RDA Training I:
A Gentle Introduction
Wichita State University Libraries
Training plans

RDA training I: Content covered
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A gentle introduction to RDA
The main changes in RDA
Terminology changes
The new fields
Examples: how to identify the RDA records
Quick sheets for copy catalogers, serial catalogers
and music catalogers
◦ RDA testing
◦ RDA Toolkit
◦ Discussion: some system and policy issues
Training plans

Other training sessions to be held at
WSU Libraries:
◦ FRBR Training: a thorough introduction with many
examples
◦ RDA II training:
 Get to the details and hands-on
 Interpretation of RDA rules
 Creation of RDA records
 Use of RDA Toolkit
 How RDA impacts department workflow?
What is RDA?
Resource Description and Access, is the new, unified
cataloging standard;
 Designed for the digital world and an expanding universe of
metadata users;
 Replace AACR2, but is not AACR3.


RDA is based on IFLA’s international conceptual
models and principles:
◦ Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records (FRBR;
1998)
◦ Functional Requirements for Authority Data (FRAD; 2009)
◦ Statement of International Cataloguing Principles (ICP; 2009)

RDA is a content standard, not an encoding standard
(can use MARC 21, Dublin Core…).
Main changes from AACR2

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Move more towards international and
developed for the future (including future
systems)
Designed for wider scope of resources (e.g.
for non-print, non-text, unpublished resources)
Move from classes of materials to elements and
values (entities and attributes)
Emphasize user needs/user tasks
Built on entities “Work, Expression,
Manifestation, Item”
Emphasize relationships
Main changes from AACR2
“Take what you see” (representation
principle)
 Fewer abbreviations (clear for the
users)
 Content, Media, and Carrier types
(new)
 No more “rule of three”
 Sources for information expanded
 Controlled vocabularies available as
registries for the semantic web

Fundamental change: what makes it
“RDA” (rather than “AACR3”)

RDA is about recording entities, their attributes and
relationships among them.
 Take “attributes” as “characteristics” or “metadata”;
 Relationships can be between resources, between creators and resources,
and between creators.

A glimpse into FRBR (Functional Requirements for Bibliographic

One example:
Records):
◦ Group I Entities: Work, Expression, Manifestation, Item
◦ Group 2 Entities: Persons, Families, Corporate Bodies
◦ Group 3 Entities: Concepts, Objects, Events, Places
◦ Mapping Attributes and Relationships to User Tasks:
 to Find, identify, select and obtain an entity
◦ w1 L. Frank Baum’s The Wizard of OZ
 e1 text and illustrations for the first edition
 m1 the book published in 1956 by Rand McNally
 i1 copy signed by the author
Get an idea of what is in RDA
•
RDA structure
•
AACR2 structure
o
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1-4 Recording Attributes of
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Section 1: Manifestation & Item
Section 2: Work & Expression
Section 3: Person, Family, & Corporate Body
Section 4: Concept, Object, Event & Place
5 Recording Primary Relationships . . .
◦ Section 5: Between Work, Expression, Manifestation, & Item
•
6-7 Recording Relationships to . . .
◦ Section 6: Persons, Families, & Corporate Bodies
◦ Section 7: Concepts, Objects, Events, & Places
•
8-10 Recording Relationships between . . .
◦ Section 8: Works, Expressions, Manifestations, & Items
◦ Section 9: Persons, Families, & Corporate Bodies
◦ Section 10: Concepts, Objects, Events, & Places
o
Chapter 1-13
Description (by
categories)
Chapter 21-26
Headings, Uniform
Titles, and
References
Level of description
AACR2 first level of
description
– title proper
– first statement of
responsibility
– edition statement
– material specific details
– first publisher, etc.
– date of publication, etc.
– extent of item
– notes
– standard number
AACR2 has first, second, and
third levels of description;
 RDA has core elements and
core if elements for entities.

RDA core elements
Identifying manifestations and items
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
title proper
first statement of responsibility
designation of edition
designation of a named revision
of an edition
numbering of serials
Date of production (for
unpublished form)
first place of publication
first publisher’s name
date of publication
title proper of series/subseries
numbering within
series/subseries
identifier for the manifestation
carrier type
Source of information
• (AACR2) chief source of information • (RDA) preferred source of
specified for each class of material:
information specified for
three categories of
– books, pamphlets, and printed
sheets
resources:
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
cartographic materials
manuscripts
music
sound recordings
motion pictures and video
recordings
graphic materials
electronic resources
three-dimensional artifacts and
realia
microforms
continuing resources
–
–
–
Resources consisting of
one or more pages,
leaves, sheets, or cards
moving images
other resources
• AACR2 specifies a chief
source of information for
each class of material;
• RDA has fewer categories
for sources and specifies a
preferred source of
information for each.
Terminology changes: start to get
used to RDA
•
AACR
◦ Physical description
◦ Notes
◦ Heading
◦ Main entry
◦ Added entries
◦ See references
◦ See also references
◦ Author
◦ Uniform title
•
RDA
◦ Describing carriers
◦ Describing content or
Recording relationships
◦ Authorized access points
◦ Authorized access point for
creator + preferred title
◦ Access points
◦ Variant access points
◦ Authorized access points
for related entities
◦ Creator
◦ Preferred title or
conventional collective title
How to identify a RDA record

MARC coding changes for RDA
bibliographic records
 Leader/18: value “i” (ISBD) if using ISBD punctuation
 040 $a ____ $b eng $c ____ $e rda

Other clues:
◦ New fields: Content type (336); Media type
(337); Carrier type (338)
◦ Spelt out descriptions (e.g. pages, illustrations…)
How to identify RDA records: fixed
field and 040
How to identify RDA records: new
3XX fields
How to identify RDA records: new
3XX fields
RDA new fields

Three new fields-Replacement of GMD
◦ Content type: 336
◦ Media type: 337
◦ Carrier type: 338

Controlled vocabularies
◦ For media type and carrier type;
◦ Developed with ONIX community.
Content type

Content type
◦ RDA core element for expression
◦ new MARC field 336

Example: 336 $a text $2 rdacontent

Can repeat either 336 field or $a.

Use one or more of the terms in RDA 6.9.1.3
◦ Examples: cartographic image, computer dataset, notated music,
performed music, sounds, text, three-dimensional moving image…
◦ Other, unspecified
Media type

Media type
◦ LC core element for manifestation
◦ new MARC field 337

Media Type terms
◦ Audio, computer, microform, microscopic, projected,
stereographic, unmediated, video;
◦ If not apply, use “other”; if not certain, use “unspecified”.

Example: 337 $a unmediated $2 rdamedia
◦ Can repeat either 337 field or $a.
Carrier type

Carrier type
◦ RDA core element for manifestation
◦ new MARC field 338

Example: 338 $a volume $2 rdacarrier

Can repeat either 338 field or $a.
Carrier type terms

Audio carriers
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Microform carriers
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filmstrip cartridge

audio cartridge
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aperture card

overhead transparency

audio cylinder
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microfiche

slide

audio disc
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microfiche cassette
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Stereographic carriers

audio roll
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microfilm cartridge
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stereograph card

audiocassette
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microfilm cassette

stereograph disc

audiotape reel

microfilm reel
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Unmediated carriers
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sound-track reel

microfilm roll

card

Computer carriers
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microfilm slip

flipchart

computer card

microopaque

object

computer chip cartridge

Microscopic carriers

roll

computer disc

microscope slide

sheet

computer disc cartridge

Projected image carriers

volume
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computer tape cartridge

film cartridge
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video carriers
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computer tape cassette

film cassette

video cartridge
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computer tape reel

film reel
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videocassette

online resource

film roll

videodisc

filmslip

videotape reel

filmstrip
Extent

The number and type of units and/or subunits making
up a resource (MARC 300 subfield $a)

No abbreviations for terms, e.g.,: “pages,” “volumes”
Use “approximately” (not “ca.”) and “that is” (not “i.e.”)
Use “unnumbered” rather than square brackets
enclosing the numeral
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Changes in vocabulary from AACR2, e.g.:
◦ “study score,” not “close score” or “miniature score”
◦ “computer disc” for both “computer disk” and “computer
optical disc”
◦ “sheet,” not “broadside”
Extent, content and carrier type
examples

Book:
300 $a 123 pages, 28 unnumbered pages
336 $a text $2 marccontent
338 $a volume $2 marccarrier

Music CD:
300 $a 1 audio disc
336 $a performed music $2 marccontent
338 $a audio disc $2 marccarrier

DVD:
300 $a 1 DVD
336 $a two-dimensional moving image $2 marccontent
338 $a video disc $2 marccarrier

Online PDF:
300 $a 1 online resource (39 pages)
336 $a text $2 marccontent
338 $a online resource $2 marccarrier
Extent, content and carrier type
examples

Score:
300 $a 1 vocal score (xii, 300 pages)
336 $a notated music $2 marccontent
338 $a volume $2 marccarrier

Map:
300 $a 1 map
336 $a cartographic image $2 marccontent
338 $a sheet $2 marccarrier

Printed textual serial not yet complete:
No 300 field
336 $a text $2 marccontent
338 $a volume $2 marccarrier

Website (with maps, text, and photographs):
300 $a 1 online resource
336 $a text $a cartographic image $a still image $2 marccontent
338 $a online resource $2 marccarrier
How to identify RDA records: lack
of abbreviations
How to identify RDA records: lack
of abbreviations
RDA representation principle:“Take
what you see”

In transcribing information, “Take what you see” and
“accept what you get”:
◦ Capitalization, punctuation, abbreviations, inaccuracies,
symbols, numerals

Transcribe title:
◦ Don’t correct errors for monographs
◦ Do correct errors for serials and integrating resources to have
a stable title
◦ For music works, some additions to title will no longer be
abbreviated: arranged (not arr.), accompaniment (not acc.),
unaccompanied (not unacc.) (e.g. Bennett, Sharon. Vocalises,
unaccompanied)
RDA representation principle: “Take
what you see”

Transcribe Statement of Responsibility:
◦ Transcribe as found, do not omit: titles of nobility, address,
honour, initials of societies, dates of founding, mottoes…

Transcribe edition:
◦ Transcribe as found: do not abbreviate or convert numerals

Transcribe serial numbering:
◦ Serial: Transcribe terms and months as on the resource
◦ Alternative: follow local policy
How to identify RDA records:
capitalization
How to identify RDA records:
capitalization
How to identify RDA records:
transcribe typos in title
How to identify RDA records: transcribe as
found in Statement of Responsibility
How to identify RDA records: date
Phonogram copyright date
Copyright date

Use copyright date if neither date of publication nor date of
distribution identified;

Precede by copyright symbol (©), phonogram symbol (), or
words “copyright” or “phonogram” if the symbol cannot be
reproduced.

Three ways of transcribing copyright date:
◦ 260 …, $c [date of publication not identified], ©2009.
◦ 260 …, $c [2009].
◦ 260 …, $c [2009], ©2009.
How to identify RDA records: more
than 3 added entries
No more “rule of three”

Statement of responsibility naming more than
one person, family, or corporate body
◦ Transcribe as found, no more AACR2 “rule of three”
◦ Option: transcribe first name and give bracketed summary
about information not transcribed (e.g. …[and three others])
◦ Can have more than three added access points

No limitation on recording medium of
performance (no longer AACR2 “rule of three”)

No “rule of three” when sessions held in three
or more locations in creating authorized access
points for conferences
How to identify RDA records:
publication place and publisher name
Unidentified publisher, publication
place or date

If no probable place, give “[Place of
publication not identified]” – not “[S.l.]”

If no publisher identified, give “[publisher
not identified]” – not “[s.n.]”

If no probable date (very rare) for singlepart monographs, give “[date of
publication not identified]”
How to identify RDA records:
selections
Uniform title and selections

RDA does not use “Selections” as a
collective title; it is always appended to a
preferred or collective title;

RDA constructs analytical access points
for all the parts individually (700 … $t);

A conventional collective title (240) can
be used in addition to the 700 fields (240
… $a Works. $k Selections…)
How to identify RDA records: series
numbering (and no abbreviation)
Series numbering

Numbering within series may include a numeral, a
letter, any other character, or the combination of
these, with or without an accompanying caption
(volume, number, etc.) and/or a chronological
designation;

Record the numbering of the resource within the
series as it appears on the source of information
(e.g. volume 12, part 3, fasc. 1–2);

If the series has more than one separate system
of numbering, record the systems in the order in
which they are presented.
How to identify RDA records: the
Bible
Sacred Scripture and the Bible

Choose as the preferred title for a sacred
scripture the title by which it is most
commonly identified in reference
sources…

In RDA, individual books and groups of
books of the Bible are recorded as a
subdivision of “Bible”, rather than as a
subdivision of “O.T.”or “N.T.” (no more
Bible. $p O.T.).
How to identify RDA records:
personal name headings
Personal name headings: name with
title/term

Choose the form most commonly known;

Variant spellings: choose the form found
in the first resource received;

For names containing a surname, include
words, etc., indicating relationships (e.g.,
Jr., Sr., IV) -- not just to differentiate.
How to identify RDA records: family
as creators
Family names

In RDA, family names can be recorded as
creators or others associated with a work,
expression, manifestation, or item;

In constructing authorized access points to
represent a family, use the preferred name of
the family, and code the attributes of families
in MARC as follows:
 Type of family (100$a); Date associated with the family
(100$d); Place… ($c); Prominent Member of the family
(100$g)
How to identify RDA records:
corporate bodies
Corporate bodies

Retain frequency in the name of a conference,
congress, or meeting;

Omit the number and year of convocation from
the name of an exhibition, fair, or festival;

No “rule of three” when sessions held in three or
more locations (separated by semicolons in
access point);

If conference held online, location is “Online”
How to identify RDA records:
translations
Translations

For resources that include expressions in
more than one language, each expression
will be given a separate access point;

“Polyglot” is no longer used to designate
a group of languages.
How to identify RDA records:
Relationship designators
Relationship designators

Recorded in bibliographic (1XX, 6XX, 7XX, and 8XX) and/or authority
data (1XX, 4XX, 5XX).

Persons, Families, and Corporate Bodies with resource
◦ Relationship designators in RDA appendix I
◦ Examples: Architect, artist, author, cartographer, choreographer, compiler,
composer, designer, filmmaker, photographer, director, illustrator, editor…

Between resources
◦ Relationship designators in RDA appendix J
◦ Examples: translation of (work), based on (work), abridgement of (work),
adaptation of (work)…

Between Persons, Families, and Corporate Bodies
◦ Relationship designators in RDA appendix K
◦ Examples: alternate identity, real identity, family member, sponsor…
Other MARC format changes

MARC 21 Format for Bibliographic
Data
◦ New codes in 008:
 Code h - chorus score in Music 008/20 (Format of
music)
 Code i - condensed score in Music 008/20 (Format of
music)
 Code j - performer-conductor part in Music 008/20
(Format of music)
◦ New Codes in 007 Approved for Addition to
MARC 21 to Accommodate RDA
 http://www.loc.gov/marc/007008changes-RDA.html
MARC authority changes: new fields


For RDA ch. 9 (Identifying
Persons) elements:
◦ 046: special coded dates
◦ 370: associated place
◦ 371: address
◦ 372: Field of activity
◦ 373: affiliation
◦ 374: occupation
◦ 375: gender
For RDA ch. 10 (Identifying
Families) elements:
◦ 046: special coded dates
◦ 370: associated place
◦ 376: family information

•
•
For RDA ch. 11 (Identifying
Corporate Bodies) elements:
046: special coded dates
370: associated place
371: address
377: associated language
Other
380: form of work
381: other distinguishing characteristics
of work or expression
382: medium of performance
383: numeric designation of musical
work
384: key
If no separate MARC Field for a RDA element, give
information in 670 field.
RDA quick sheet for copy catalogers

To identify RDA records, look for:
◦ Leader/18 value “I” (ISBD), 040 $a ____ $b eng $c ____
$e rda
◦ The three new fields: 336, 337 and 338;
◦ Transcribed as found (245 $a $c) (e.g. uppercases and
typos in title, lengthy statement of responsibility);
◦ “[publisher not identified] etc in 260;
◦ Copyright symbol (©) and phonogram symbol () in 260
$c;
◦ Lack of abbreviations (300, 250…);
◦ No more “Rule of Three” (e.g. more than three for
transcribed creators, added access points, conference
locations…)
◦ Relationship designators (e.g. translation of …, adaptation
of …)
◦ Search RDA records in OCLC: e.g., dx:rda and mt:bks and
yr:2010 and kw:kansas
RDA quick sheet for serial catalogers

Correct typo in serial title (if encountered), an exception to
“Transcribe as found”

No supplied other title information (e.g., no $b [proceedings])

Transcribe volume, number, year and month as on the resource
◦ Alternative: follow local policy

Record related works (772, 780, 785, 787)

Record related expressions and manifestations (775, 776)

Same as monographs:
◦ Leader/18 value “I” (ISBD), 040 $a ____ $b eng $c ____ $e rda
◦ The three new fields: 336, 337 and 338;
◦ Lack of abbreviations (300, 250…)
◦ Copyright symbol (©) and phonogram symbol () in 260 $c;
◦ No more “Rule of Three” (e.g. record more than three conference
locations…)

Search RDA serial records in OCLC: e.g. , dx:rda/ser/2010, or, dx:rda
and mt:ser and yr:2010
RDA quick sheet for music catalogers

Lack of abbreviations, use “arranged”, “accompanied” etc for
additions to title and statement of responsibility;

No “rule of three” for recording creators, the medium of
performances and adding access points;

“Works. Selections” used instead of just “selections” for a
collection of works by a single composer containing various
types of work for various mediums;

Librettos now entered under the writer of the libretto,
variant access point made under the composer.

Search RDA serial records in OCLC: e.g. , dx:rda/sco/2010,
or, dx:rda and mt:sco and yr:2010 (use “rec” for sound
recordings and “vis” for visual materials)
RDA testing

Three national libraries in the U.S.
◦ Library of Congress
◦ National Agricultural Library
◦ National Library of Medicine

Test partners
◦ Institutions that produce MARC 21 and/or non-MARC records (e.g.
Columbia, Emory, Ohio State);
◦ Library professional associations (e.g. Music Library Association/Online
Audiovisual Catalogers, Inc.);
◦ Library educators (e.g. GSLIS Group (Dominican University, University of
Wisconsin-Milwaukee, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign);
◦ Vendors (e.g. OCLC Metadata Contract Services, Quality Books).
RDA testing

Timeline
◦ July 1-September 30, 2010 - test partners become familiar with the content
of RDA and with navigating the RDA Toolkit
◦ October 1-December 31, 2010 – test partners produce records and share
them with the Test Coordinating Committee
◦ January 1-March, 2011 – RDA Test Coordinating Committee analyzes records
and prepares report for the three national libraries
◦ Now? Widespread adoption of RDA within the US is not expected until after
the evaluation report is released.





RDA Test Records: include Common Original Set (25), Common Copy
Set (5) and Extra Set.
Each test partner will create one record using RDA and one using AACR2
in Connexion.
RDA Test Website: http://www.loc.gov/bibliographic-future/rda/
Records download: http://www.loc.gov/catdir/cpso/RDAtest/rdatestrecords.html
Search RDA records in OCLC: dx:rda plus other term limits, e.g.
dx:rda/2011/dlc, dx:rda and mt:bks and yr:2011 and kw:kansas
To copy catalogers





Accept RDA records in WorldCat as other
records (not a parallel record);
Be able to identify RDA records;
Get familiar with RDA terminology and new
fields;
Be cautious in making corrections to RDA
records; don’t change the typo in “title” field
if it is what displays on the item;
Check RDA Toolkit for RDA rules if
necessary.
RDA Toolkit

RDA Toolkit:
◦ www.rdatoolkit.org

What you can do in RDA Toolkit:
◦ Read, navigate and search the RDA documents
(under “RDA” tab);
◦ Create your own profile; add and save your
bookmarks;
◦ Read and search RDA instructions and encodings
by entities (Under “Tools- Element set view”);
◦ Search RDA elements through MARC
elements, or vice versa (Under “Tools- RDA
mappings);
◦ Search MODS syntax through RDA elements.
RDA Toolkit
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
Create local workflow and make it sharable; consult
shared workflows (under “Tools-Workflows”);
Understand entities, attributes and relationships
through diagrams (under “Tools- Entity Relationship
Diagram (ERD)”);
Download the RDA schema for XML data exchange
(under “Tools-schemas”);
Check old AACR2 rules;
Consult Library of Congress Policy Statements
(LCPS);
Links to other resources including Open Archives
Initiative, Open Metadata Registry, Cataloger's Desktop
and XC Extensible Catalog.
Discussion: some system and policy
issues



Update tag tables;
New fields, their indicators, subfields and the
controlled vocabularies;
OCLC policy statement on RDA cataloging
in WorldCat for the U.S. testing period:
◦ http://www.oclc.org/us/en/rda/policy.htm



Do not implement authority changes until
NACO testing is complete;
How to work with vendor records?
How does RDA affect our department
workflow?
References and resources
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Davis, Renette (2011). Serials & e-books in RDA. Oregon Library
Association RDA 101 Preconference, April 6, 2011.
Kandarasheva, Irina & Wilson, Mark (2011). Preparing Copy Catalogers
for RDA. ALCTS RDA webinar.
Maxwell, Robert. RDA in depth: differences between RDA and AACR2.
Utah Library Association Annual Conference. Saint George, Utah, USA.
May 7, 2010. http://www.rda-jsc.org/docs/RDA_part_2_201005.pdf
RDA Documentation in RDA Toolkit: www.rdatoolkit.org
RDA Library of Congress RDA test training materials:
http://www.loc.gov/catdir/cpso/RDAtest/rdatraining.html
Schiff, A. Changes from AACR2 to RDA: a comparison of examples, 2010.
In BC Library Conference, Penticton, British Columbia, Canada,22 April
2010. http://eprints.rclis.org/handle/10760/14509
Tillett, Barbara. RDA changes from AACR2 for texts. The Library of
Congress webcast.
http://www.loc.gov/today/cyberlc/feature_wdesc.php?rec=4863
Tillett, Barbara & Kuhagen, Judith. RDA test “Train the Trainer” webcasts.
http://www.loc.gov/bibliographic-future/rda/trainthetrainer.html
Training materials created and compiled by Sai Deng, Metadata
Cataloger,Wichita State University Libraries.
Thanks Nancy Deyoe, Assistant Dean for Technical Services, for
providing suggestions and guidance.
Thank you!