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The Daily Insight Hub

What are the parts of a card catalog?

Author

Rachel Davis

Updated on February 14, 2026

What are the parts of card catalog

  • Title Card – the card that indicates the title of a book or an article in the first line.
  • Author Card – the card that indicates the name of the author or authors in the first line.
  • Subject Card – the card that indicates the non-fiction subject of the book.
  • Author/s name/s.
  • Subject.
  • ISBN.

How are books listed in the card catalog?

Most library systems assign call numbers based on the subject matter covered in the item. A typical card catalog would list items by author, title, and subject or might combine all three into one alphabetically arranged system. database: A computerized system for indexing and retrieving information.

What is a call number used for in the library catalog system?

A call number is a unique identification code assigned to each book that clearly identifies it from other books (call numbers are also used for other items in the library such as periodicals). It consists of a combination of numbers and letters.

What is the importance of card catalog?

The information contained in the cataloging record provides the many access points needed by the patron looking for information in the library. Traditionally, the library card catalog provided access by the author’s name, the title of an item, and the subject(s) covered in the item.

How do you call a number in a library?

The call number represents what the book is about and acts like the book’s address on the library’s shelves or stacks. Because books on the shelves are arranged in call number order, you will find books on similar subjects shelved near each other. Read the call number from left to right.

Is ISBN and call number the same?

An ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is a book title identifier. Don’t confuse an ISBN with a library call number for a book. You can distinguish the two because there there are no letters or periods in an ISBN, only hypens.

What do you mean by a catalogue?

a complete, usually alphabetical list of items, often with notes giving details. a book, usually illustrated, containing details of items for sale, esp as used by mail-order companies. a list of all the books or resources of a library.

The DDC and ISBN can assist with finding a book in any catalog system. The main types include author, subject and title. An author system lists books alphabetically by author. The subject catalog sorts its inventory by subject and a librarian can assist with understanding the system if it is highly refined.

Where is the author name on a card catalog?

The book author’s name is at the top of each card catalog entry. When no author is available, the institution, organization or company that created the book is listed. The title is next unless the card catalog is organized by an index of titles.

How does the library card catalog help you?

• The subject card lists each book of non – fiction by the name of its subject. • The call helps us find any book in the library. It is preset in all three card catalogs. 1. • The library has many kinds of materials to help you in your schoolwork – books, encyclopedias, newspapers, and magazines.

Where is the bibliographic information on a card catalog?

The bibliographic information of each book was noted on the blank back of playing cards and added to the growing inventory of publicly available books.