Traces the need for, and the development of, the International Standard Bibliographic Description (ISBD) Program and reviews the status of the different ISBDs. Early criticisms of ISBD, its final acceptance, and benefits it has brought are discussed. An 11-item reference list is attached. (Author/JL)

Evaluates a number of international bibliographic standards, like the Paris Principles, the International Standard Bibliographic Descriptions, and the ISO standard for abbreviations in light of the attempt to achieve universal bibliographic control. Authority files, universal uniform headings, and international standard control forms are…

Reviews the steps taken toward UBC (universal bibliographic control) in the past 20 years and critiques some of the shortfalls in the UNESCO/IFLA (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization/International Federation of Library Associations) program. Advances such as electronic publishing are put in context to suggest an…

National bibliographic developments worldwide are planned with awareness of international context and of advantages of following internationally used standards. The information gap between librarians in rich and poor countries through unavailability of high technology in poor countries where international bibliographic tools are in use appears to…