Starting in 1885, Cole worked to compile a printed catalogue of the Fitchburg, Massachusetts Public Library.

In 1888, Cole entered the first class of Melvil Dewey's library school at Columbia College.

[2] Cole's most celebrated work was a series of annotated catalogs of the private library of E. Dwight Church.

[6] He died at his home in San Marino, California on October 10, 1939, and was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.

[7] In 1999, Cole was named as one of 100 American librarians who made a lasting impact on library service and the nation.