Card catalogs are used by libraries to help patrons locate books. Usually, libraries have two separate card catalogs, one for fiction books and one for non fiction books. The card catalog for fiction books is usually arranged alphabetically by author. The card catalog for non fiction books is usually arranged by subject, using the Dewey decimal system. However, books about a particular topic are
. arranged alphabetically by author. In addition, if the books are biographies, they may be arranged alphabetically by subject of the biography.A card catalog has different elements. For a fiction book, the card has the name of the author of the book, with the last name and first name separated by a comma. The card also has the title of the book. There may also be a brief summary of the book on the card and also a summary of keywords for classifying the book. Depending on the library, there may also be a library of congress classification for the book. The library of congress classification system divides books into 21 different categories, classified by a letter. Each of which is divided into sub categories, also represented by another letter. Each of those sub categories may be subdivided into other categories, represented by letters and numbers.For non fiction books, libraries usually put the classification of the book based on the Dewey decimal system. This system classifies different books based on subject matter. The subject will be at the top of the card. Then, below that, there will be the author of the book, with last name first and then first time, separated by a comma. Then, there will be the book's title as well as a summary of the book. There may also be keywords to categorize the topics the book covers.Now, most libraries do not use card catalogs and instead have computerized systems. However, some older libraries still use them. As do libraries with very old or antique collections. Therefore, it is still useful for library patrons to know how to use card catalogs. More reference links: http://www.oclc.org/support/documentation/worldcat/cataloging/cards/ http://www.library.illinois.edu/rex/guides/cardcat/index.html
