Catalog Number
Reviewed field entry.
This page explains a term used by Anatomy Steward’s digital museum and teaching resources.
Definition
Section titled “Definition”Entry context: Anatomy Steward Wiki › Collection Documentation › Catalog Number
A catalog number is a structured identifier that helps a museum or digital catalog refer to a record consistently.
Why It Matters
Section titled “Why It Matters”Stable numbers make records findable, citable, and easier to relate to exhibits, images, rights notes, and revision history.
Museum Use
Section titled “Museum Use”Anatomy Steward uses public-facing catalog numbers to support digital teaching records, not to imply physical ownership unless stated.
Teaching Use
Section titled “Teaching Use”Students can use catalog numbers to practice reading object records as evidence, not just labels.
Cautions
Section titled “Cautions”A catalog number does not automatically mean a physical object is held by the museum.
Diagram to Add
Section titled “Diagram to Add”A future diagram for this entry should show:
- Catalog number anatomy diagram showing prefix, category code, sequence number, and public record link.
- Use Anatomy Steward examples.
Diagram notes: use calm educational line art, clear labels, alt text, image credit, and rights status.
Related Terms
Section titled “Related Terms”Related Museum Pages
Section titled “Related Museum Pages”Sources and Further Reading
Section titled “Sources and Further Reading”The following public sources support this entry. They are provided for definition review, teaching context, museum documentation language, or rights/digital preservation context.
- Collections Trust — Numbering — Public museum resource on object numbering, number formats, and common numbering issues.
- NPS Museum Handbook, Part II — Museum Records — Public museum records guidance covering accessioning, cataloging, inventory, and documentation procedures.
- NPS Museum Handbook, Part II, Chapter 3 — Cataloging — Public PDF guidance on cataloging museum collections.
Source Review Note
Section titled “Source Review Note”These sources are public references for educational and museum documentation use. They do not replace professional, legal, conservation, taxonomic, or collection-specific review.
Key Observations
Section titled “Key Observations”- Field name
- What the field records
- Why the field matters
- What uncertainty should be stated
Common Misunderstandings
Section titled “Common Misunderstandings”- A metadata field is not just administrative detail.
- Unknown information should not be invented.
- Public display and internal documentation are not always the same.
Field Note
Section titled “Field Note”Documentation entries support stable, citable, and transparent digital object records.
Mini Teaching Activity
Section titled “Mini Teaching Activity”Ask learners to read an object record and identify which fields build trust.
Contribution Ideas
Section titled “Contribution Ideas”This entry can be improved with:
- Metadata examples
- Clear field definitions
- Public documentation references
Diagram Placeholder
Section titled “Diagram Placeholder”A future diagram for this entry should include:
- Catalog number anatomy diagram
- Labels: institution prefix, category code, sequence number, public display number
- Use: explain stable identifiers
This placeholder is intentionally non-sensitive and does not require biological material images.
Suggested Citation
Section titled “Suggested Citation”Anatomy Steward Wiki. “Catalog Number.” Anatomy Steward Wiki. https://wiki.anatomysteward.com/documentation/catalog-number/
Improve This Entry
Section titled “Improve This Entry”Help improve this reviewed wiki entry.
See a clearer definition, better public source, correction, teaching use, or image lead?
📝 Suggest a Correction, Source, or Teaching Use
Suggestions may include:
- a public source
- a correction or safer wording
- a related museum page
- a teaching activity
- an image or diagram lead with clear rights information
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Reviewed Status
Section titled “Reviewed Status”Version 2 field note. This page is part of the reviewed Anatomy Steward Wiki and is not open for direct public editing. Suggestions should be submitted through the reviewed contribution process.