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Basic Technical IVT Commonly tested

Bibliographic Record

noun

Pronunciation: /ˌbɪbliəˈɡræfɪk ˈrekərd/

A standardized digital or physical description of a library material containing metadata such as title, author, publication information, and subject headings. Bibliographic records enable patrons and librarians to locate and identify materials in library systems.

Plain English

A detailed description of a book or material that includes its title, author, publisher, and subject information in a library database.

Etymology & History

Origin languageGreek and Latin
Rootbiblio- (book) + graphia (writing) + record (account or documentation)
First recorded use1960s
Usage frequencyVery common

Usage

"The librarian corrected the bibliographic record to reflect the new publication edition and updated subject classifications."

Style guide notes: Capitalize 'Bibliographic Record' in formal contexts; lowercase in general usage unless beginning a sentence.

Also known as

catalog record MARC record metadata record

Contrasted with

uncatalogued material ephemera

Related Terms

Frequently Asked Questions

What information is included in a bibliographic record?

Title, author, publisher, publication date, physical description, ISBN, subject headings, and notes are standard elements.

Who creates bibliographic records?

Library catalog departments, vendor records, and collaborative cataloging systems create and maintain bibliographic records.

Why Test Candidates on This?

Essential for cataloging, database management, information retrieval, and library technology competency assessments.

Required skill level: Mid

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