Cataloging Basics

This six-week crash course in basic cataloging dives into cataloging using RDA, the Resource Description and Access standards, and using MARC, the Machine Readable Cataloging standards. The course will cover MARC fields 0XX-8XX and fixed-field elements, the most commonly used fields when cataloging library items.

Schedule: This is an asynchronous course, so students will not need to log in at a specific time. However, students are expected to complete assignments and quizzes by the end of each week.

Prerequisites: None.

Instructor: Eric McKinney

Course Access: This course is hosted on the Moodle learning platform and will be accessed via the SHARE training site. Registered participants will be emailed course access information before the course begins.

Cost: Free to Illinois librarians and library workers.

About the CMC's Multi-Week Cataloging Courses

For seasoned librarians interested in exploring new avenues in metadata, as well as library workers looking to learn the fundamentals of cataloging, the Cataloging Maintenance Center provides cataloging training for library workers across the state of Illinois. Subjects range from the basic to the complex — from cataloging fundamentals to the nuances of metadata across lending item types.

All courses are asynchronous, so students may study each module’s materials as their schedules allow so long as they complete the assignments and quizzes by the end of each week.

Courses are free to all library workers in Illinois thanks to a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library, a Department of the Office of the Secretary of State, using funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).

Please register for these classes using the link on this L2 page.

About the Cataloging Maintenance Center

The Cataloging Maintenance Center (CMC) provides statewide cataloging support for Illinois libraries, including free original and copy cataloging of eligible special collections, consultation on metadata projects, database cleanup for LLSAPs, cataloging training, and more. Funding for the CMC is provided through the Illinois State Library and the Secretary of State and administered by Illinois Heartland Library System. Learn more about the CMC at www.cmcillinois.org.