Understanding ISBD – International Standard Bibliographic Description

AACR – Anglo-American Cataloguing Rule

AACR, or Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, is a foundational cataloguing standard used by libraries around the world, especially in English-speaking countries. It provides detailed rules for the descriptive cataloguing of library materials and ensures uniformity across catalog entries.

📚 History and Versions

Version	Year	Notes
AACR	1967	First edition, US-UK collaboration
AACR2	1978	Widely adopted, structured around material type
AACR2R	2002	Revised version to address electronic resources
Replaced by	RDA	Resource Description and Access (2010 onwards)

🔍 Key Features of AACR2

• Guidelines for cataloguing books, serials, AV materials, maps, and digital content
• Uses ISBD punctuation for bibliographic consistency
• Focuses on card catalog structure but adaptable to MARC21 and OPAC systems
• Separates description and entry elements

🔁 AACR2 vs RDA – Key Differences

Aspect	AACR2	RDA
Development Basis	ISBD and the card catalog model	Based on FRBR & FRAD models
Resource Types	Format-based	Content-based, flexible for digital
Data Entry	Cataloger’s judgment-based	Structured metadata for interoperability
Used For	Print & early digital	Digital, linked data, web applications

✅ Why AACR Still Matters

• Foundation of modern cataloguing education
• Still in use where RDA is not adopted
• Core part of UGC NET, KVS, DSSSB, LIS syllabi

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