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Find, access and use information effectively: a step-by-step guide: Locate Books on the shelf or browse for books online

Find, access and use information effectively: a step-by-step guide

Locate Printed Books

The Stellenbosch University Library and Information Service traditionally has arranged its collections using the Dewey system, with some exceptions like Law and Medicine.  To find the call/shelf number and library location use the Library Search search box for books and other items.  A book can be in more than one location. Click on the title to see all locations. My library account enables you to view the content of your library record and to perform library services, such as renewing or reserving a book or cancelling a request online. Sign in with your network username and password. For more information about books, consult the Find book library guide.

Dewey: Ten Main Classes Subject areas in the collection are differentiated by means of colour codes. Books, journals and reference works are housed in separate shelves.
000 Computer science, information & general works
100 Philosophy & psychology
200 Religion
300 Social sciences
400 Language
500 Science
600 Technology
700 Arts & recreation
800 Literature
900 History & geography

These broad subject disciplines are further divided into the hundred divisions.  Numbers are placed after a decimal point to further identify material more specifically by subject. The letters which follows the Dewey call number is used to place the books in author order.   Sometimes a book does not have a main author. The first three letters of the first word in the title is then used.

Subjects on the upper level of the Stellenbosch University Library
The subject areas in the collection are differentiated by means of colour codes. Books, journals and reference works are housed in separate shelves.

Upper level Lower level
Turquoise dots Science & agricultural sciences Orange dots Humanities and religion
Red dots       Law Blue dots Social sciences, language, management sciences and art
Yellow dots         Government publications Light blue dots Literature
Brown dots        Journals Yellow dots Geography and history
Green dots       Reference sources Brown dots Journals
    Green dots Reference sources

 Consult the floor plan for more information.

Neither journals, government publications nor reference works may be borrowed.

Locate and access printed books and e-books

The Stellenbosch University Library and Information Service traditionally has arranged its collections using the Dewey system, with some exceptions like Law and Medicine.  To find the call/shelf number and library location use the Library Search search box for books and other items.  A book can be in more than one location. Click on the title to see all locations. My library account enables you to view the content of your library record and to perform library services, such as renewing or reserving a book or cancelling a request online. Sign in with your network username and password. For more information about books, consult the Find book library guide.

Access E-Books

Consult the Downloading and printing SU E-Books for more information about accessing and printing E-Books

How to virtually browse our shelves to find a book

How to locate a book on a shelf in the Stellenbosch University Main Library