals by Subject

Books and journals are filed separatley on the library shelves at the Blake Library (City Campus). To browse books and journals by subject see the Dewey Decimal System Guide.

Coloured Sections

Green

Reference

Blue

Audiovisual

Gold

Folios (Large books)

Pink

Curriculum (Kuring-gai campus only)

Purple

Law Reference (City campus only)

Red

Australian Literature

Orange

UTS Theses-postgraduate (Closed Reserve)

What Level?

Blake Library (City Campus):

Level 2: (entrance level) Reference, Closed Reserve, Audiovisual, New Journals

Level 3: 304-349 & Law Reference

Level 4: 001-303, than 350-658.45

Level 5: 658.45-999

Kuring-gai Campus Library:

Level 3: 001-399 (excluding Law 340-349) Curriculum, Audiovisual

Level 4: (entrance level) Reference, Closed Reserve, Law (340-349) New Books

Level 5: 400-999, New Journals

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