RAK or AACR2? The Current Discussion in Germany on Cataloging Codes

Discussion around the issue of cataloging codes has become heated in Germany since Germany’s national committee on cataloging standardization announced in December 2001 that its goal would now be to pursue a migration to AACR2 and MARC. Like AACR2, Germany’s current cataloging code, RAK, is based on the ISBD, but the two codes differ from each other in a number of significant ways. This paper compares German and Anglo-American cataloging practice, with particular regard to determining main entry, the treatment of corporate bodies and conferences, the treatment of personal name headings, and the treatment of multipart items. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-HAWORTH. E-mail address: Website: © 2002 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.]