Approach to video

Rationale for choosing FIAF

The FIAF Moving Image Cataloguing Manual implements the Cinematographic Works Standard (EN 15744 and EN 15907) and draws on FRBR (Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records) and RDA (Resource Description and Access). Having been updated in 2016, it is designed to align with existing and emerging metadata standards, and to be compatible with a variety of data structures. It is used by a number of institutions including the BFI; Natasha Fairbairn from the BFI is also one of the standard’s co-authors and is one of the people with whom we have been in touch. Although it contains a greater level of detail then we might want to use, it is adaptable according to what cataloguing model we might want to use, and the 13 core fields (below) map well to the fields we currently use in CALM and Sierra. The manual is not system-specific and is intended to be applicable to all forms of moving image materials, including those held within archives while using systems developed primarily for libraries – making it suitable for range of materials we hold, the systems we have, and the fact that our systems may evolve in future.

While there is overlap between FIAF and other standards, most notably the Screen Heritage UK (SHUK) cataloguing guidelines, which we have also looked at, the wide applicability and adaptability of the FIAF manual makes it, in our view, the most suitable for our purposes.