Library Catalog Search Tips
You can search Berkeley Public Library’s online catalog by title, author, keyword, call number, Library of Congress Subject Headings, or by using a combination of words in an author’s name and a title.
If you’re not sure of the exact Library of Congress Subject Heading terminology but know a specific book on the subject you’d like to search for added titles, search the known title and scroll down to the subjects listed for it. Click on the subject heading closest to your topic of interest. You’ll get a list of all the material the library owns with this subject heading.
You can also browse the online catalog by Dewey Decimal call number, clicking on the call number of the nonfiction title you think best suits your interests and looking at other results with that call number. The Dewey Decimal system organizes knowledge into 10 broad areas:
001 – 099 General knowledge, computer programs, journalism
100 – 199 Psychology and philosophy
200 – 299 Religions
300 – 399 Social sciences including ethnic studies, law, education & customs
400 – 499 Languages
500 – 599 Pure sciences, including mathematics
600 – 699 Applied sciences, including medicine, cooking, repairs
700 – 799 Fine and performing arts, recreation, and sports
800 – 899 Literature
900 – 999 History and geography, including biography
At Berkeley Public Library, fiction is not assigned a Dewey number but can be searched in the catalog by these call numbers:
Fiction
Mystery
Science Fiction
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