Supporting Global Library Standards
MulDiCat (Multilingual Dictionary of Cataloguing Terms and Concepts) is an authoritative, multilingual dictionary of terms and concepts used in library cataloging and classification. It provides definitions for core cataloguing and metadata terminology, reflecting international agreements, and is intended to support authoritative translations of IFLA cataloguing standards and related documents.
MulDiCat includes semantic relationships between terms (such as broader/narrower terms and synonyms) and is published as a linked open data vocabulary, making it accessible for integration into library systems and metadata applications.
Brief History
The MulDiCat project began in 1998, initiated by Monika Muennich for IFLA's Cataloguing Section. Originally, it was stored in a proprietary database developed by Bernard Eversberg in 2003.
Over time, MulDiCat evolved, first appearing as a Word table and later as a SKOS file on the IFLA Namespace. The dictionary was shaped by international cataloguing code meetings, which reviewed terminology from FRBR, FRAD, and ISBD while developing the International Cataloguing Principles (ICP).
Updates and translations have been ongoing, with recent efforts focusing on refining English terms, developing semantic relationships, and ensuring harmonization with other IFLA metadata standards. As of 2023, MulDiCat is maintained and updated by a working group that coordinates feedback from IFLA metadata sections and other review groups.
Role in Library Cataloging Today
Standards Harmonization
MulDiCat serves as a cornerstone for harmonization among IFLA metadata standards, providing standardized definitions and semantic clarity for cataloguing concepts.
Multilingual Support
Used to ensure consistent, authoritative translations of cataloguing standards, supporting multilingual access and interoperability in the global library community.
Educational Resource
The dictionary is a semantic tool for cataloguers, aiding in the understanding and application of cataloguing principles, and is integrated into documentation, training, and cataloguing systems.
Continuous Evolution
MulDiCat is actively maintained to keep pace with evolving metadata standards, such as updates to ISBD and the IFLA Library Reference Model (LRM), ensuring its ongoing relevance in modern cataloguing practice.
Essential for Global Cataloguing
In summary, MulDiCat is a vital resource for the international cataloguing community, supporting consistent terminology, interoperability, and the multilingual application of library standards worldwide.