cataloghi

Cataloghi is the Italian plural form of catalogo, referring to lists or compilations designed to organize items for reference, display, or sale. The term appears broadly in Italian-language contexts to denote various kinds of catalog collections, from bibliographic records to product listings.

Library and bibliographic catalogs identify and describe published works and library holdings, linking items to authors, subjects, and classifications. They rely on cataloging standards and frameworks such as MARC for records, Dublin Core for metadata, and the FRBR and RDA models to describe the relationships among works, expressions, and items. Online public access catalogs (OPACs) provide search and retrieval across these records. Museum and art catalogs describe objects in collections, including provenance, materials, attribution, and exhibition history, often supporting research and exhibitions. Product catalogs list items for sale with descriptions, specifications, prices, and identifiers like SKUs or UPCs, and are commonly delivered as printed print or online.

Digital catalogs index electronic resources and assets, such as images, audio, or datasets, using metadata schemas like Dublin Core, PREMIS, or IIIF-compatible metadata when applicable. Across these domains, cataloging involves metadata creation, authority control, and the use of structured data to improve discoverability, interoperability, and long-term maintenance. The practice has evolved from handwritten inventories and printed lists to sophisticated, database-driven catalogs integrated with search interfaces and linkable identifiers.

See also: catalog, cataloging, metadata standards, thesauri.