Resource Description and Access (RDA) - update

Resource Description and Access

This is an update from Sandy based on her notes from the presentation she attended at the Information Online Conference in January 2009. The presentation was by Deidre Kiorgaard from NLA.

Resource Description and Access (RDA) is a new standard to be adopted in the U.S.A., Australia, etc. that is a new generational cataloguing code for the digital world. It is to be used in web based and other web based discovery services. Even though AACR is a robust system – it has reached the end of its life and was created in the era of the card entry – RDA will replace it.

RDA in the web environment
- clearly defined element set for better granularity
- greater emphasis on relationships
- better interoperability
- common vocabulary
- better coverage
Purchasing RDA
- various subscription models
- cataloguer’s desktop software to be available
MARC and system changes
- there will be MARC changes
- changes to record creation and import/export
- training/aids

The National Library of Australia (NLA)is involved in the interim implementation strategy. NLA will work with training providers and at this stage is it expected that only cataloguers will require training.

RDA should be fully online as a cataloguing tool in late 2009, and cataloguers and database managers should familiarise themselves with FRBR to gain from understanding RDA.

Functional Requirement for Bibliographic Records (FRBR)
What is FRBR? Click here for more information. There is also the FRBRBlog
Benefits of FRBR
- Improved efficiency of data
- Improved navigation at the catalogue for the user
- Improved catalogue displays

Functional Requirements for Subject Authority Records (FRSAR)
What is FRSAR? Click here for more information.
FRSAR can…
- Identify and define things – entities
- Identify and define attributes
- Identify and define relationship

Functional Requirement for Authority Data (FRAD)
What is FRAD? Click here for more information.

Australian Committee on Cataloguing
Includes …….
- FAQ
- Training materials etc
- Links to articles
- Discussion lists

Australian Committee on Cataloguing is a representative to the Joint Steering Committee for the Development of RDA.