Page 32 - DLIS102_LIBRARY_AND_ITS_USERS

Reena Kapoor, Lovely Professional University Unit 5: Library Catalogues

Notes
Unit 5: Library Catalogues

CONTENTS

Objectives

Introduction
5.1 Catalog Card

5.2 Effectiveness
5.3 Summary

5.4 Keywords
5.5 Review Questions

5.6 Further Readings

Objectives

After studying this unit, you will be able to:
• Know about the library catalog
• Discuss the different types of catalog
• Understand the effectiveness of cost benefit.

Introduction

A library catalog (or library catalogue) is a register of all bibliographic items found in a library or
group of libraries, such as a network of libraries at several locations. A bibliographic item can be any
information entity (e.g., books, computer files, graphics, regalia, cartographic materials, etc.) that is
considered library material (e.g., a single novel in an anthology), or a group of library materials (e.g.,
atrilogy), or linked from the catalog (e.g., a webpage) as far as it is relevant to the catalog and to the
users (patrons) of the library.
The card catalog was a familiar sight to library users for generations, but it has been effectively
replaced by the online public access catalog (OPAC). Some still refer to the online catalog as a “card
catalog”. Some libraries with OPAC access still have card catalogs on site, but these are now strictly
a secondary resource and are seldom updated. Many of the libraries that have retained their physical
card catalog post a sign advising the last year that the card catalog was updated. Some libraries
have eliminated their card catalog in favour of the OPAC for the purpose of saving space for other
use, such as additional shelving.

LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY 27