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Cataloging

Cataloging is the art of describing and organizing library materials so that they are accessible to the patron.  While this can be a daunting task to most small libraries staff, there is help available through book vendors that offer cataloging and processing options for a fee.  Contact your vendor and ask about their cataloging/processing services.  Normally, you will fill out a profile of your cataloging preferences and then the company will catalog according to the directions you have given in the profile.

If you are interested in doing your own cataloging, the AALS Professional Collection has several titles available to you.  We have the complete set of the Dewey Decimal Classification (edition 22), the Anglo American Cataloging Rules (AACR2) up to the 2003 updates, MARC 21 for Everyone, Small Library Cataloging, Dewey Decimal Classification: A Practical Guide and Cataloging Non-print and Internet Resources are just a few of the titles that are available.

You might also want to view this highly recommended site from Vermont for cataloging resources.

You can find an online tutorial on technical services offered by Idaho’s Alternative Basic Library Education which is found here.  

Other Web sites that focus on cataloging are found below.

 Library of Congress Cataloging and Acquisitions Page

 Cataloger’s Reference Shelf 

 ACQWEB’s Cataloging Sites 

 Dewey Decimal Classification Table

 Dewey Decimal System’s Home Page