Library Futures: Cataloging - New Perspectives 4/8/11

This College of DuPage teleconference focused on changes occurring in the realm of cataloging right now, specifically RDA. There was also much discussion about how entities outside of the library world are interested in library data and the importance of the semantic web. To date, there isn't much library data available "in the cloud," but there are places on the web where bibliographic data is used (e.g., Amazon), but it isn't necessarily following the consistent format laid out like we do with library bibliographic formats.
Although I've listened to a handful of sessions regarding RDA over the past year, today's point about FRBR being the conceptual backbone of RDA struck me. The process of how RDA came into place was reviewed throughout the presentation.
The presenters have compiled a great starting list of resources on these topics that can be found at http://www.dupagepress.com/library-learning-network/cataloging/resources.
The two presenters (Karen Coyle and Christopher Cronin) ended the presentation reiterating points about how the library community needs to be involved in this process and that librarians need to recognize that changes are happening. It's time to jump in and learn all we can so we can be active participants in the change.

RDA: What It Is, and What It Means to You - November 11, 2010

I tuned in to a Minitex webinar led by Mark Ehlert about RDA (Resource Description and Access.) The presentation included an introduction to the foundations of RDA, FRBR (Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records) and FRAD (Functional Requirements for Authority Data), covered what RDA is along with an explanation of the toolkits available, the testing that has been done, and the potential rollout of RDA.

This was a great introduction to the topic and set the stage for learning more details about using RDA when/if that time comes. Mark made it clear AACR2 is not going away any time soon, but it's still a good idea to start planning for the likely change to RDA down the line.
These are the major ideas about RDA to keep in mind at this time:
1) RDA is the proposed successor to AACR2

• rules for creating descriptions of resources
• rules for devising access points to discover resources
• rules follow AACR2 predominantly
• greater reliance on cataloger's judgment
• fewer abbreviations used; words are transcribed instead (e.g., First edition instead of 1st ed.)

2) Based on FRBR/FRAD rather than ISBD

3) Layout of the materials and terminology differ from AACR2 (not as linear)

4) 3 new fields (336, 337, 338) will be required in an RDA record

Surely much more to come on this topic!