Understanding the distinction between ISBD (International Standard Bibliographic Description), AACR (Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules), and MARC21 (Machine-Readable Cataloging) is essential for every Library and Information Science (LIS) professional and student. These three standards work together but serve different roles in cataloguing.
📊 Comparative Table
| Aspect | ISBD | AACR | MARC21 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Form | International Standard Bibliographic Description | Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules | Machine-Readable Cataloging |
| Purpose | Defines how to format and punctuate bibliographic entries | Specifies what bibliographic elements to record and how | Formats bibliographic data for computer systems and exchange |
| Developer | IFLA | ALA, CLA, and British Library | Library of Congress, USA |
| Focus | Presentation and display rules | Descriptive content rules | Encoding and transmission of records |
| Standard Punctuation | Yes (e.g., / : ; .) | No (but uses ISBD format) | No (uses field codes) |
| Structure | 8 Areas (Title, Edition, Publication, etc.) | Rules by format type (books, serials, etc.) | Fields and subfields with tags (e.g., 245, 100) |
| Application | Formatting catalog display (OPAC) | Cataloging rules followed by librarians | Machine-based storage and exchange |
| Compatibility | Used within AACR and MARC21 records | Used with ISBD and MARC21 | Works with AACR and RDA |
✅ Conclusion
ISBD formats the data, AACR describes the data, and MARC21 encodes the data. Together, they ensure a complete and interoperable cataloguing system for libraries worldwide.
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