BIBFRAMeing for non-BIBFRAMers: An introduction to current and future cataloging practices

Abstract

This article provides a basic overview of the main types of standards used in cataloging, and outlines some of the upcoming changes to those standards that may dramatically affect cataloging practices and policies. Affected standards include Resource Description and Access, which will be updated to conform to a new data model, and the ubiquitous machine-readable cataloging format (MARC 21), which is intended to be replaced by a newly developed linked data ontology, the Bibliographic Framework Initiative. This article will also include a brief overview of cataloging tools and practices that may be adopted as a result of the changes.