n.a weblog that provides access to cataloging information about archival collectionsTheimer 2009Not sure what a catablog is? Here’s my definitinon [sic]: “A catablog is a site created with blogging software that provides short descriptions of collections via blog posts. These posts can be easily tagged, categorized and updated, and can contain image and media files.”Cox and Kovacs 2011, 183–184As a collection is entered into the catablog, our archivists categorize it under one or more “natural languages,” hierarchically organized categories roughly corresponding to areas within our collection policy, and these categories are automatically indexed and displayed as a menu on the sidebar.James and Wosh 2011, 56“Catablogs” use the blog format to replace the traditional online catalog (whether it be an OPAC or simply a list of finding aids). Given that archival materials are not always well served by typical library technology tools, the ability to customize the display and content blogging provided offers the archivist a more granular way to provide access—often down to the item level, where required—as will be discussed later in this chapter.Santamaria 2013, 178A “catablog,” as shown in Figure 12, is an archival catalog/website created with blogging software. It typically provides short descriptions of collections via blog posts. There are a number of benefits to catablogs. Because they are typically built using freely available and commonly used blogging software, they are usually easily implemented. Because collection descriptions are simply blog posts, they can be tagged and categorized, they can contain image and media files, and they can be easily shared through social networking applications.Gentry et al. 2021, 67The staff adapted a blog detailing reference requests with tags to create a “catablog” for individual items with description, metadata, and digitized images to create awareness of these collections online and to allow search engines to index them.
Notes
The catablog is a type of web resource used by archives to provide greater access to finding aids by allowing them to be found via any standard internet search. In addition, catablogs can include copies of records from collections and support interaction with the public. Catablogs appear to be used exclusively by archives and special collections to provide access to records rather than by libraries to provide access to books.
