UC Irvine Libraries

This paper will firmly establish cataloging as a form of outreach, and will track the evolution in cataloging standards and library cataloging over the past 3 decades as it has allowed libraries to reach broader audiences for their holdings. Using a variety of unique examples from archival collections, small-run artists books, open access resources, one-of-a-kind materials as well as more widely available material, this paper will examine how cataloging-as-outreach is able to increase the discoverability of materials to larger and traditionally underserved groups of people, including those who may not hold academic or other professional certifications.