The Anglo-American cataloguing rules and their future

The past, present, and future development of AACR2 is outlined with particular emphasis on the directions provided by the International Conference on the Principles and Future Development of AACR held in Toronto in October 1997. International cooperation as a significant element in the development and future of the code was highlighted. The Toronto conference, an invitational meeting attended by 65 cataloging experts, was undertaken by the Joint Steering Committee (JSC) as part of its ongoing mandate to respond to changing needs. Among the actions and recommendations resulting from the conference, the following were approved by JSC for immediate action: develop a mission statement for JSC; create a list of the principles of AACR2; pursue the recommendation that a logical analysis of the principles and structure on which AACR2 is based be undertaken; establish an AACR Web site; determine whether there are surveys on the use of AACR2 outside the Anglo-American community, and if no such survey exists, conduct such a survey; formulate the recommendations on serials endorsed during the conference and introduce them into the revision process; publicize and reaffirm JSC policies, procedures, activities, and the current process for submitting rule revision proposals; and solicit a proposal to revise rule 0.24. The international conference has helped JSC to develop an plan of action, which will test the applicability of AACR in current and future environments and balance the need for a sound and workable cataloging code with the cost of cataloging and change.