Library catalog

A library catalog (or library catalogue) is a register of all bibliographic items found in a particular library or group of libraries, such as those belonging to a university system spread out over several geographic locations. A bibliographic item can be any information entity (e.g., books, computer files, graphics, realia, cartographic materials, etc.), that is considered library material (e.g., a single novel in an anthology), or a group of library materials (e.g., a trilogy), 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.

Related Topics:
Library - Information entity - Realia - Novel - Anthology - Trilogy

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The card catalog was a familiar sight to library patrons 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", but this is incorrect. Some libraries with OPAC access still have card catalogs on site, but these are now strictly a secondary resource and are seldom updated. Many libraries who have retained their physical card catalog will place a sign advising the last year that the card catalog was updated. Some libraries have eliminated their card catalog in lieu of the OPAC for the purpose of saving space for other use, such as additional shelving.

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