How to Create a Card Catalog

• 1). Decide what kind of catalog system---the Dewey Decimal System (DDS) or the Library of Congress Classification (LCC)---is more suited to accommodate your collection. The DDS organizes books first under 10 subject classes, then into 10 divisions, then into 10 subdivisions. Within subdivisions, books and other media are assigned numeric call numbers. The LCC system features 21 subject categories and identifies items within these categories with a combination of letters and numbers. If your collection is more specialized or if it contains mostly academic titles, then the LCC system is probably better for you.
  
  
• 2). Take inventory of every book and media item that you intend to catalog. Write the author's name, title, subject headings and ISBN (in that order) on an index card. The ISBN is the number beneath the bar code on the back of most books. If no author is given, then list the editor, company or organization that produced the title. For subject headings, list 3-5 subjects that identify the thematic content of the item.
  
  
• 3). Arrange all items into classifications. You can make your own classifications, using LCC or DDS categories as examples. Base your classifications off of the categories of subject matter most represented by your library collection. Many books and other media are not singular in terms of subject matter. For instance, you might have a book that falls under the categories of politics and education. However, you must narrow it down to one category since you will only be assigning each item one call number.
  
  
• 4). Assign a call number to each item that corresponds with the classifications of the system you are modeling. (For instance, assign a number if you are using DDS; assign an alphanumeric code if you are using LCC.)
  
  
• 5). Write the call number on the top left hand corner of the corresponding index card.
  
  
• 6). Make sticker labels for each item with the call number printed on the label. Then put the stickers on the spine of each book or whatever part of the media item will be visible when the item is shelved.
  
  
• 7). Alphabetize all the index cards by author's last name. The card catalog will be author-indexed. If you want a title index as well, then copy each index card (this time listing the title before the author on the card) and alphabetize cards by title.
  
  
• 8). Place all of the cards in a drawer or box. Divide the cards by using tabs to mark letters.