A brief history of EURIG

The European RDA Interest Group (EURIG) was formed in response to the growing need for a regional framework to discuss and implement the Resource Description and Access (RDA) cataloging standard within the European library community. Established in 2011, EURIG aims to provide a collective voice for European libraries in the global RDA community, ensuring that the unique needs and perspectives of European institutions are taken into account.

Early Formation (2011-2013)

RDA, a standard designed to replace AACR2 (Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules), was first published in 2010. As RDA was largely developed by Anglo-American institutions, it became clear that a broader framework was needed to facilitate its implementation in non-English-speaking countries and align it with European traditions of cataloging. EURIG was established in 2011 as an independent association to address these challenges.

The founding members included national libraries, university libraries, and library networks from across Europe, such as the British Library, Deutsche Nationalbibliothek (DNB), Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF), and others. The goal was to provide a platform for collaboration and to ensure the development of RDA took European cataloging traditions and multilingual needs into consideration.

Major Milestones

• 2012: EURIG held its first general meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark. This meeting set the foundation for future collaborations and established a structure for the organization.
• 2013-2015: During this period, EURIG expanded its membership and influence within the global RDA community. National libraries across Europe began adopting RDA, supported by EURIG’s efforts to provide guidance and advocacy for European needs.
• RDA Toolkit Translations: One of EURIG’s significant contributions has been promoting the translation of the RDA Toolkit into various European languages, making the standard more accessible to non-English-speaking catalogers.

Recent Developments

In recent years, EURIG has continued to play a vital role in the evolution of RDA, particularly in light of the shift towards linked data and the development of a new RDA Toolkit (launched in 2020). EURIG has been actively involved in discussions around how RDA can be adapted to better suit the linked data environment, and how European libraries can best transition to the new RDA framework.

Future Outlook

As libraries continue to evolve in the digital age, EURIG's role will remain crucial in ensuring that the RDA standard reflects the diverse needs of European institutions. The group's focus on collaboration, multilingual support, and adaptation of RDA to European contexts will be key as libraries increasingly adopt linked data technologies and new cataloging practices.

Conclusion

EURIG has played a pivotal role in shaping the implementation of RDA across Europe, ensuring that European libraries have a strong voice in the global RDA community. By advocating for European cataloging practices, providing resources and training, and promoting collaboration, EURIG continues to facilitate the successful adoption of RDA across the continent.