This is a general descriptive and comparative report on alternative forms of library catalogs. The specific problems and factors associated with library catalogs are introduced briefly and then treated with respect to the following physical forms: card catalogs, book catalogs, microforms, and on-line catalogs. Whenever possible, examples of…

An attempt is made to relate technological potentials and limitations to some of the major current trends, problems, and objectives of the library. Attention is focused on the large, university, research-oriented library since it is here that one finds the most difficult resource access and bibliographic control problems. A synopsis is presented…