Simpson Library: English: Books

Locating books on the shelves

When you find a physical book on the library website, write down its call number, and then go to the shelves.

To use call numbers, read them from the top down.

For example, here's how you'd find this book:

First, follow the alphabet to the PR section of the library, which is part of the larger P section.
Next, within the PR section, look in numerical order for 8875.
Next, within the books numbered 8875, look in alphabetical and numerical order for .P46.
(1999 is the year the book was published.)

Books are shelved according to Library of Congress Classification. In this system, the library is divided into twenty-one broad subject areas, each of which is assigned one letter of the alphabet.

English literature is classified under letter P. Here are some noteworthy subclasses:

For details on how books are arranged within these subclasses, see this PDF guide:

Library of Congress Classification Outline - Class P - Language and Literature
A detailed guide to the call numbers within the Language and Literature classification.

If you find an item that belongs to another library, you may request to borrow it through InterLibrary loan (ILL).

To find items owned by other libraries, visit WorldCat

To place an InterLibrary loan request, log in to your free Simpson Library ILL Account using your UMW NetID and password.

Cooperative Borrowing Program
You can visit other colleges and universities in Virginia and check out books from their libraries. Click the link to see which libraries participate in this program.