New Cataloger Camp

A Learning Cohort for Beginning and “Accidental” Library Catalogers

The Colorado State Library announces the launch of New Cataloger Camp, a learning cohort designed to address the needs of beginning and “accidental” public and school library catalogers in Colorado (though all are welcome). Cohort members can expect to: gain familiarity with foundational terms, concepts, and standards; practice implementing the standards within a local context; and build a toolkit of useful resources. The focus will be on practical application and problem-solving.

New Cataloger Camp is part of the Cataloging Fundamentals Program, which currently includes online video tutorials and the Chatalogers discussion group. The program is made possible through grant funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) administered by the Colorado State Library.

What to Expect

Here’s what’s included in the cohort, which runs from August through December 2025:

• Monthly meetings. This is the foundational component of the cohort, where we will discuss cataloging concepts and topics like descriptive standards, MARC, subject headings, and workflows. Participants are encouraged to apply the course content to their work and share their experiences with the group.
• Guest speakers. These optional enrichment meetings are an opportunity for participants to learn from expert practitioners in Colorado.
• Office hours. Participants will have the opportunity to book 1:1 meetings to discuss their unique cataloging issues.
• Shared toolkit. Throughout the course, participants will contribute to a shared collection of useful resources, tools, and training materials that they can draw from to create their own personalized cataloging toolkit.

There is no cost to participate, and all course content will be freely available online. There are no graded homework assignments and no educational credit offered.

Applications

If you are interested in participating in the Fall 2025 cohort, please fill out the application by end-of-day July 1, 2025. Applicants will be notified by July 3, 2025.

At this time we are planning to run the cohort again in early 2026.

Please email your questions to Amy Hitchner, hitchner_a@cde.state.co.us.