Beyond doing searches in the Library Catalog, it is also possible to browse PAL's collection. To do so, it is important to understand call numbers and how to read them. To help, the charts below can help you understand where in PAL's collection you can find books about a given subject.
| Periodicals. Serials | ML1-5 |
| Directories. Almanacs | ML12-21 |
| Societies and other organizations | ML25-28 |
| Special collections | ML29-31 |
| Institutions | ML32-33 |
| Festivals. Congresses | ML35-38 |
| Programs | ML40-44 |
| Circulars and advertisements | ML45 |
| Scrapbooks | ML46 |
| Librettos. Texts. Scenarios | ML47-54.8 |
| Aspects of the field of music as a whole | ML55-89 |
| Manuscript studies and manuscripts | ML93-96.5 |
| Dictionaries. Encyclopedias | ML100-109 |
| Music librarianship | ML110-111.5 |
| Music printing and publishing | ML112-112.5 |
| Bibliography | ML112.8-158.8 |
| History and criticism | ML159-3785 |
| General works | ML159-161 |
| By period | ML162-197 |
| By region or country | ML198-360.6 |
| Biography | ML385-429 |
| Composition and performance | ML430-458 |
| Instruments and instrumental music | ML459-1380 |
| Vocal music | ML1400-3275 |
| Program music | ML3300-3351 |
| Dance music | ML3400-3465 |
| Popular music | ML3469-3541 |
| Folk, national, and ethnic music | ML3544-3776 |
| Music on particular topics | ML3780 |
| Musical journalism | ML3785 |
| Music trade | ML3790-3792 |
| Music as a profession. Vocational guidance | ML3795 |
| Musical research | ML3797-3799.5 |
| Philosophical and societal aspects of music. Physics and acoustics of music. Physiological aspects of music. | ML3800-3923 |
| General works | ML3800 |
| Physics and acoustics | ML3805-3817 |
| Physiological aspects of music | ML3820 |
| Psychology | ML3830-3840 |
| Aesthetics | ML3845-3877 |
| Criticism | ML3880-3915 |
| Social and political aspects of music | ML3916-3918 |
| Moral influence of music. Therapeutic use of music | ML3919-3920 |
| Religious aspects of music | ML3921-3921.8 |
| Music in the workplace | ML3922 |
| Literature for children | ML3928-3930 |
| General Works | MT1 |
| Music study abroad | M2.5 |
| History | MT3-5 |
| Music theory | MT5.5-7 |
| Printed pedagogical aids | MT9-15 |
| Examinations, exercises, etc. | MT9 |
| Teachers’ and supervisors’ manuals, etc. | MT10 |
| Charts, diagrams, etc. | MT15 |
| Music in special education | MT17 |
| Music in colleges and universities | MT18 |
| Systems and methods | MT20-34 |
| Notation | MT35-39 |
| Composition. Elements and techniques of music | MT40-67 |
| Improvisation. Accompaniment. Transposition | MT68 |
| Instrumentation and orchestration | MT70-74 |
| Interpretation | MT75 |
| Embellishment | MT80 |
| Memorizing | MT82 |
| Conducting. Score reading and playing | MT85 |
| Community music | MT87 |
| Administration and instruction of vocal groups | MT88 |
| Analysis and appreciation of musical works | MT90-146 |
| Audio-visual aids | MT150 |
| Music theory for children | MT155 |
| Tuning | MT165 |
| Instrumental techniques | MT170-810 |
| Keyboard instruments | MT179-258 |
| Stringed instruments. Bowed stringed instruments | MT259-338 |
| Wind instruments | MT339-533 |
| Plucked instruments | MT539-654 |
| Percussion and other instruments | MT655-725 |
| Ensembles | MT728-735 |
| Motion picture accompanying | MT737 |
| Instrumental techniques for children | MT740-810 |
| Singing and vocal technique | MT820-915 |
| Vocal techniques for children | MT898-915 |
| School music | MT918-948 |
| Kindergarten | MT920-925 |
| Elementary schools. Junior high schools. High schools | MT930-948 |
| Whistling | MT949.5 |
| Music to accompany instruction in ballet, folk dancing, gymnastics, etc. | MT950 |
| Musical theater | MT955-956 |
| Music in the theater | MT960 |
| Costume & Fashion | GT500 - 2370 |
| Dance Training | GV201-550 |
| Philosophy & Theory | GV1588 |
| Study & Teaching | GV1589 |
| General Works | GV1590-1594 |
| Special Topics | GV1595 |
| Dancing as a Profession | GV1597 |
| Dance Criticism & Appreciation | GV1600 |
| Dance History & Historical Dance | GV1645-1795 |
| Biographies | GV1785 |
| Special Dances | GV1796-1799 |