FRBR Library Reference Model and Community Responses

In February of this year, IFLA released for world-wide review a draft of FRBR-Library Reference Model (FRBR-LRM), a model that, according to the blog post about its release, was developed “in response to the need to unify the three separately developed conceptual models (FRBR, FRAD, FRSAD) and consolidate them into a single, consistent model covering all aspects of bibliographic data.” Comments on the proposed model were invited, with a deadline of May 1, 2016. To aid in evaluation of the model, a Transition Mapping document, describing the differences between the old FRBR, FRAD, and FRSAD models and the new, unified FRBR-LRM.

Many prominent library communities and organizations, including the Program for Cooperative Cataloging (PCC), ALA’s Committee on Cataloging: Description and Access (CC:DA), and the National Library of Medicine, issued responses to the draft model. Their responses have been collected and are available for viewing. It is interesting to read these responses and ponder what effect the new FRBR model will have on cataloging in the future.