Introduction to Cataloging for Non-Catalogers (LibraryU)

A self-paced, web-delivered course offered by the Illinois State Library's "Library U." You will need an account with WebJunction to register for this course. The WebJunction account is free; the Library U course costs $40. Library U's course description follows:

This course, aimed at library staff new to cataloging, provides an introduction to the purpose, importance and varieties catalogs. It also provides the learner with a basic orientation to standard cataloging activities.

Topics covered include

• The underlying concepts of cataloging
• A brief history of cataloging
• An explanation of why cataloging is important
• An overview of the characteristics and varieties of library cataloging.
  • Descriptive cataloging
  • Classification
  • Subject analysis
• And introduction to MARC 
• The varieties of OPAC displays
• The three different types of cataloging activity