Abstract: A method and system for sharing a catalog in a multiprocessor system is disclosed. The multiprocessor system includes a plurality of host systems. The method and system comprises storing a copy of an entire volume data record of the catalog in a processor. Thereafter, the method and system comprises reading sharing information of the catalog from the processor to the appropriate host system when the appropriate host system needs access to the catalog. For example, in a S/390 parallel processor system an enhanced catalog sharing system (ECS) is utilized in conjunction with the catalogs. In this type of system, a copy of the entire data VSAM volume record (VVR) for an ECS-active catalog is stored in a coupling facility processor. This processor is accessed using components of the S/390 product. When an ECS-active host system needs access to an ECS-active catalog, the sharing information is read in from the coupling facility processor instead of a DASD volume.