Resource Description & Access (RDA)

Several years ago the definition of $z of the 020 (International Standard Book Identifier) was expanded—it is now used for “structurally invalid” ISBNs (those that are too short, too long, wrong check digit, etc.) and also for “application invalid” ISBNs (ISBNs for a manifestation that would be described in a different bibliographic record). The LC-PCC Policy Statement for 2.15.1.7 provides the following instruction:   Record ISBNs in $z (Canceled/invalid) of MARC field 020 if they clearly represent a different manifestation from the resource being cataloged and would require a separate record (e.g., an ISBN for the large print version, e-book, or teacher’s manual on the record for a regular trade publication). If separate records would not be made (e.g., most cases where ISBNs are given for both the hardback and paperback simultaneously), or in cases of doubt, record the ISBNs in $a (International Standard Book Number) of MARC field 020 Please remember to u...

General Structure Remember that RDA has a clear structure: Table of Contents Introduction Specific instructions o    Entities and their attributes ·             Group 1 (WEMI) (Chapters 1-7) ·             Group 2 (PFC) (Chapters 8-16) o    Relationships (Chapters 17-22, 24-32) Appendices for o    Abbreviation o    Capitalization o    Relationship designators (more on this later) Glossary with links to the text of the instructions Index Not Organized Like AACR2 The organization of RDA is very different from AACR2. Instead of separate chapters for classes of materials (books, cartographic materials, printed music, etc.), RDA is principle-based and organized around the FRBR/FRAD tasks to help users “identify” and “relate” the resources they need from our collections. There are general instruction...

RDA: Resource Description and Access  is the new standard for resource description and access designed for the digital world. Built on the foundations established by AACR2, RDA provides a comprehensive set of guidelines and instructions on resource description and access covering all types of content and media. Benefits of RDA include: A structure based on the conceptual models of FRBR (functional requirements for bibliographic data) and FRAD (functional requirements for authority data) to help catalog users find the information they need more easily A flexible framework for content description of digital resources that also serves the needs of libraries organizing traditional resources A better fit with emerging database technologies, enabling institutions to introduce efficiencies in data capture and storage retrievals RDA Background [RDA Toolkit]