AUTHOR: Chris Oliver
STARTED: June 7, 2012
FINISHED: July 5, 2012
PAGES: 117
GENRE: Library Science
FIRST SENTENCE: RDA, Resource Description and Access, is the new cataloging standard that replaces the Anglo-American Cataloging Rules, 2nd edition (AACR2).
SUMMARY: [From B&N] While Resource Description and Access (RDA), the new cataloging standard, succeeding Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules (AACR), is finally a reality, a firm understanding of what it is and how it will affect our current cataloging practices is still an elusive dream for some. Oliver (cataloging & authorities coordinator, McGill Univ. Lib., Montreal), chair of the Canadian Committee on Cataloguing, has written a useful guide that provides a clear explanation of what RDA is all about. Through numerous examples, Oliver compares and contrasts RDA and AACR. He also discusses RDA background and its connection to the Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records (FRBR) and Functional Requirements for Authority Data (FRAD) models and international standards, changes in cataloging practice, the advantages of changing to RDA, and the factors involved in making the transition, e.g., the training involved.
THOUGHTS: I learned nothing until the last chapter. Seriously, it was gobbly-gook to me. I think that says more about me than it does about the author. I should have read the last chapter and left it at that. In fact, that is what I recommend. If you are not a seasoned cataloger but need to learn about RDA, just read the last chapter.
The writing was fine, but I don't immerse myself in cataloging so many of the fine details were lost on me.
RATING: 4/10 [An "okay" book]
Comments