The International Federation of Film Archives (FIAF) has published The FIAF Moving Image Cataloguing Manual, designed to help archivists working with moving images to navigate the technological advancements in cataloguing, preservation, and access practices. The manual offers best practices and tools for institutions that are preparing moving image catalogues or creating descriptive metadata.
Since its inception in 1938, FIAF has been dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the world’s film heritage, and is currently affiliated with 150 institutions in 72 countries. To support its audience, FIAF released The FIAF Cataloguing Rules for Film Archives in 1991. The latest publication provides an updated guide on the information technology changes over the last 25 years.
The manual aligns with a variety of new data structures and existing/emerging metadata standards, including FRBR (Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records), EN 15907, and RDA (Resource Description and Access), while remaining compatible with older methods and standards.
When discussing the importance of good cataloguing standards, FIAF states, “Well-organized descriptions of both filmographic and technical information about an institution’s collection serve as the basis for informed internal use such as preservation, collections development, and outreach or exhibition. They further constitute the key to accessing collections by external users such as scholars, researchers and the general public—both now and for future generations.”
You can learn more and download your free copy here.
