Marie-France Plassard, a respected officer and director of the IFLA Core Programme for Universal Bibliographic Control and International MARC (UBCIM), passed away on 4 January 2025. She played a pivotal role in the development and promotion of international library standards. In 1991, she was responsible for establishing the Permanent UNIMARC Committee (PUC) under the UBCIM Programme, which was transferred from the British Library to the German National Library (DNB). She served as the PUC Secretary until her retirement in 2003.

Source: Plassard, M.-F. (1994). The IFLA Core Programme for Universal Bibliographic Control and International MARC (UBCIM): Recent Developments and Current State. Alexandria, 6(2), 145-153. https://doi.org/10.1177/095574909400600206
Source: Plassard, M.-F. (1994). The IFLA Core Programme for Universal Bibliographic Control and International MARC (UBCIM): Recent Developments and Current State. Alexandria, 6(2), 145-153. https://doi.org/10.1177/095574909400600206

Her contributions extended far beyond UNIMARC. Her work included advancing IFLA standards such as ISBD, GARE, FRBR, and FRANAR/FRAD, as well as contributing to the development of the International Cataloguing Principles and national bibliographies. During her term at IFLA, she was also the editor of the IFLA’s UBCIM Publications, New Series, and the International Cataloguing and Bibliographic Control (ICBC, 1972–2010). After her retirement, she became the international editor of Cataloging and Classification Quarterly. She was also editor or co-editor of several UBC-relevant publications. Through workshops and conferences, she fostered collaboration among international colleagues, promoting shared values and advancing the field. Her dedication, critical thinking, and positivity left a lasting impact on the global library community.

She will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who had the privilege of working with her.