DEFINITION

• the term catalogue originates from the two greek phrases kata + logos. kata means according to and logos means order. so the literal
meaning of catalogue is arrangement of reading material in a reasonable means in a particular order. the various authorities of library
science have defined the term catalogue at various time in their own fashion. the first systematic definition is given by c.a. cutter in his
famous book ‘rules for dictionary catalogue’ in 1876. according to him ‘catalogue is a list of books which is arranged on some definite
plan. as distinguished from a bibliography, it is a list of books in some library or collection’. as in 19th century the measure part of the
collection of library was books, cutter has used the term book. in the second part of his definition he has distinguished the catalogue
from bibliography, as bibliography is also a list of book on some topic, author or subject of particular library or group of libraries.
according to j.d. brown ‘catalogue is an explanatory logically arranged inventory and key to the books and their contents and it is
confined to the books in a particular library’. according to him catalogue is always a logically arranged and it is not only confined to the
books but also includes their contents. h.a. sharp in his book ‘catalogue: a text book for use in libraries’ has defined the catalogue as a
‘list to books and other reading material in the holding of a library or a group of libraries. the list contains entries of books, arranged
according to some definite plan’. the use of the term group of libraries creates confusion as the catalogue of group of libraries is known
as union catalogue and not a catalogue. s.r. ranganathan has defined catalogue in his book library catalogue: fundamental and
procedure in 1938 as ‘it is a tool which gives information about the contents of the library. it is divided into 2 parts – in subject and by
author. it gives information about the arrangement and order in which they are lying in the shelves. it helps the reader to find out his or
her desired book without any loss of time. it saves the time of the reader’. ranganathan’s definition is based on five laws of library
science and it includes all the functions of library catalogue. the most systematic definition is given by oxford english dictionary –‘now
usually distinguished from a mere list or enumerations, by systematic or methodical arrangement, alphabetical or other order, and often
by the addition of brief particulars, descriptive or aiding identification, indicative of locality, position, date, price or the like’. this
definition emphasizes on descriptive catalogue, while in open access library there is no need of description about the collation and
imprint.
To summarize, we can say that a library catalogue is a systematically arranged list
of books, periodicals, manuscripts, maps, films, audio records and other graphic
material. It contains the whole bibliographical information of a document viz
author, title, publisher, edition etc. It is limited to a particular library.
 FUNCTIONS The main function of library catalogue is to help the
exploitation of resources of the library. Cutter has discussed the
functions of library catalogue as: 1.To enable a person to find a book of
which either the (a)Author (b) Title, or (c) Subject is known
 2.To show what the library has (d) By a given
author (e) On a given subject and (f) In a given kind
of literature.
3.To assist in the choice of book as to its (g) Edition, and (h)
Character According to Margaret Mann ‘the purpose of cataloguing is
to put order into a collection of books so that volumes may be
located and used for reference and circulation.
 According to Margaret Mann ‘the purpose of cataloguing is to put order
into a collection of books so that volumes may be located and used for
reference and circulation. Ranganathan has defined the functions of
library catalogue in confirmation with the laws of library science.
The first law demands that any book in the stock of library must be
made available to a reader as and when asked for. According to him
many books are of composite nature. Neither the title nor the main
entry may disclose the contents.
The Second law of library science – every reader his/her book
demands that hidden contents should be brought to the notice
of the readers by preparing subject analytical entries.
 So also with the Third Law every book
its reader demands subject analytical.
The Fourth law save the time of the reader as well as of the staff not
only demands subject analytical but also a bipartite catalogue:
alphabetical and classified parts so that the desired book is made
available to the reader in minimum possible time.
 The Fifth law - library is a growing organism warrants adoption of a published
catalogue code for consistency and choice of the physical form of catalogue
According to Ranganathan catalogue is a ‘tool for the fulfillment of the laws of
library science. He has summarize the functions of library catalogue as:
(a)To disclose every reader his or
her documents
 (b)To secure for every document its
reader
(c)To save the time of the reader,
and for this purpose
(d)To save the time of the staff In general the library
catalogue is expected to answer the following queries
of the readers: (a)Is a particular book is in the library?
(b)Which books by a particular
author are in the library collection?
(c)Is there a book in the library with
such and such title?
(d)Is there a book in the library with such and such collaborator i.e. editor, translator,
reviser, compiler, illustrator etc. (e)Which are the books in the library with such and
such series. (f)The books on a given subject. (g)To provide bibliographical information
of a particular book i.e. author, title, series, edition, publisher, year of publication etc.
CHARACTERISTICS
Seeing the above functions performed by a library catalogue, we can
say that it is an essential tool for locating the books from the library
collection. Without a catalogue, a library is regarded as human being
without eyes and a house without windows.
Importance of Library Catalogue in
Open Access System .
In olden times Close Access System was in vogue due to rarity of reading material. As reader were not allowed to search the books personally, library
catalogue was the only tool, through which they were able to search it. In modern times all the libraries provide open access facility and readers are allowed
to locate their required reading material without hindrance. They are tempted to go to the shelves directly and not to use catalogue. Hence there is a group
of librarians and user, who are of the opinion that in open access system, the library catalogue has lost its importance. This is a wrong conception. In open
access, librarycatalogue is more required as compared in close access. Due to open access facility, most of the popular books will be out of the stack room
and issued to readers. In the absence of library catalogue, readers will not be able to know whether particular book is in library holdings or not and they will
be disappointed. If there is a library catalogue they will be ascertained that the book is in library, it means it is issued to some other reader. Hence he can
reserve the book at the circulation counter and as and when the desired book is returned, he will be informed accordingly and he will be able to have his
required book.
Importance of library catalogue if the reading
material is arranged in a classified order.
Again it is misconception that if the books are arranged on shelves in stack room and properly guided,
reader can find his desired book easily approaching through subject. According to Sharp catalogue is
complement of classification. Classification serves only one approach that too is incomplete in case of
multifocal books (dealing more than one subject). Library catalogue serves various lines of approaches
i.e. author, collaborator, title, series etc. Hence even in classified library, catalogue is a valuable tool.
 Indispensible tool for other sections
of the library
lIbrary Catalogue Is an Indispensible Tool For Providing Reference Service, Book Selection, Classification, Cataloguing And Circulation Activities Of The Library. It Is
Like A Pivot Around Witch All The Activities Of Library Rotates. Realizing The Importance Of Catalogue, Edward Edwards, Has Remarked In 1859 In His Book
Memoirs Of Libraries That ‘there Is No Matter Connected With The Administration Of A Public Library Which Can Vie, In Point Of Importance, With The Character
And The Conditions Of Its Catalogue. However Liberal Its Accessibility, However Able It’s Chief, However Numerous And Well Trained Its Staff, However Large And
Well Selected Its Stock Of Books, It Will Fall Lamentably Short Of True Standard Of A Good Library If Its Catalogue Be Not (I) Well Constructed, (Ii) Well Kept Up
With The Growth Of The Collection And (Iii) Thoroughly At The Commend Of Its Frequenter’. On December The 31st, 1865, A User Of The Library Of The American
Geographical Society Wrote To The President Of The Society Thus ‘open The New Year By Making A Catalogue Of Your Library. A Library Without A Catalogue Is
Very Much In The Condition Of A Man Without A Name, A Gentleman Without A Card Or An Individual Without A Post Office Address. Reform This’. Just As The
Starry Heaven Reveals The Glory Of The God, The Catalogue Reveals The Glory Ofthe Librarian.
REFERENCE : Trust Gumbo(National University of
Sciences and Technology; NUST, Lis and a Graduate
Student) from https//.www.Academia edu.com