How to Start a Card Catalog

With hundreds or thousands of books, a card catalog is a necessity.

Computer-based library catalog searches are commonplace in many libraries, and some libraries have gone so far as to retire their physical card catalogs completely. In a small library -- especially a teaching library -- a card catalog can be a powerful tool. A card catalog lets educators show their students a physical demonstration of concepts such as the difference between non-fiction and fiction and the Dewey decimal organization system.

Things You'll Need

• Books
• Catalog or index cards
• Typewriter
• Card catalog

Instructions

1. Visit at least a library with a card catalog, if possible. Observe how the catalog is organized. Many libraries offer the option to search alphabetically by both title and author. Decide if you will offer title search, author search or both in your card catalog.

2. Take out a few cards from the library's card catalog to see what information is included. Decide if you need only basic information, such as the name of the item, dewey decimal number, media type, author and publisher or distributor, or if you would like additional descriptive information, such as the number of pages or video length and a description of the plot or book subject.

3. Order the books alphabetically by title or author. Choose one sorting method to start with now if you will include both author and title search in your card catalog.

4. Open the first book to the copyright page, where the author and publisher information is listed. Type the Dewey decimal number and first few letters of the author's last name on the left-hand column of the card. Type the title of the book or film at the top of the center section, with the author's name, publication information and description below, in that order.

5. Make a card for each book, working your way through one pile at a time, taking care to keep the books in alphabetical order. Make two copies of each book's card if you plan to organize your catalog both by title and author. Keep the cards in alphabetically ordered stacks as you type them or put them directly into the drawers of your card catalog.

6. Place all of the typewritten cards in the card catalog moving from the top left drawer down the column and then up to the second column from the left and all the way down. Make labels for each drawer showing what starting letter is inside. If there are multiple drawers for one letter, use the first two letters of the entry on the first card and the first two letters on the entry of the last card, such as Sc-Sp.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep each letter in its own drawer if space allows.

References

• Library Journal: The Card Catalog Makes a Graceful Departure at the University of South Carolina