a file of cards of uniform size arranged in some definite order and listing the items in the collection of a library or group of libraries, each card typically identifying a single item.
Origin
1850-55, Americanism
Examples from the web for card catalog
The knowledge came ordered into standard categories which could be pursued through a card catalog and into the pages of the books.
As such, this web-based application functions in much the same way as a library's card catalog.
They are also useful as a supplement to the card catalog.
The book collection can be accessed by the card catalog.
Dissertations that have also been published as books are listed in the card catalog and/or the online catalog.