Resource Description And Access:The Practical Impact of RDA

Patricia LongoOLA Conference February 2, 2008

Based on information from:JSC websitePresentations by:Sue AndrewsMarjorie BlossJennifer Bowen and John AttigDon ChathamGordon DunsireDeirdre KiorgaardChris OliverBarbara Tillet

New workflows for a new age

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• Metadata created by a wider range of personnel and by computers

• Automatic data capture from online resources themselves

• Use of external descriptive data in digital form from publishers, creators, etc.

• RDA acknowledges the changes in the way cataloguing will be done

New workflows for a new age• RDA incorporates different methods of

capturing and generating metadata• RDA is a metadata standard compatible

with web architecture and interoperable with semantic web initiatives to facilitate metadata exchange

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New workflows for a new age• Online workflow requires an online tool

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New format for a new age• Primarily designed as a web tool for use

in online, networked environment• Accessible from desktop as other

cataloguing tools• Accessible to all cataloguing staff• Efficiently integrates into online cataloguing

workflow

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New format for a new age• Primarily a digital hypertext document• Easier to zero in on relevant instructions• Easier to navigate cross-references• Useful “keyword” searching of headings,

definitions, or text• Definitions are just a click away• Mouse over features and hotlinks give easy

access to examples and related rules

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Online Product Functionalities• Scrollable browse of text, TOC and index• Links to cross references within RDA, to

other collections and products, and to outside environment• Notes and bookmarks• Export for printing• Profile-related features

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Online Product Functionalities• Advanced, keyword, controlled

vocabulary, and TOC search capability• Interoperability with OCLC, ILS

vendors, and other cataloguing tools by way of content links keyed to catalogue record fields• Choice of full or custom view

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Online Product Functionalities

• Data input templates or worksheets for different encoding schemes (ISBD, MARC, Dublin Core)• Ability to use existing, or create new

workflows, or step-by-step guides

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Online Product Functionalities

• “Crosswalk” to AACR2 that will provide related AACR2 rules numbers or text for reference• AACR2 to RDA index

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Online Product Functionalities

• Focus is on users and the information and guidance that they need

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Making Decisions/Choosing Options

• RDA will offer many alternatives or options; Only a few required elements• Who decides which alternatives or

options to apply?• LAC, and other national libraries• Other governing bodies (OCLC, PCC)• Individual institutions

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Making Decisions/Choosing Options

• LAC will make national application decisions on some options and provide guidance to Canadian libraries• OCLC/PCC will make decisions for

cataloguing under their control

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Making Decisions/Choosing Options

• At the individual library level, RDA will lead cataloguers through an explicit, logical decision process• Will build cataloguer judgment based

on principles

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Making Decisions/Choosing Options

• Focus of RDA is on content not on display• RDA offers guidelines, not rules• A more flexible and extensible set of

guidelines for existing and future resource types

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Coding RDA Records in MARC 21• Most RDA data elements can be

incorporated into MARC 21• There will be some modification of

MARC 21 e.g. new data element to replace GMDs• RDA Joint Steering Committee is

working with MARC 21 developers to map RDA to MARC and vice versa

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Using RDA with Other Metadata Encoding Schema• Structure of RDA maps to its two

underlying conceptual models: FRBR and FRAD• Structure of RDA also maps to two

related metadata models: Dublin Core Abstract Model and <indecs> Metadata Framework

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Using RDA with Other Metadata Encoding Schema• Plans to develop a Dublin Core/RDA

Application profile• In support of this, plans to define RDA

Element Vocabulary (fields) and to disclose RDA Value Vocabularies (content of fields) on the Web

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Using RDA with Other Metadata Encoding Schema• RDA elements can map to a number of

encoding and presentation syntaxes e.g. MARC 21, ISBD, RDF compliant XML, Dublin Core

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Compatibility with Existing Records• Compatible with legacy records, little

or no retrospective conversion of records required• Intention to maintain compatibility for

access points• Changes are analyzed to assess impact on

existing catalogues

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Compatibility with Existing Records

• Compatible with internationally established principles and models and metadata standards

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Integration with Library Systems

• MARBI (MARC format developers) and system vendors are preparing for RDA• MARC fixed field codes will be adapted

for new content types developed between RDA and ONIX (publishing trade organization)

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Integration with Library Systems

• Integration of new content type codes into library systems could allow users to restrict searches to general or specific classes of content

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Integration with Library Systems

• System vendors will be able to more easily integrate RDA into cataloguing modules e.g. developing workflows, templates and context-sensitive help that utilize the functionality of the web-based RDA product

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Integration with Library Systems

• RDA/ONIX framework being developed to allow publishers’ metadata to be harvested to populate RDA records• This requires vendors to integrate

functionality and new content and carrier codes into systems

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Training for RDA• Cataloguers will need some training in

RDA• New terminology and new organization

to learn• Orientation to underlying conceptual

models and principles• Training on rules that have changed

between AACR2 and RDA

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Training for RDA• Training will be offered by various

groups; plans already underway• LAC, in partnership with British Library,

Library of Congress, and National Library of Australia, will work on implementation of RDA, including training, documentation, and national application decisions

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Training for RDA• Online product itself will facilitate

teaching and learning through•Worksheets • Step-by-step workflow guides

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Training for RDA• Worksheets• Facilitate initial introduction for

experienced cataloguers and training of new cataloguers• Links from worksheet to instructions for

each data element• System vendors may customize

cataloguing input applications to provide similar links to RDA

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Training for RDA

• Step-by-step workflow interface will facilitate training for:• New cataloguers• Those learning to catalogue different

types of material

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Price

• Not yet established, but probably a sliding scale depending on number of users, size and type of institution

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In summary• The potential practical impact of RDA

is far-reaching:• Improve access and ease of use of the

major descriptive cataloguing tool• Provide theoretical framework and

more options to strengthen cataloguer judgment

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In summary• Provide extensible guidelines for all

types of materials, current and future• Facilitate cataloguing training and

creation of records• Facilitate the use of external sources of

metadata, and metadata built into electronic resources, for creating records

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In summary• Produce metadata that can be used

with a number of metadata encoding schema• Change the way our catalogues work

through adherence to FRBR and FRAD models; clarify relationships between entities and improve collocation

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In summary• Improve the search function in

catalogues through enhanced content and carrier coding and description

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More Information• JSC web site:

http://www.collectionscanada.ca/jsc/rda.html• Access to drafts, general information,

meeting outcomes, and FAQ• Comments on drafts are welcome

• Look for a new prototype soon at http://www.rdaonline.org

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