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Glite Dictionary
library catalog

library catalog

1 2.1
A list that shows all the books and other items a library has
  • noun
  • /ˈlaɪbrəri ˈkætəlɒg/
translation icon : catálogo de la biblioteca
  • The university's library catalog lists thousands of books and journals available for students to borrow.
  • search the library catalog
  • online library catalog
  • library catalog database

Examples

  • Many public library catalogs now allow users to search for e-books and audiobooks online.

  • To find rare books, you should search the library catalog for their availability in various libraries.

  • But who among us has ever described our library catalogs in that way?

    Academic text (2014)

  • What will our next generation of library catalogs look like?

    Academic text (2011)

  • The library website normally includes access to online library catalogs and electronic resources, information about the library, and much more.

    Academic text (2015)

  • Link quality websites to your online library catalog for easy access.

    Academic text (2012)

  • The second idea explores the library catalog as a remote community space for readers.

    Academic text (2011)

  • For inclusion in a library catalog, undergo vetting from qualified staff.

    Academic text (2007)

  • Additionally, since OCLC's primary partners are libraries, WorldCat data reflects the material typically found in library catalogs.

    Academic text (2015)

  • Users found and requested already-purchased Kindle titles through the library's catalog or via a Kindle webpage on the OSUL website.

    Academic text (2012)

Synonyms

list
vslibrary catalog
∞ 1.0

An ordered set of names or things for reference

focuses on materials in a specific collection and includes details not just names
catalog
vslibrary catalog
  • US
211 2.5

A list of items with details, often in a book

is limited to materials owned by a specific collection rather than any general list
listing
vslibrary catalog
134 2.3

A printed or online list of items for people to look at

is specifically about materials held by a collection rather than general reference records
card catalog
vslibrary catalog
  • Archaic
1 3.7

A set of paper cards in drawers that lists library books and where to find them

is usually a structured digital database of holdings rather than paper records

How Complete

library catalog
1 2.1
list
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

library catalog singular
library catalogs plural
library-catalogs plural
library-catalog singular

Morphology

library + catalog

The meaning is directly and transparently derived from combining 'library' (an organized collection of books/resources) with 'catalog' (an ordered list describing items): the phrase simply denotes the catalog belonging to or describing a library's holdings. This noun+noun compositional pattern is common across languages and follows standard English compounding, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents should readily understand it.

Etymology

The noun library catalog comes from the old image of a library filled with drawers of catalog cards, each card naming a book and showing where to find it. That's why library catalog means a 'list' or computer list of all the books and other materials in a library.