Introducing RDA: A Guide to the Basics

by Chris Oliver

This indispensable Special Report helps catalogers and other metadata users by:

* Concisely explaining RDA and its expected benefits for users and catalogers, presented through topics and questions

* Placing RDA in context by examining its connection with its predecessor, AACR2, as well as looking at RDA's relationship to internationally accepted principles, standards, and models

* Detailing how RDA positions us to take advantage of newly emerging database structures, how RDA data enable improved resource discovery, and how we can get metadata out of library silos and make it more accessible

Genres: Nonfiction, Library Science, Professional Development, Librarianship

117 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Bodies in the Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick reread before deaccessioning from my home library. Just as useful and well-written as I remember. Sad to see it go, and hope the next owner will find it as helpful as I have.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book could be thought of as an executive summary of RDA and FRBR for librarians who have no idea what those acronyms mean. If you've already been introduced to these concepts, you might find little to hold your interest here. This is not an RDA reference book, so one should not expect any detailed information. This is a foundation on which to build your future studies of RDA.

For the course SLIS 5210 - Organization and Control of Information Resources I

[Samantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading these books for work. Two books down, two to go. So far, everything has been (over) explanation and very few examples. I suppose really what I need is access to the RDA Toolkit to see the differences between AACR2 and RDA, rather than these books.

I would have rated this particular book higher if it had included visual examples.

[Tyska · Rating 3 out of 5]

Includes everything you need. The what, why, how and when.
In-depth, yet easy to follow.
However, repeats itself way too much.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chris Oliver has nicely done what the title suggests: she has presented in this book a perfectly stellar introduction to the world of RDA, the new cataloging standard. Ms. Oliver is the Coordinator of Cataloging at McGill University and was hired as Copy Editor in order to ameliorate the prose in the first five chapters of Resource Description & Access (RDA).

The construct of the book is a simple one starting with a definition of RDA, moving on to a chronological presentation of the development of FRBR & RDA within the international community, its foundation upon the principles of the entity-relationship model known as FRBR, its common bonds with and deviations from AACR2, and finally the advantages of utilizing RDA.

The strength of this book lies in its clarity and succinctness, particularly in its section on FRBR, although it does not surpass the comprehensibility of Robert Maxwell’s FRBR: A Guide for the Perplexed. Its greatest achievement, though, is that the final chapter presents some of the more persuasive rationales for switching to RDA from AACR2 – it can be used by those in charge of technical services and cataloging departments to sway directors leery of adapting changes which require possible financially-burdensome training of staff. The only major flaws in the book are some redundancies in the prose. In addition, I found the sections on the RDA Toolkit as a bit unclear before I actually had access to the toolkit myself. Otherwise, I heartily recommend this book to those about to learn RDA in depth themselves or to those who will be training staff.

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

We're starting the process of slowly (very slowly) transitioning to RDA at my library. I took a break from dissecting the rule book itself to read though Oliver's book--it's a quick read. It is more of an introduction to the philosophy of and justification for RDA than an introduction to implementation. It's perhaps much more suited to a library student looking to understand FRBR and FRAD for that reason. It did give me a better sense for some of the little things though, such as the reason for the new 336-338 fields. I must say, however, that Oliver's not-so-subtle hints that MARC must die to truly realize the possibilities of RDA make me sad. I know MARC is an encoding format from a different time and for a different information environment, but I find its quirky antiquatedness somehow comforting.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a solid clear explanation of what RDA is, why it matters, and how it differs from previous content standards. My main concern about it is that it was written before the implementation of RDA and some of the information is necessarily uncertain about what will be decided. As the book is primarily a broad look at RDA this is a minor issue. Oliver does a very good job of making complex concepts understandable.

[Peyton Stafford]

Important book on Resource Description and Access, the new cataloging standard, which will replace AACR2. Should be fascinating to anyone concerned with epistemology and data architecture. Due summer of 2010.

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

Constant repetition of theoretical statements, then a mere mention that there are "core" elements that must be included in an RDA record, but no mention of what those elements should be. Reads like a justification, with not nearly enough practical information for the space used.

[Tayler K · Rating 2 out of 5]

LIS 655

This book: 72 pages (of 117)
Chapters 1-5

Other book: 257 pages (of 580)
Chapters 1-3, 7-8, 12-14, 16

Required readings: 86 pages
Class content: 498 pages

Course Total: 913 pages

[Liz Laurin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, albeit slightly outdated at this point, introduction to RDA. I was expecting more practical lessons, but maybe shouldnt have given the title. Fine for what it is, just not what I was looking for.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good general introduction to RDA (Resource Description and Access), that is the successor to AACR2.

[Rachel Sides · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm certainly not an authority on AACR or AACR2 nor MARC or MARC21, but I'm not really seeing the real usefulness of RDA. I see it in theory, but in practice not so much.