What is a catalog card? Complete guide
What is the Catalog Sheet?
The catalog form is a mandatory and essential document when publishing a book.. It facilitates the cataloging and identification of the work in libraries and other institutions. In this guide, we will cover in detail how to create a catalog card, following standards and recommended practices. Follow each step and learn how to make your book more professional and organized.
A catalog card can only be issued by a responsible librarian with an active CRB number (Regional Library Certificate), in accordance with Resolution 184/2017 of the Federal Library Council.
Therefore, if you are not a librarian, you will not be able to create a catalog card. You will need to hire a librarian. But don't worry, here at SGuerra Design we have a professional qualified to create the catalog form in accordance with all current laws. Hire my service ISBN and catalog card herei.
Where is the catalog card located in a book?
The catalog card is a small rectangle that contains detailed bibliographic information about the book. It is usually positioned on the back of the title page, the second or fourth page of the book. The information included is essential for cataloging and identifying the book in libraries and other bibliographic data storage institutions.
Although you will find it at the beginning of the work, this is not a rule followed by all publishers. Some choose to place it on the last page of the book or possibly some other location, depending on the graphic design adopted. Children's books tend to break this rule more frequently.
Importance of the Catalog Sheet
The catalog card serves to organize and catalog the book in a standardized way, facilitating search and access to the work. Furthermore, she:
- Makes book identification easier: The information present helps you quickly identify the book and the author.
- Standardizes cataloging: Following specific standards ensures that the book is cataloged uniformly across different libraries.
- Helps librarians and readers: Ensures that all necessary data is available, making life easier for anyone looking for information about the book.
Structure of the Catalog Sheet
The catalog card is made up of several lines of specific information. We will detail each of them to ensure you understand their function and the correct way to complete them.
Cutter-Sanborn Code
The first line of the catalog card contains a code derived from the Cutter-Sanborn table, which corresponds to the author's surname. This code is made up of a letter followed by numbers. For example, if the author is Pedro Moraes Junior, the code should be “M827m“, as it corresponds to the surname Moraes (below, we will talk about the correct order for first name and last name). This code helps to order books in libraries.
To find the correct code:
- Identify the author's last name.
- Consult the Cutter-Sanborn table and find the code closest to the surname.
If the book title starts with the letter “M“, add a “mlowercase ” next to the code. In the case of the catalog card above, the name of the book is Many miles of gratitude: from São Paulo's bike paths to American roads. So the code will be “M827m”.
Author's name and year of birth
After the Cutter-Sanborn code, you must enter the author's name in the format “Last name“. For example: "Moraes Junior, Pedro“. Then add the author's year of birth. This helps distinguish authors with similar names.
Book's title
The title of the book should be on the next line. This line must start from the fourth letter of the author's surname. For example, if the surname is “Battistoni”, start writing the title from the fourth letter of the surname.
Book Edition
In the same line as the title, you must specify the edition of the book. For example: “1st edition”. This indicates whether the book is the first, second or third edition, among others.
Place of Publication and Publisher
The next line must include the city where the book was published and the name of the publisher, or “Author's edit” if the book is independently published. Next, the year of publication must be included.
ISBNs
The ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is a unique identifier for books. I talk in more detail about ISBN here.
Dewey Decimal Classification (CDD)
A Decimal Classification of Dewey (in English: Dewey Decimal Classification; DDC or CDD), also known as the Dewey Decimal System, is a document organization system created by the American librarian Melvil Dewey (1851–1931) in 1876. Since then, it has undergone major modifications and expansions in twenty-three significant revisions until 2011. Dewey can be considered one of the pioneers of the idea of “gathering and organizing to find”. Guided by philosophical principles that influenced the classificatory ideas of Harris and Bacon, Dewey gave the classification of documents an effectively practical dimension.
In this case, the Dewey Decimal Classification (CDD), which categorizes the book in a system used worldwide for organizing libraries. For example: “920”, which represents Biography and genealogy.
Subject
At the end of the card, up to three categories or subjects are included that describe the content of the book, as in the case of this catalog card: “São Paulo – Description and trips"and "United States – Descriptions and travel".
Additional Information
Some books also include the number of pages and physical size of the book on the catalog card, although this is not required.
Conclusion
A catalog card may seem complicated at first, but with this detailed guide, you will be able to understand it. A well-prepared card will ensure that your book is well cataloged and easily identified in any library.
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