What does MARC stand for?

MARC stands for Machine Readable Cataloging. This term refers to a standard format for cataloging that allows bibliographic information to be stored in a way that can be easily read and processed by computers. The MARC format was developed to facilitate the sharing and exchange of bibliographic data among libraries and other information providers, making it a cornerstone of library cataloging practices.

The significance of MARC lies in its ability to encode important bibliographic details—such as author, title, publication date, and subject headings—into machine-readable data. This allows for greater efficiency and accuracy in managing library collections and enables libraries to share catalog information effectively across different systems.

Other options such as Machine Accessible Resource Cataloging or Machine Assessed Regional Cataloging do not reflect the established terminology or concepts recognized in the field of library science, and thus do not align with the widely accepted definition of MARC, further solidifying that Machine Readable Cataloging is the correct designation.