katalógus

A katalógus is a systematic list or compilation of items that describes and classifies them, with the aim of organizing, locating, and referencing objects, works, or products. It can be a physical book, a part of a library or museum collection, a publisher’s or retailer’s list, or a digital database accessible online.

The term derives from Greek katálogos, meaning a list or index, through Latin catalogus. In Hungarian, katalógus denotes such compilations and is cognate with the English catalogue or catalog.

There are several common forms and types of katalógus. Library catalogs describe holdings in a collection and provide access points such as title, author, subject, and class number. Product catalogs are lists of items offered for sale, often with descriptions, specifications, and pricing. Art and museum catalogs document works in a collection or on display, including metadata about creators and provenance. Bibliographic catalogs organize published works, and digital or online catalogs enable search and discovery across items and records.

Function and use of a katalógus include facilitating organization, inventory, and reference. Catalogs provide metadata to support retrieval, classification, and linking to related resources. In libraries and museums, they often follow established cataloging and metadata standards to ensure consistent description and interoperability. In commerce and digital libraries, catalogs enable efficient discovery through search, filters, and access to full records or digital copies.