The RDA Workbook

Book excerpt: Whether a library catalogs its own materials or not, librarians still need to have some understanding of RDA. Designed to be used by academic, public, and school librarians, this is the perfect introduction. RDA (Resource Description and Access) was released in March 2013 and catalogers are busy trying to understand and implement the new protocols. This book will help. Unlike the RDA training materials prepared for seasoned catalogers by the Library of Congress and others, the The RDA Workbook: Learning the Basics of Resource Description and Access uses tried-and-true methods to make RDA clear even to those who have little or no previous cataloging knowledge. The workbook can be used by an individual or to teach others in staff training sessions, presentations, or LIS courses. It discusses the theoretical framework of the cataloging code; details the steps necessary to create a bibliographic for books, videos, and other formats; and shows librarians how to read and interrupt authority records for persons, families, corporate bodies, works, and expressions. Finally, the workbook suggests strategies for implementing RDA.