Newcastle University Libraries organise books by subject area using the Dewey Decimal System. Each subject is represented by a number, which can be broken down by a decimal and then 3 letters (usually the author's surname). Books are shelved in numerical order by whole number, decimal number and then alphabetically by the letters (called the cutter).

The Law Library uses an alternative classification system which is very similar to the Dewey Scheme, called the Moys Classification System. Moys is designed for legal materials and was created by Betty Moys in 1968.

Most of the books found in the Law Library are within the 340s (although we do have some books outside of this number from 001 to 999!). 

Top tip: when you’ve identified a book, make a note of the full shelfmark including the number and letters - write it down or take a photo of the number as you can guarantee the moment you’re in the shelves you’ll forget it!

When it comes to shelving, your main focus is the shelfmark. This is the label on the book's spine that is made up of numbers and letters (the classification).

Let's use the shelfmark 347.16 RES as an example:

1. Find the 300s
2. Then find the 340s
3. Then find the 347s
4. Look for the 347.16s (after 347.1 and before 347.2)
5. Then look for the Rs > RE > RES (after Q or RA, and before RO or T)

Now you have the following books to put back on the shelves:

• 813.54 ATW
• 346.01 WEB
• 341.444 CUL
• 347.2 HOR
• 346.8 ASH
• 300.72 CRE
• 347.16 RES
• 341.444 HUM

First you would sort the books into numerical order by the first 3 numbers:

• 300
• 341
• 346
• 347
• 813

Next you would sort by decimal numbers:

• 300.72 
• 341.444 
• 346.01 
• 346.8 
• 347.16 (although 16 is a bigger number than 2 or 6 below, it is a decimal number and lower than a whole number)
• 347.2 
• 347.6
• 813.54 

Lastly, you would sort by the three letters (the cutter): 

• 300.72 CRE
• 341.444 CUL
• 341.444 HUM
• 346.01 WEB
• 346.8 ASH
• 347.16 RES
• 347.2 HOR
• 347.6 JON
• 813.54 ATW

The Law Library holds different types of information, which are shelved in different parts of the Law Library. The types of resources you will find are mostly:

• Books
• Short Loan & Articles
• Law in Literature (Law Lit)
• Reports
• Journals
• International
• European
• Foreign
• Government Publications (Gov Pubs)

You will find out more about these different types of resources and where to find them in the next section (Law Library Shelving).