The Basics

WebJunction Course Catalog
The Course Catalog has over 10 webinar recordings and self-paced courses that you can take at any time on topics including basic cataloging, the "accidental" cataloger and an introduction to RDA. Accounts are free and you receive a certification of completion after you complete the course.

Cataloging Overview: Fundamentals
This slide presentation by Robin Fay (Cataloging Dept, University of Georgia) offers a clear overview of the basic concepts, organizing principles and tools of cataloging. “Cataloging is as much about the mindset and principles as it is about the mechanics. Cataloging takes practice.”

Competencies for Cataloging and Classification

• As defined by the Library Support Staff Certification Program
• As defined by the Competency Index for the Library Field (WebJunction)

The Future of Cataloging is RDA-colored

Designed for the digital world and an expanding universe of metadata users, RDA: Resource Description and Access is the new, unified cataloging standard—an evolution of the cataloging principles from AACR2, with rules carried over or adapted to the RDA model. (from RDA Toolkit)

RDA Steering Committee (RSC)
Details and FAQs about RDA from the committee that approves the standard.
 
Trepidation or Anticipation: The Future of Cataloging and Catalogers
A slide presentation from Karen Coyle, Gordon Dunsire and Diane Hillmann that asks “whither cataloging?” (and catalogers?), and maps a route through the new world, including a walk-through of a concrete cataloger scenario.
 
RDA angst and the future of library metadata
Cataloging Futures blogger writes “I find myself reluctantly in the RDA fan club” and sparks a vigorous conversation about RDA (and cataloger) angst.
 
Barometer of cataloger reactions to change from a slide presentation (slide #8) by Elaine Sanchez, Alkek Library, Texas State University-San Marcos.
 
The Semantic Web
This slide presentation from the University of Leeds combines graphics and brief text for a clear, concise explanation of the general principles and standards that will actualize Tim Berners-Lee’s vision of the Web of “intelligent agents.”

Tools

DDC 23 is here!
https://www.oclc.org/en/dewey.html
The print edition of the Dewey Decimal Classification, DDC 23, is now available from OCLC, along with the new, easier-to-use WebDewey 2.0.
 
Cataloger’s Desktop
http://www.loc.gov/cds/desktop/
A web-based subscription service from the Library of Congress that aggregates multiple cataloging tools for ready access, including AACR2, DACS, and other LC cataloging publications.