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Elements of Cataloging and Classification

Cataloging a book—or any other library material—involves a series of related tasks that support the goals outlined by Charles Ammi Cutter in 1904. According to Cutter, a catalog should:

Help users locate a book when they know the author, title, or subject
Show what the library holds by a specific author, on a particular subject, or within a certain type of literature
Assist users in selecting a book that suits their needs

(Adapted from Rules for a Printed Dictionary Catalogue, 4th ed., p. 12)

To achieve these goals, catalogers:

Prepare a detailed description of the item
Assign appropriate subject headings
Determine its placement using a classification system
Provide a link to the digital version, if available
Provide MARC tags or metadata so the record appears in the local catalog and whichever bibliographic utility the library uses, like OCLC or Skyriver.

Elements of the cataloging process are explained in more detail in other sections of this Guide, along with recommended tools and resources.

Key Resources

RDA: Resource Description and Access
RDA: Resource Description and Access was developed by the RDA Steering Committee to replace the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, 2nd Edition Revised, which were first published in 1978.

RDA is a package of data elements, guidelines, and instructions for creating library and cultural heritage resource metadata that are well-formed according to international models for user-focussed linked data applications.
Dewey Decimal Classification
Source for both print and Web formats of the most widely used classification system.
Library of Congress Classification System
The Library of Congress Classification (LCC) is a classification system that was first developed in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries to organize and arrange the book collections of the Library of Congress.
Library of Congress Subject Headings
The Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) is perhaps the most widely adopted subject indexing language in the world, has been actively maintained since 1898 to catalog materials held at the Library of Congress.
Cataloger's Desktop
Cataloger's Desktop is an integrated, online documentation system with almost 300 of the most important cataloging and metadata resources, including RDA Toolkit, LC policy statements, subject cataloging manuals, MARC formats, and LC Rule Interpretations.
RDA Resources
List of books on cataloging, with particular reference to RDA.

Cataloging and Classification by Athena Salaba; Lois Mai Chan
ISBN: 9781538132913
Publication Date: 2023-07-19
The fifth edition of Cataloging and Classification sets a new standard for cataloging texts, incorporating major developments such as the IFLA Library Reference Model (LRM) and the revised RDA. The content has been fully reorganized and updated, with new chapters and a clear focus on the four core functions of cataloging: description, authority work, subject access, and classification. Standards, tools, and practical examples are integrated throughout to support understanding and application. A companion website with interactive learning activities and supplementary materials is available at catclassintro.org, making this edition a comprehensive and dynamic resource for cataloging professionals.
Introduction to Cataloging and Classification by Arlene G. Taylor; Daniel N. Joudrey; David P. Miller
ISBN: 9781598848571
Publication Date: 2015-09-29
A new edition of this best-selling textbook reintroduces the topic of library cataloging from a fresh, modern perspective. * Delineates the new cataloging landscape * Shares a principles-based perspective * Provides introductory text for beginners and intermediate students * Emphasizes descriptive and subject cataloging, as well as format-neutral cataloging * Covers new cataloging rules and RDA
Standard Cataloging for School and Public Libraries by Sheila S. Intner; Jean Weihs
ISBN: 9781610691147
Publication Date: 2014-11-01
A proven resource for librarians and students, this updated classic opens the door to understanding current library cataloging processes, shows you how to use them to create standard catalog records, and provides guidance in managing the cataloging workflow. * Describes today's new cataloging tools and shows how they are applied to real resources in various media, sharing numerous examples that illustrate the points raised * Explains the way library catalog records are produced for online catalogs * Describes MARC formats and explains how they relate to new metadata schemas such as MARC XML, the Dublin Core, and BIBFRAME * Discusses how to set goals and objectives, supervise others, evaluate outputs, and report to and interact with internal and external players in the world of libraries * Includes examples and illustrations of all tools and offers practice exercises to reinforce understanding

Attribution

This guide is an amalgamation of libguides created by Sharon Smith at Eastern Connecticut State University and the ALA's Cataloging Tools and Resources Guide. Both are reused with permission. Changes have been made to update links and reflect local practices.