Standards Watch

Ah, Holdings Statements!

In a former life, I spent a lot of time with holdings standards, so the one below took me back a bit to those thorny issues of display. Cindy Hepfer, our ALA Voting Representative to NISO, has forwarded yet another systematic review for us to consider: ISO 10324:1997, Information and documentation — Holdings statements — Summary level (1st edition). This is not the NISO standard, but is being balloted by ISO, which means that ALA is not voting on the standard itself but rather is providing feedback to NISO as to whether to approve or disapprove the standard. Vote options are Confirm (as is), Revise/Amend, Withdraw (the standard), or Abstain (from the vote). Comments are required for all votes other than Confirm. The scope note for the standard states: “This International Standard specifies display requirements for holdings Statements at the summary level for serial and non-serial items, to promote consistency…