catalog-collection

# Catalog Collection Catalog and classify library or archival materials using standard classification systems and descriptive cataloging practices. ## When to Use - You are organizing a personal, institutional, or community library from scratch - You need to assign call numbers and subject headings to new acquisitions - You want to create consistent catalog records for findability - You are reclassifying a collection that has outgrown its original system - You need to establish authority control for authors, series, or subjects ## Inputs - **Required**: Materials to catalog (books, serials, media, archival items) - **Required**: Chosen classification system (Dewey Decimal or Library of Congress) - **Optional**: Existing catalog or inventory to integrate with - **Optional**: Subject heading authority (LCSH, Sears, or custom thesaurus) - **Optional**: MARC-compatible cataloging software (Koha, Evergreen, LibraryThing) ## Procedure ### Step 1: Choose the Classification System Select a system that matches the collection's size, scope, and audience. ```text Classification System Comparison: +----------------------------+-------------------------------+-------------------------------+ | Criterion | Dewey Decimal (DDC) | Library of Congress (LCC) | +----------------------------+-------------------------------+-------------------------------+ | Best for | Public/school libraries, | Academic/research libraries, | | ...