ARABMARC: A Long Way to Go

Authors

  • Zahiruddin Khurshid King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals Library

Abstract

Notwithstanding the availability of USMARC and UNIMARC as international exchange formats, the need for national formats continues to be felt, especially in countries or regions which use non–Roman scripts. This paper reviews the attempts made in the Arabian Gulf Region to prepare the framework for developing the ARABMARC format during the last 13 years. It also gives details of the availability of Arabic script support in various automated systems currently in operation, as well as formerly in use, in the Gulf Region, including STAIRS, DOBIS/LIBIS, MINISIS, VTLS, and Horizon. A critical review of the Arabic script support on RLIN is also provided.

Author Biography

Zahiruddin Khurshid, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals Library

Zahiruddin Khurshid is Senior Manager, Cataloging Operations Division, and Library Systems Analyst (Acting), King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals Library, Dharan, Saudi Arabia.

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Issue

Vol. 8 No. 2 (1998)

Section

Articles

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