Bibliographic Control Concepts

Study Notes

Bibliographic Control (BC) refers to the activities involved in creating, organizing, managing, and maintaining files of bibliographic records representing items held in a library, archival collection, or sources listed in an index or database.
The purpose of BC is to list information sources in a systematic manner, enabling users to become aware of what information is available and where it can be located.
The functions of BC include recording and expanding knowledge, providing access to materials, encouraging research and development, and avoiding duplication in R&D.
BC is essential due to the information explosion, overload, and problems associated with language barriers, geographical differences, and lack of technical skilled staff.

There are three levels of bibliographic control: Universal, National, and Organizational.
Universal Bibliographic Control (UBC) aims to create a worldwide system for controlling and exchanging bibliographic information.
National Bibliographic Control (NBC) involves collecting and cataloging materials at the national level, with the objective of contributing to the nation's library and information network.

UBC is a cooperation that combines efforts in bibliographic information at the national level of countries to create an international network system.
The aim of UBC is to promote a worldwide system for the control and exchange of bibliographic information.
UNESCO adopts UBC as a major policy objective, focusing on the promotion of a worldwide system for controlling and exchanging bibliographic information.
The purposes of UBC include making all publications in all countries available in a form acceptable internationally, and making basic bibliographic data on all publications available in a form acceptable to users worldwide.

NBC is the implementation of UBC at the national level, involving the collection and cataloging of materials with national value.
The objectives of NBC include developing and strengthening national library, documentation, and archive infrastructure, contributing to the nation's library and information network, and building up national library and archival collections.
National Bibliographic Agency (NBA) is responsible for carrying out NBC tasks, including developing and maintaining national bibliography, national union catalog, and national serial center.

In Malaysia, the National Library of Malaysia (Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia) is appointed as the NBA, responsible for maintaining the national bibliographic network, national database, and providing national bibliographic and documentation services.
The main functions of NBA include acting as a center for national depository and national publication, national cataloging center, and national serial center.
NBA's responsibilities include developing and maintaining national bibliography, national union catalog, and national serial center, as well as assigning ISBN, ISSN, and CIP.