Become a cataloging expert with these in-depth 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 via the Library Directory & Learning Calendar (L2) website or using the links below.
Cataloging 3D Objects, Kits, and Realia
July 11–Aug. 5, 2022
The course consists of four weeks of content, quizzes, assignments, and outside resources such as OCLC Bibliographic Formats and Standards, OLAC’s Best Practices for Cataloging Objects Using RDA and MARC 21, MARC 21 for Bibliographic Data, Library of Congress authority file, and other documents and videos. During the course, students will originally catalog 3D and 2D objects and kits including games, flyers, a bingo set, a postcard, and other challenging 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: Basic cataloging knowledge and experience are recommended.
Instructor: Dr. Pamela Thomas
Course Access: This course is hosted on the Moodle learning platform. Registered participants will be emailed course access information before the course begins.
Cost: Free to Illinois librarians and library workers.
Register for Cataloging 3D Objects, Kits, and Realia
Subject Analysis
Aug. 8–Sept. 16, 2022
The Subject Analysis course consists of six weeks of content and assignments. There are text files, online quizzes, and links to outside resources (OCLC Bibliographic Formats and Standards, Library of Congress authority file, MARC21 for Bibliographic Data, videos, and documents).
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: Knowledge of MARC (MAchine-Readable Cataloging) and authority records is recommended.
Instructor: Dr. Pamela Thomas
Course Access: This course is hosted on the Moodle learning platform. Registered participants will be emailed course access information before the course begins.
Cost: Free to Illinois librarians and library workers.
Cataloging Basics
Sept. 26–Nov. 4, 2022
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. Registered participants will be emailed course access information before the course begins.
Cost: Free to Illinois librarians and library workers
Register for Cataloging Basics
RDA Books
Jan. 16–Feb. 26, 2023
Are you new to RDA guidelines (Resource Description and Access) or just need a refresher? Have you recently switched jobs and need to brush up on your cataloging skills? If so, then this is the course for you! This eight-week course covers the changes from AACR to RDA guidelines, FRBR, WEMI, identifying hybrid, AACR and RDA records, and series will be covered. Participants will take quizzes and copy catalog books.
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: Basic cataloging knowledge and experience are required.
Course Access: This course is hosted on the Moodle learning platform. Registered participants will be emailed course access information before the course begins.
Cost: Free to Illinois librarians and library workers.
Register for RDA Book Training
Cataloging Basics
March 27–May 5, 2023
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. Registered participants will be emailed course access information before the course begins.
Cost: Free to Illinois librarians and library workers
Register for Cataloging Basics
RDA Video and Audio Recordings
May 8–June 23, 2023
This seven-week course teaches RDA cataloging of video and audio recordings. The course covers the changes from AACR to RDA guidelines and MARC record elements, including fixed field elements. Participants will copy catalog DVDs, music CDs, and streaming audiobooks and find matching records in OCLC.
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: Basic cataloging knowledge and experience are required. Completion of the RDA Book training course is recommended.
Course Access: This course is hosted on the Moodle learning platform. Registered participants will be emailed course access information before the course begins.
Cost: Free to Illinois librarians and library workers.
Register for RDA Video and Audio Recordings
Cataloging Basics
June 19–July 30, 2023
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. Registered participants will be emailed course access information before the course begins.
Cost: Free to Illinois librarians and library workers
Register for Cataloging Basics
Cataloging Basics
Sept. 11–Oct. 22, 2023
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. Registered participants will be emailed course access information before the course begins.
Cost: Free to Illinois librarians and library workers
Register for Cataloging Basics
Have a suggestion for a future multi-week cataloging course?
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.