A model to link them all: IFLA LRM as a driver for harmonization of cataloguing standards related to serials and other continuing resources

The publication and the official endorsement of the IFLA Library Reference Model, in August 2017, represents a significant achievement for the library community as a whole. This overarching model covers all types of bibliographic resources, and represents an important opportunity for harmonization among the different cataloguing standards. This paper intends to demonstrate the harmonization potential for a particular kind of publication: continuing resources. These resources present indeed significant characteristics in terms of modelling and bibliographic description, which are specifically addressed by the IFLA LRM. The implications of IFLA LRM statements about serials and other continuing resources needed therefore to be thoroughly assessed. More precisely, the paper will present the activity and outcomes, so far, of the “Serials Task Force”, an ad-hoc expert group depending on the Aggregates Working Group of the RDA Steering Committee. This task force is charged with redefining the modelling and providing broad recommendations for revising the instructions in RDA that relate to continuing resources, to align them with the IFLA LRM. It also seeks to maintain consistency with other cataloguing standards related to continuing resources, particularly the ISSN Manual.