Music is arranged on the shelf by a "Call Number". All printed music score call numbers begin with "M"
Example 1: M 557.B252 op. 31
- 557 means it is a quintet, specifically a woodwind quintet
- .B meant the composers name begins with a "B"
- 253 is specific to Samuel Barber
- op. 31 specifies the actual work, the Summer Music for Woodwind Quintet, op. 31.
Example 2: M 1001.L69f 2003
- 1001 is for symphonies
- .L69 is for Liszt
- "f" is the first word of the title, Faust Symphony
- 2003 is the publication date, distinguising this copy from others on the shelf
Example 3: M 1630.18.A415 1990z
- 1600 means songs, 1630.18 is American popular song
- .A means the title of the collection begins with A
- 415 puts it in order on the shelf: "All the Best Heavy Metal Ballads"
- 1990 is the year of publication
- z specifies this 1990 edition from another one