How to Catalogue a Library

"How to Catalogue a Library" by Henry B. Wheatley is a guidebook on library cataloguing practices written in the late 19th century. The text serves as a foundational resource, providing principles and methodologies that aim to assist both amateurs and professionals involved in the cataloguing process. With a focus on small and ordinary libraries, the book highlights the importance of clarity, organization, and the role of the cataloguer in facilitating book retrieval for readers. The opening of the work sets the stage for a thorough exploration of what constitutes a catalogue. Wheatley discusses the common misconceptions surrounding the cataloguing process, emphasizing that creating an effective catalogue requires more than simply listing titles; it demands an understanding of indexing methodology and user access needs. He articulates the necessity of discerning between a mere list and a carefully constructed catalogue, advocating for a systematic approach that considers both the intricacies of bibliographical details and the user's perspective.