Cataloguing Section

International Standard Bibliographic Description (ISBD)

The ISBD consolidated edition merges the texts of the seven specialized ISBDs (for books, maps, serials, sound recordings, computer files and other electronic resources, etc.) into a single text.

The ISBD is useful and applicable for descriptions of bibliographic resources in any type of catalogue.  In this edition the stipulations for cataloguing the various resources have been made more consistent with each other and brought up to date.  The designation of mandatory ISBD elements has been brought into conformity with the requirements for a basic level national bibliographic record as determined by the Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records (FRBR).

The loose-leaf format is excellent for accommodating regular, periodic updates, whilst providing an economic option for many cataloguing needs.

International standard bibliographic description (ISBD) / recommended by the ISBD Review Group ; approved by the Standing Committee of the IFLA Cataloguing Section. — Preliminary consolidated ed. — München : K.G. Saur, 2007. — 1 vol. (loose-leaf) ; 32 cm. — (IFLA series on bibliographic control ; vol. 31). — ISBN 978-3-598-24280-9.

PDF version PDF version (320 pages – 1.73 MB)

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The following guidelines are still a useful companion to the ISBD.

Guidelines for the application of the ISBDs to the description of component parts [Electronic resource] / approved by the Standing Committees of the IFLA Section on Cataloguing and the IFLA Section on Serial Publications. — Reproduction with corrections. — Washington, D.C. : Cataloging Directorate, Library of Congress, 2003. — 1 electronic text (viii, 22 p.) : PDF file. — Originally published: London : IFLA UBCIM Programme, 1988.

PDF version PDF version (626 kB)