Penn State University Libraries - RDA FAQ

RDA: Resource Description and Access:
Frequently Asked Questions

What is RDA?

RDA: Resource Description and Access is the new cataloging code that has been designed to replace the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules.

The RDA Toolkit is an online resource that includes the text of RDA, as well as other tools and resources. Penn State has subscribed to the RDA Toolkit. It can be accessed directly at http://access.rdatoolkit.org or through links in Cataloger’s Desktop.

What is the current status of RDA?

RDA is currently being tested by the Library of Congress, National Agricultural Library, National Library of Medicine, and a number of testing partners. The test will run from October 1 through December 31, 2010. From January to March 2011, the results of the test will be evaluated and a decision will be made if and when to implement RDA.

Records created as part of the test will be in OCLC WorldCat. OCLC has made changes to Connexion and WorldCat in order to support RDA, and RDA records will viewable in WorldCat. See “OCLC Policy on RDA” for details.

How can RDA records be retrieved in WorldCat?

To retrieve RDA records in WorldCat, include “dx: rda” in your search along with other qualifiers, such as format and date, to narrow the search.

How are RDA records identified?

RDA records contain $e rda in field 040.

There are also a number of new fields that are likely to be found in RDA records; these include 336 (content type), 337 (media type) and 338 (carrier type).

What should be done with RDA records?

When doing copy cataloging, RDA records should be treated exactly like AACR2 records. Do not change headings on copy (as usual, we will rely on our authority vendor to reconcile inconsistencies)

Do not do enhance or create BIBCO records based on RDA records in WorldCat.

Do not do original RDA records until we have done training and made implementation decisions.

Documentation and examples

RDA information page on the Penn State Cataloging Department site:
http://www.libraries.psu.edu/psul/cataloging/catref/rda.html

OCLC policy on RDA: http://www.oclc.org/us/en/rda/policy.htm

LC documentation for the RDA test [note that this officially applies only to the test]:
http://www.loc.gov/catdir/cpso/RDAtest/rdatest.html

LC policy statements [these will replace the LCRIs; the policy statements are available on the LC documentation site above and in Cataloger’s Desktop; do not apply these until after we have done training]

Changes from AACR2 to RDA: a comparison of examples, by Adam Schiff:
http://faculty.washington.edu/aschiff/BCLAPresentationWithNotes-RevAug2010.pdf

Complete examples for RDA Toolkit 2010:
http://www.rda-jsc.org/working2.html#rda-examples

LC examples comparing RDA with AACR2:
http://www.loc.gov/catdir/cpso/RDAtest/rdaexamples.html

University of Chicago RDA examples:
http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/staffweb/depts/cat/rda/rdaexamples.pdf