RDA: an introduction

Gordon Dunsire

Presented to the Workshop on Conceptual Modelling for Archives, Libraries and Museums

28-29 Jan 2010, National Gallery, Helsinki

RDA

Resource Description and AccessA new standard for creating bibliographic

metadataBased on the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules

In development since 1841 (Panizzi’s rules for the British Museum)

And FRBR, FRAD and other more modern stuffFunctional Requirements for Bibliographic RecordsDeveloped by the International Federation of Library

Associations and Institutions (IFLA); published 1998Statement of International Cataloguing Principles, 2009

User-centred features of RDA (1)

Covers all types of userThose who need to find, identify, select, obtain

and use information, and manage and organize information bibliographically

Covers all mediaPrint-based, digital; textual, visual, etc.

Equal, even treatment gives more control to the user in finding and choosing the most appropriate resources

Improves the FRBRizability of cataloguesSupporting user tasks of find, identify, select and

obtain

FRBRization

Work

Expression 1

Manifestation 1.1

Item 1.1.1

Expression 2

Manifestation 2.1 Manifestation 2.2

Item 2.1.1 Item 2.2.1 Item 2.2.2

Is realised through

Is embodied in

Is exemplified by

Symphony no.1

LSO performance

DVD-A

Copy on shelf

User-centred features of RDA (2)

Clearly distinguishes content from carrierE.g. Moving pictures on DVD; text on CD-ROMHelpful for users with special needs

E.g. restrict search to non-visual resources

MultinationalAnglo-centricity (and cataloguer-eccentricity)

removedAbbreviations and acronyms avoidedLatinisms removed

Farewell s.n., s.l., et al.

[Still arguing about square brackets!]

User-centred features of RDA (3)

Independent of technical metadata formatsCan be used with MARC, DC (Dublin Core)

And a whole bunch of other acronyms

Gives user familiar metadata regardless of what system is used

Designed for the digital environmentRDA will be published as an online product

So could be incorporated in user help facilitiesE.g. How a “preferred title for the work” (uniform title) is

derived

Cataloguer-centred features of RDA (1)

Online product designed to interface and integrate with cataloguing modulesWork-flow integration will give step-by-step and

contextual access to content rulesPossibility of adding local examplesPossibility of “myRDA”, removing unwanted rules

and unused optionsLMS vendors being kept informedAvoidance of repetitive strain injury

Looking for that rule on corporate body main entry in AARC2

Cataloguer-centred features of RDA (2)

More emphasis on cataloguer’s judgmentGuidelines rather than “rules”

Rules grouped by bibliographic element rather than format

Bibliographic elements related to FRBR entities (related to user tasks)Why am I recording this information?

Authority control includedGenerally compatible with AACR

Thank you

g.dunsire@strath.ac.uk