catalogingsääntöjä

Cataloging rules are a set of guidelines and standards used in libraries and other information organizations to describe and organize resources. These rules ensure consistency and uniformity in how items are cataloged, making them easier for users to find and retrieve. The primary purpose of cataloging rules is to create bibliographical records that accurately represent the content and characteristics of an item, such as a book, journal, or digital resource.

Historically, various sets of cataloging rules have evolved. Early rules were often developed within individual libraries. Over time, the need for standardization became apparent, leading to the creation of more comprehensive and widely adopted rule sets. These rules cover aspects like the choice of main entry, the construction of headings, the description of the item's physical and intellectual content, and the assignment of subject access points.

Key principles often embedded in cataloging rules include providing sufficient information for identification and selection, presenting information in a consistent manner, and facilitating access through subject headings and other access points. The adoption of international standards has been crucial in promoting interoperability between different library systems and enabling resource sharing.

Modern cataloging practices are heavily influenced by international standards like the Resource Description and Access (RDA) rule set. RDA, which replaced the older Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules (AACR2), is designed to be more flexible and accommodating of diverse resource types, especially in the digital environment. These rules continue to be adapted and updated to address the changing landscape of information creation and access.