Shelf marks are an essential element of library classification. They help with locating a book or resource within the library system. In some cases, shelf marks may also be known as call numbers or classification numbers. When it comes to academic libraries, an alternate term for shelf marks is the Library of Congress classification. This classification scheme divides all subjects into 21 letters of the alphabet with corresponding subclassifications. Additionally, the Dewey Decimal classification system is also a popular shelf mark alternative. This system assigns a unique number to each book based on its subject matter. Regardless of the system, all shelf marks serve the same purpose, to make locating materials within a library's collection easier.