How to Use the Catalog
In 2011, Valparaiso Public Library joined the Pioneer Consortium. As of October 25, 2011, we are LIVE online with our Pioneer Koha Catalog. Click the link below or the”CATALOG Valparaiso Public Library” link in the far right column and you will be there. Directions about using the catalog are on that page. It’s easy and fun, with features you asked for.
Here’s the link: http://valparaiso.pioneer.kohalibrary.com
Val’s Call Number System
Whether you are searching online or in the library, knowing how our call number system works will be helpful to you. The call numbers tell you the type of book or other item, whether it’s intended for young readers or adults, and where it is in the library.
Here’s how the call numbers work. A “word” in the call number ENDS with a blank space. The call number may contain up to 4 words. The FIRST word may include 2 to 4 “syllables,” each connected by a dash.
If the first word includes the syllable E (usually the first syllable), the item is for children who are pre-readers through grade 3 reading level.
The syllable EJ denotes materials for children grades 3-4 reading level.
The syllable J denotes materials for children grades 4-7 reading level.
Other materials are intended for adult level readers. Materials intended for young adults are labeled and shelved like those for adults.
In the main room on the first floor, you’ll find the adult fiction, poetry, drama, biography, and humor, including large print materials; Heritage materials; reference materials for adults and for children; biographies, drama, and poetry intended for EJ and J reading levels; nonfiction which both adults and children enjoy; and all audio and video materials. Ask at the librarian’s desk for all games and toys.
The children’s room, which is on the first floor, contains all the “E” and “EJ” materials except those already mentioned.
The Young Readers room, also on the first floor, contains all the “J” materials except those already mentioned.
The rest of the nonfiction items are in the basement. If you find it difficult to use the stairs to the basement, the librarian will retrieve materials for you.
All our materials are available for loan to our patrons except those labeled REF (reference) and some Heritage items.
The chart below shows how to “read” the call numbers.
| Type of material | 1st “Word” | 2nd “Word” | 3rd “Word” | 4th “Word” | Sample Call Number |
| Audio material | ACA | Author abbrev | ACA WIL | ||
| Video material | AVI | Title abbrev | ACA MOUSE | ||
| Biography, adult | BIO | Subject name | Author abbrev | BIO FRANKLIN CAM | |
| Drama, adult | D | Author abbrev | D SHA | ||
| Fits no other E category | E | Author abbrev | E BAU | ||
| E biography | E-BIO | Subject name | Author abbrev | E-BIO WASHINGTON WIL | |
| E drama or play | E-D | Author abbrev | E-D SHA | ||
| E fiction | E-FIC | Author abbrev | genre | Serialname# | E-FIC THO mystery Horse#1 |
| E nonfiction | E-DEWEY# | Subject | Author abbrev | E-580 Plants YAR | |
| E poetry | E-P | Author abbrev | E-P DIC | ||
| E toy or game | E-TOY | Name | E-TOY JUMPROPE | ||
| Fits no other EJ category | EJ | Author abbrev | EJ THO | ||
| EJ biography | EJ-BIO | Subject name | Author abbrev | EJ-BIO WASHINGTON WIL | |
| EJ fiction | EJ-FIC | Author abbrev | genre | Serialname# | EJ-FIC THO mystery Horse#1 |
| EJ nonfiction | EJ-DEWEY# | Subject | Author abbrev | EJ-580 Plants YAR | |
| EJ poetry | EJ-P | Author abbrev | EJ-P DON | ||
| EJ reference book | EJ-REF | Dewey # | Subject | Author abbrev | EJ-REF 580 Plants YAR |
| EJ toy or game | EJ-TOY | Name | EJ-TOY JUMPROPE | ||
| Adult fiction | FIC | Author abbrev | genre | Serialname# | FIC THO mystery Horse#1 |
| Fits no other Heritage category | HERITAGE | Subject | Author abbrev | HERITAGE Gumbo WIL | |
| Heritage biography | HERITAGE-BIO | Subject name | Author abbrev | HERITAGE-BIO WASHINGTON WIL | |
| Heritage drama | HERITAGE-D | Author abbrev | HERITAGE-D KLO | ||
| Heritage fiction | HERITAGE-FIC | Author abbrev | Genre (if app) | Serialname# | HERITAGE-FIC CAT |
| Heritage J fiction | HERITAGE-J-FIC | Author abbrev | genre | Serialname# | HERITAGE-J-FIC THO mystery Horse#1 |
| Heritage non-fiction | HERITAGE-DEWEY# | Subject | Author abbrev | HERITAGE-580 Plants YAR | |
| Heritage poetry | HERITAGE-P | Author abbrev | HERITAGE-P KLO | ||
| Heritage reference | HERITAGE-REF | Dewey # | Subject | Author abbrev | HERITAGE-REF 580 Plants YAR |
| Heritage local | HERITAGE-VAL | Subject | Author abbrev | HERITAGE-VAL Newspaper PTO | |
| J fits no other category | J | Author abbrev | J SMI | ||
| J biography | J-BIO | Subject name | Author abbrev | J-BIO WASHINGTON WIL | |
| J drama or play | J-D | Author abbrev | J-D SHA | ||
| J fiction | J-FIC | Author abbrev | genre | Serialname# | J-FIC THO mystery Horse#1 |
| J nonfiction | J-DEWEY# | Subject | Author abbrev | J-580 Plants YAR | |
| J poetry | J-P | Author abbrev | J-P DON | ||
| J reference | J-REF | Dewey # | Subject | Author abbrev | J-REF 580 Plants YAR |
| J toy or game | J-TOY | Name | J-TOY JUMPROPE | ||
| LP biography | LP-BIO | Subject name | Author abbrev | LP-BIO WASHINGTON WIL | |
| LP fiction | LP-FIC | Author abbrev | genre | Serialname# | LP-FIC BRO romance Texas#1 |
| LP nonfiction | LP-DEWEY# | Subject | Author abbrev | LP-580 Plants YAR | |
| Adult nonfiction | DEWEY# | Subject | Author abbrev | 580 Plants YAR | |
| Adult poetry | P | Author abbrev | P DON | ||
| Adult reference | REF-DEWEY# | Subject | Author abbrev | REF-580 Plants YAR |