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Machine-Readable Cataloging

library science
Also known as: MARC

Quick Summary

Machine-Readable Cataloging, or MARC, is a set of standards used in library science for the representation and exchange of bibliographic information. It allows library catalogs to be stored and accessed by computers.12

Before MARC, libraries used card catalogs, which were cumbersome and difficult to update. The development of MARC, particularly the MARC II format, enabled libraries to create computerized catalogs. These systems, often referred to as Online Public Access Catalogs (OPACs), allow users to search for materials in various ways, such as by title, author, or subject. MARC has revolutionized library operations by making collections more accessible and searchable.2

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2 Britannica Sources
  1. MARC
  2. library - Vehicles for catalogs

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