sygnatur

Sygnatura, in library and archival contexts, is a shelf mark or call number used to designate the location of an item within a collection. The term derives from Latin signatura, meaning a sign or label, and is distinct from a personal signature. In Polish, the standard term is sygnatura; the plural is sygnatury. The article uses the singular form for clarity, but the concept applies to both singular and plural usage.

A sygnatura typically consists of a classification component and a local identifier. The classification part places the item within a subject area (for example, a Dewey or Library of Congress number), while the local identifier (often a cutter) distinguishes items within the same class. Some libraries also append a copy indicator or edition note.

In use, the sygnatura guides shelving, inventory, and lending. The full sign is stored in the catalog record, while the spine label usually shows the most essential elements for quick identification. In archives, similar shelf marks help locate boxes, folders, or items within a collection.

The specifics of forming signs vary by library system and country, but the core purpose is the same: to provide a stable, retrievable location for materials. This facilitates physical retrieval, shelving accuracy, and streamlined interlibrary exchange.