This document provides an overview of RDA (Resource Description and Access) and how it improves upon AACR2 (Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, 2nd edition). It notes that RDA was developed starting in 1978 to create a single international cataloging standard. RDA addresses weaknesses in AACR2 like inconsistent language, lack of support for cataloger judgment, and inability to describe 21st century materials. RDA is better suited for the future of cataloging and will replace AACR2 in 2010.

1. RDA v. AACR2
Presented by:
Staci Novak, Elizabeth Oliver, Katy Patrick,
and Nichole Penley

2. The arrival of a new era
 1978

3. The happenings of 1978
 In 1978, Garfield made his first
appearance in a newspaper
 The Copyright Act of 1976 went into
effect
 Charlie Chaplin's body was stolen and
found
 There was a blizzard like no other.
 It was the era of disco and bell bottom
jeans

4. In Library Science
 The British library, American Library Association, and
Canadian library association formed the Joint Steering
Committee to create one text for cataloguing.
 This was not the first time that there had been talk of
creating one text; for example,
◦ In 1908, the first international code was published.
 In 1978, there were two editors appointed.
◦ Michael Gorman on behalf of the British Library and Paul
Winkler are behalf of the American Library.
 By 1981, the Library of Congress, British Library,
Australian National Library, and the National Library of
Canada had adopted the AACR2.
 AACR2 has undergone revisions throughout the years
with the most recent being in 2002. cite
http://www.rda-jsc.org/history.html

5. Defense Exhibit A
Books, pamphlets, printed sheets
Cartographic materials
Manuscripts
Music
Sound recordings
Motion pictures and videos
Graphic materials
Electronic resources
3D artifacts and realia
Microforms
Continuing resources

6. Defense Exhibit B
0-General Rules
1-Title and Statement of Responsibility
2-Edition
3-Material Specific Details
4-Publication, Distribution, Etc.
5-Physical Description
6-Series
7-Notes
8-Standard Number and Terms of
Availability

7. WEAKNESSES OF AACR2R
 1.Catalogers are left to their own
judgment with little support.
 2. There is language that is inconsistent
and confusing.
 3. It is neither prepared for nor adapting
well to materials in the 21st century.

8. EXHIBIT A: Catalogers are left to
their own judgment with little
support.
 "Seperate but equal skools are
inposible."
 Correcting it either way
recommended by AACR2-2005 is
a practical challenge:
1. Sepe i.e.[a] rate but equal sk
i.e. [ch]ools are inpos[sfible.
2. Seperate [sic] but equal skools
[sic] are inposible [sic].

9. EXHIBIT B: There is language that
is inconsistent and confusing.
 "multiple bibliographic identities"
aka pseudonyms.
 "If a person has established two
or more bibliographic identities,
as indicated by the fact that
works of one type appear under
one pseudonym and works of
other types appear under other
pseudonyms or the person's
 real name, choose, as the basis
for the heading for each group of
works, the name by which works
in that group are identified”

10. EXHIBIT C: It is neither prepared
for nor adapting well to materials
in the 21st century.
 Warning: Video is rated “V” for some
violence.
 Afraid of technology video

11. RDA
Resource Description and Access

12. What is RDA?
 Will replace AACR2R in 2010.
 Consists of introduction, description
chapter, relationship chapters, and
authority control, and appendices.
 Based on AACR2R and is aligned with
FRBR.

13. Why it’s better than AACR2R
 Addresses unclear terms
 Will reduce discrepancies in descriptions
 Incorporation of multiple languages
 Geared towards the future

14. VERDICT? GUILTY!
 LIBRARIANS = FUTURE
 RDA = FUTURE
 AACR2R = GUILTY