Most college and university libraries arrange their books using the Library of Congress Classification system.
This system uses the letters of the alphabet to distinguish major subject divisions.
For History, note especially:
D call numbers = World History. Floor 3 - North side
E call numbers = United State History. Floor 3 -- East side.
E 75 - 99 call numbers = Native American History. Floor 3 -- East side.
E 185 call numbers = African American History. Floor 3 -- East side.
E 440 - 450 call numbers = Slavery & Anti-Slavery History. Floor 3 -- East side
F call numbers = State and Local U.S. History; Canadian History;
F 1 - 975 call numbers = U.S. State and Local History. Floor 4 -- North side.
F 536 - 550 call numbers = Illinois History. Floor 4 -- North side.
F 1000 - 1145 call numbers = Canadian History. Floor 4 -- North side
F 1201 - 3799 call numbers = Latin American History. Floor 4 -- North side
H call numbers = Social Sciences. -- Floor 4
HQ call numbers -- Floor 4 -- south side.