A collection of bound shelf lists documenting call numbers for individual items in the general collections of the Boston Public Library during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Each volume is organized by call number, with many entries also containing information about source of acquisition and other administrative data

The numerical call number system used in these volumes was originally devised by Dr. Nathaniel Bradstreet Shurtleff, a trustee of the BPL from 1851-1868. Each complete call number comprises four digits before the decimal point and as many as three digits after the decimal point

The sequence of digits before the decimal point reflects the position of the item within a series of sixty alcoves (numbered 21-80) in the main hall of the BPL Boylston Street building, which was in use from 1858 to 1895. For each call number, the first two digits denote the physical alcove, the third digit denotes the range of shelves within the alcove, and the fourth digit denotes the shelf itself. Thus, a call number with "7599" before the decimal point stood for alcove number 75, 9th range, 9th shelf. The number after the decimal denotes precise shelf position

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