General background FAQ
What is RDA?
RDA : Resource Description and Access is the new descriptive cataloguing standard that will replace AACR2.
What are the benefits of RDA?
RDA builds on the strengths of AACR2 but has some new features that make it more useful as a cataloguing code for the digital environment in which libraries now operate.
- RDA is better at catering for digital resources and for resources with multiple characteristics, and will provide more guidance on the creation of authority headings.
- RDA is compatible with a range of encoding schemas, such as MODS, Dublin Core, ONIX and MARC, which will allow library catalogue records to be integrated with those produced by other metadata communities.
- RDA facilitates the clustering of bibliographic records for different editions, translations or formats of a work, and the more meaningful presentation of data to users.
- RDA is a web-based product, which will enable cataloguers to view different levels of completeness of the code, move between related instructions using hyperlinks, and integrate their own institutional policies.
- RDA is a transitional stepping stone that requires only small changes to catalogue records but moves the metadata in catalogues much closer to full utilisation of FRBR models.
Who is responsible for the development of RDA?
Two international bodies are responsible for the development of RDA – the Joint Steering Committee for RDA (JSC) and the Committee of Principles (CoP).
The JSC is responsible for developing the new cataloguing rules and for consultation with stakeholder groups. Membership of the JSC is drawn from the American Library Association (ALA), the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP), the Australian Committee on Cataloguing (ACOC), the Canadian Committee on Cataloguing, the British Library, and the Library of Congress.
ACOC, which is a joint committee of the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) and the National Library of Australia (NLA), represents the interests of Australian libraries on the JSC.
The JSC reports to the CoP, which is responsible for over-arching policy as well as budget and management issues. The CoP comprises representatives from the Canadian Library Association, ALA, CILIP, the Library of Congress, Library and Archives Canada, the British Library, and the NLA.
When will RDA be implemented in Australia?
RDA was released at the end of June 2010 and underwent useability and feasibility testing as part of the US National Libraries RDA Test in late 2010. In June 2011, the Report and Recommendations of the U.S. RDA Test Coordinating Committee on the implementation of RDA - Resource Description & Access was released. The key recommendation coming out of the testing is that RDA be adopted with certain conditions and that implementation not occur before January 2013. For full details, see the US National Test website.
The national libraries of Britain, Canada and Australia, along with the Library of Congress, have re-confirmed their agreement of October 2007 to co-ordinate implementation, not sooner than early 2013. It is likely that the National Library of Australia will implement in the first quarter of 2013.
How can I access RDA ?
RDA is available as an online, web-based product called the RDA Toolkit. Although the preferred way for most users to access RDA is online via the RDA Toolkit, print copies of the RDA instructions are also be available for purchase.
For information on RDA Toolkit subscription options and pricing please visit the Co-Publishers website http://www.rdatoolkit.org/pricing. The site includes full details for consortia and group subscriptions and special extensions for training and classroom access. There is also notice of a double-user offer for those who subscribe to the RDA Toolkit before August 31, 2012.
The Co-Publishers are working with third parties, including the Library of Congress, OCLC, and others to make linking from third party software like Cataloger’s Desktop, OCLC Connexion and LIS vendor systems to the RDA Toolkit as seamless and user-friendly as possible.
For further details about RDA print products visit the Co-Publisher site. For libraries outside North America pricing and ordering information for print copies is available at Facet Publishing along with other newly published RDA related resources.
What does my library need to do to implement RDA?
Records created using RDA are intended to integrate with AACR2 records in existing databases, but some global updating of headings will be required, such as changes to the structure of Bible uniform titles. In addition, changes to MARC21 have been made to accommodate new RDA data elements. Details of these changes can be viewed on the MARC standards website at http://www.loc.gov/marc/RDAinMARC29.html
Libraries will need to consult with their library system vendor about their plans to accommodate such changes and the display options available for their local catalogue.
Each individual library will also need to decide when they will implement RDA and to devise their own implementation schedule. It is therefore important for library managers, system librarians and cataloguers to inform themselves about RDA.
Libraries will need to budget for the cost of RDA and plan the necessary training of their staff, in Australia this will not be before the 2011-2012 financial year. Timely training courses will be offered throughout Australia by accredited training agents. They will also need to consider possible impacts on productivity during the implementation and “settling-in” period.
What is the National Library of Australia’s role?
The NLA has been closely involved in the development of RDA, with Deirdre Kiorgaard representing ACOC and chairing the JSC and with Pam Gatenby representing the NLA on the CoP.
The NLA will work with ALIA, ACOC, library schools, training agencies, system vendors, and other national libraries to ensure that the transition to RDA is smooth.
The National Library of Australia will monitor the U.S. testing, but will not be a participant. The NLA will focus its efforts towards planning for implementation. NLA will engage in testing activities such as testing the exchange of records between local catalogues and Libraries Australia and OCLC. Documentation will be developed along with information on training, policy decisions, MARC changes, systems changes, and any data conversions. The results of these activities will be shared with Australian libraries and other national libraries, in order to reduce the workload on any single library. This information, along with links to relevant articles and presentations, will be made available on the ACOC website hosted by the NLA.
Libraries Australia will work with subscriber libraries to develop new record import/export profiles and to co-ordinate global changes to data.
How do I get training?
A national training strategy is being developed by the NLA, in cooperation with ALIA, ACOC, library schools and training agents based on a training needs survey conducted by ACOC and the National Library of New Zealand.
In conjunction with ALIA, ACOC will seek expressions of interest from those organisations and individuals interested in providing RDA training within Australia. The request for expressions of interest will be sent out well in advance of the planned implementation date for RDA.
Selected trainers will receive “Train the trainer” training from National Library of Australia staff, and go on to offer training courses Australia wide. RDA trainers will provide comprehensive face to face training courses tailored to the needs of cataloguers, along with shorter training courses tailored for particular audiences. They may also deliver online training.
The NLA will make all documentation created for the “Train the trainer” training and for its own staff freely available on the ACOC website. Online training modules on selected topics will also be available to assist with learning and training.
Details about training courses provided by training agents throughout Australia will be made available on the ACOC website closer to implementation.
How do I keep informed?
Information about Australian implementation will be available on the ACOC website and on the rdaaust email discussion list. The RDA page on the ACOC website is: http://www.nla.gov.au/lis/stndrds/grps/acoc/rda.html
For any further questions or feedback contact the RDA Implementation Team at the National Library of Australia at nlarda@nla.gov.au
Information about RDA development and additional FAQs are available on the JSC website. JSC's URL is: http://www.rda-jsc.org/


