Skip Navigation Bar

RDA Information

 

RDA implementation plans

Having seen credible progress on the tasks and action items identified in the 2011 US RDA Test Coordinating Committee Final Report, NLM is planning to implement RDA throughout the Cataloging Section on March 31, 2013. The three catalogers who participated in the RDA test in 2010 will undergo refresher training and begin cataloging using RDA in late 2012, which will allow them to be ready to help train and transition the rest of the staff by March 2013. In the History of Medicine Division, rare book catalogers will continue to use DCRM for rare materials, but will begin use of RDA for material traditionally cataloged using AACR2 in March 2013.

RDA copy has continued to be created by several libraries that participated in the RDA test, but libraries are likely to see significantly more RDA copy as the Library of Congress begins training its staff in small groups. As each group completes its training, members of the group will do all their subsequent cataloging using RDA. LC intends to have its entire staff trained by March 31, 2013. Many of the other national libraries, such as the British Library, Library and Archives Canada, National Library of New Zealand, Deutsche Nationalbibliothek, also plan to implement RDA in early 2013.

While all original cataloging done by NLM after March 31, 2013 will be done using RDA, NLM will continue to accept AACR2 copy as is, so AACR2 records will continue to be distributed by NLM after April 1, 2013.

[Back to NLM Cataloging Section Homepage]

 

Identifying RDA records

While there are many differences between RDA and AACR2 records, here are some of the most visible differences between the cataloging standards.

  • RDA records will have always an 040 $e rda and Leader byte 18 is coded “i” rather than “a.”
  • The MARC tag 245 $h -- General Material Designation (GMD) is replaced by three new MARC tags:
    • 336 - Content
    • 337 - Media Type
    • 338 - Carrier Type
  • Abbreviations are rarely used. The cataloger will transcribe exactly what appears on the item in the title, edition, publication, extent and series statement areas of the record.
  • The “rule of three” is gone so you may see a statement of responsibility that lists all authors/editors, etc. on the title page, regardless of the number. If the cataloger chooses the option of transcribing only the first statement of responsibility, then a descriptive phrase like “[and five others]” will be supplied rather than a mark of omission (3 dots) and the Latin abbreviation “et al.”
  • Relator terms ($e) or codes ($4) will be used more extensively with access points.

Note that catalogers will be permitted to update AACR2 records with RDA elements without changing the Leader and 040 coding of the AACR2 record, so over time it will be possible to see records with a mix of styles.

[Back to NLM Cataloging Section Homepage]

 

Preparing for implementation in your library

System and OPAC issues

  • MARC Issues
    • Ensure your library or ILS vendor has implemented all the MARC updates for the new RDA elements
  • Indexes
    • Check if authorized access points containing relationship designators file properly with the headings lacking them
  • Display of content/media/carrier types
    • How will the new content/media/carrier types (33X fields) display?
    • Will they be displayed on brief as well as full record displays?
    • What alternative display options are available, such as icons or alternative text?
    • What is the impact on users if your catalog has a mix of records--some with GMDs and some with the 33X fields?

Cataloging Issues

  • Authorized access points
    • When existing authorized access points are converted nationally to the RDA form, will you convert your records and how?
      • On authority records
      • On bibliographic records
  • What policies will you library have on editing copy records?

[Back to NLM Cataloging Section Homepage]

 

Additional information and training resources

The Library of Congress Resource Description and Access (RDA) page http://www.loc.gov/aba/rda/ is a comprehensive portal to the most up-to-date information on RDA documentation, training and implementation plans.

A variety of free RDA and FRBR training is available via the Catalogers Learning Workshop. http://www.loc.gov/catworkshop/RDA%20training%20materials/index.html