Getting Around in theRDA Toolkit

Marjorie E. Bloss, LecturerDominican University

The RDA Toolkit has been developed by the three co-publishers responsible for RDA◦ The American Library Association◦ The Canadian Library Association◦ The Chartered Institute of Library and Information

Professionals (CILIP) These are the same groups that brought

you AACR2

Some Background Information

RDA Rules and Software RDA requires learning not only the

instructions themselves but also the software supporting those rules

Need to become familiar with what is included in the RDA Toolkit and its features

Will only hit the highlights Let’s look at what awaits us…

The Log-in Screen

Click on “Help” at the bottom Provides general information about the

software to include:◦ Search Tips ◦ QuickStart Guide◦ Navigating the RDA Toolkit◦ User-Contributed Content◦ Support and Feedback Options

(Always a good idea to read the directions)

What To Look At First

Once you are grounded in how the RDA Toolkit software works, it is now time to look at the contents of the Toolkit.

These are divided into three tabs, found on the left-hand side of the screen◦ RDA◦ Tools◦ Resources

We will examine each individually

RDA Toolkit’s Three Tabs

The RDA Tab

RDA Introductory Material

Book Marking RDA Instructions

Print Function

The Tools Tab

RDA Element Set View

RDA to MARC Mapping

RDA Shared Workflows

Entity Relationship Diagrams

RDA Schemas

Resources Tab

RDA has two search options, Buttons for these can be found at the top of

the screen◦Quick Search◦Advanced Search

RDA Searching Features

Found on the User Menu (upper right) Used for

◦ Specific RDA instruction number◦ Search phrase found in RDA chapters,

appendices, and Glossary

Quick Search

RDA and corresponding AACR2 rules Instruction numbers Description types, Media types, Issuance

Types, and Work Types Can search for any document in the Toolkit

by◦ Phrase (with or without Boolean operators) – place

phrase in quotes◦ Select additional narrowing options◦ Multiple documents and/or document sections

Advanced Search

This is the first release of RDA We are all in the learning stage

◦ What works◦ What doesn’t work◦ What would work better if…

All those involved with RDA are committed to making improvements – ◦ Need positive, constructive criticism◦ Need subscribers to keep an open mind

Brave New World

To receive further information about the RDA Toolkit:

http://www.rdatoolkit.org/

(This provides you with FAQs, Information about RDA, pricing information, and whom to contact regarding subscribing to RDA)

An Important URL

ANY QUESTIONS?