card catalog
Alphabetized book index
A card catalog is a collection of paper index cards, typically housed in rows of small drawers, used to organize and locate books in a library.
Each card contains bibliographic information—author, title, subject—with cards filed alphabetically.
Before digital databases, the card catalog was the primary tool for finding library materials: She looked up the book in the card catalog.
Now largely replaced by computerized systems, though the term persists as a reference point for older library research methods.
Storing documents systematically
- indexAlphabetical guide to contents
- lookupAct of retrieving information
- searchAct of seeking
- alphabetizeArrange in letter order
organize · sort · browse · locate · access · reference · systematic · arrangement
Quality from past eras
- obsoleteNo longer in use
- analogComparable equivalent
- brass hardwareMetal fixtures for furniture
- typewrittenProduced by striking keys
handwritten · musty · historic · antique · traditional · old-fashioned · quaint · bygone
Library classification by numbers
- call numberLibrary classification code
- classificationSystematic grouping by traits
- cross-referenceNotation pointing elsewhere
- circulationMovement through a system
accession · reference · stacks · librarian · periodical · patron · microfiche · reading room
filing
Storing documents systematically
alphabetize · organize · sort · browse · locate · access · reference · systematic · arrangement · drawer
vintage
Quality from past eras
- obsoleteNo longer in use
- analogComparable equivalent
- brass hardwareMetal fixtures for furniture
typewritten · handwritten · musty · historic · antique · traditional · old-fashioned · quaint · bygone · institutional
Dewey Decimal
Library classification by numbers
- call numberLibrary classification code
- classificationSystematic grouping by traits
- cross-referenceNotation pointing elsewhere
circulation · accession · reference · stacks · librarian · periodical · patron · microfiche · reading room · reserve
- librarylibrarian, book stacks, books, bookshelves, circulation desk
- librarieslibrarians, public libraries, librarian, public library, research libraries
- Analog Eratypewriter, rotary phone, record player, phonograph, turntable
- catalogsproduct listing, item description, metadata, museum collection, photo archive
- library areasreading room, stacks, reference desk, circulation desk, rare book room
- library featuresreading rooms, book collection, periodicals, newspapers, audiobooks
card catalogonline catalog
Browsable digital product listing
digital catalog · search engine · Google · library database · database search
card, catalog, cards, postcard, postcards, cataloging, catalogs, cataloged, cataloger