Literature: Where Is the Literature Section?

Finding Literature at UW Libraries

Browsing an academic library is very different than browsing a bookstore. There's no one "literature section" because we have so many books! Our literature collections span many buildings. We recommend doing a search in UW Libraries Search, finding a few books of interest, note the location and call numbers, and then browsing that specific call number area of the shelves (or "stacks"), rather than browsing broadly. Here are some recommended strategies to get you started, as well as sources to find book recommendations.

Library of Congress Classification Overview

At UW Libraries, you'll find literature in the P call number area. The P class covers languages and literatures very broadly, including linguistics, all literary genres, the primary texts and secondary sources, such as literary criticism. Literatures are grouped by language and world region; translated works are found with the original language.

Class P - Language and Literature
For a general idea of where literature is located, choose a subclass of interest. E.g., Spanish-language literature is within the call number range: PQ6001-8929. You can go to the stacks to browse this range, but it may be more helpful to do some searching first to find items of interest.

Floor Maps (Suzzallo-Allen)

Be sure to note the location of your book, however. It may be held in a different library.

Good Reads in Odegaard Undergraduate Library

Good Reads
At Odegaard Undergraduate Library (OUGL, 2nd floor), we maintain a collection of fiction and nonfiction books that appeal to students looking for something entertaining in their downtime.

Search Tips

Search by author:

In Advanced Search, choose: author/creator from the drop down menu and enter the author's name.

Search by genre:

Use keywords to specify the type of literature you are seeking: fiction, poetry, essays, drama, criticism, comic books, graphic novels, etc.

Search by world region and language:

Books are organized by subject, grouped by world region and language. E.g., Try a search using keywords "Ukraine fiction". Use filters to limit by language.

Use Subject Headings

As you find books that interest you, review the record for Subjects. You can follow the subject link to find more books. Ex. "Ethiopian Fiction" or "Washington (State) poetry".

Use filters

Helpful filters include: resource type: print books, publication date range, and language.

UW Libraries Search: Search and Filter (FAQ)

Find Recommendations

It can be easier to discover book recommendations online first, and then search UW Libraries to find a copy. Literary websites, book reviews, and libraries offer suggestions. See our "Discovering Literature" page on this guide for sources to discover literature, translations, and recommendations from UW Libraries.

Finding Books in the Stacks

1. Find your book using UW Libraries Search. Advanced search allows for more precise searching, such as author and title searches.

2. Filters can help you find books more easily. Choose either "print books" or "ebooks" for "material type", or you can filter your results after your search by "Resource Type."

3. Take note of the location and call number of your book. Books are arranged by subject and are assigned call numbers. You will need the call number to locate your book. The call number for the 2014 edition of No-no Boy is PS3565.K33 N6 2014.

4. Use "find this location" or the location guides in the building to find where the book will be. Books starting with the call number PS can be found on Allen Library North, 2nd floor.

5. Go to the stacks to find your book. (Or you can log in to your account and request the item to have it pulled and held for you.)

We use the Library of Congress classification system to organize our books, which means that books about similar subjects are located next to each other. For example, books by and about the author John Okada can be found in the PS range with other American literature.