Introducing RDA: A Guide to the Basics

The release of Resource Description and Access is not the release of a revised standard; it represents a total shift in the understanding of the whole cataloguing process. This shift from the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules (AACR) to RDA will require a fundamental re-orientation in the way library staff, especially cataloguing staff, approach the function of describing resources and creating access to them. This book will assist professionals with this transition. The book guides the reader through the key topics and questions providing a concise explanation of RDA, its implementation and its expected benefits for users and cataloguers. Key sections include: what is RDA? placing RDA in context why are we changing to RDA? making the transition to RDA after implementation. Readership: This book is an essential introductory guide not only for cataloguers but for all library staff, information professionals, support staff and LIS students

Table of Contents:
1. What is RDA? 2. RDA and the International Context 3. FRBR and FRAD in RDA 4. Continuity with AACR2 5. Where Do We See Changes? 6. Implementing RDA 7. Advantages, Present and Future Selected Resources and Readings

About the Author :
Chris Oliver has worked at the McGill University Library since 1989, as a cataloguing librarian and cataloguing manager. Her current position is Coordinator of Cataloguing and Authorities. She received her MA and MLIS degrees from McGill University. Chris is the Chair of the Canadian Committee on Cataloguing and has been a member of the Committee since 1997. This has given her the opportunity to be involved with the evolution of RDA from its beginning. She served as a member of the Joint Steering Committee's Format Variation Working Group and as Chair of the RDA Outreach Group. She has given presentations on RDA in Canada, the United States, and internationally.

Review :
"This is the best explanation I have yet seen on RDA as a whole. I would strongly recommend buying this book for your library, so that everyone can understand the new changes and standards that will influence how libraries and others will deal with the description and organization of information in the future." "The book provides a basic understanding of how our work will transition once we adopt RDA. There is a good general introduction to RDA... There is an especially good introduction to the use of the RDA Toolkit, including descriptions of Toolkit navigation and explanations of how the Toolkit may be integrated into our work…Introducing RDA could provide an introduction for the uninitiated technical services librarian, for library administrators and for interested public services or systems folks. It’s a good first step toward the understanding needed for application or use." "Introducing RDA is a valuable resource for all cataloguers and most definitely one no library planning to changeover from AACR2 to RDA should be without. It also is a valuable source for faculties faced with the teaching of the new cataloguing standard." "...covers the essentials of resource description and...is likely to serve well teachers and students of what may still be called cataloguing (or perhaps 'metadata production')." Chris Oliver has worked at the McGill University Library since 1989, as a cataloguing librarian and cataloguing manager. Her current position is Coordinator of Cataloguing and Authorities. She received her MA and MLIS degrees from McGill University. Chris is the Chair of the Canadian Committee on Cataloguing and has been a member of the Committee since 1997. This has given her the opportunity to be involved with the evolution of RDA from its beginning. She served as a member of the Joint Steering Committee's Format Variation Working Group and as Chair of the RDA Outreach Group. She has given presentations on RDA in Canada, the United States, and internationally..."Highly recommended for novice and experienced catalogers as well as library school faculty and students seeking basic information on RDA and its implementation." "Cataloging and technical services librarians are keen to learn about Resource Description and Access (RDA) and this handy guide is an excellent introduction to it."