Abstract
Exchangeable formats of bibliographical data in the practice of libraries have been used from the 60ies of the last century, and in spite of the decades having flown by no substantial change has taken place, although the librarians have called for it. The deficiencies and the obsolescence of the MARC type formats are obvious.
The pressure for change has been increasing from the turn of the century. The objective of the present article resides in summarizing the activities on this field, including an outline of possible further development.
The analysis of diverse projects and of the respective questionnaires allows us to estimate what direction of development this field is likely to take. The activities tend towards the linked data publication model, while retaining the cataloguing practice of the present day.