Resources for a transitioning cataloging environment

Last updated June 10, 2024

This page started as a quick resource page for myself and anyone who wanted to stay informed of the development of Resource Description and Access (RDA) as it moved toward publication. That day has since come and passed and many changes to RDA have come and gone. Currently, we have two RDA's--the Original RDA and Official RDA, the latter for use in a Linked data environment. RDA/JSC and RDA Toolkit have announced plans for the removal of the Original RDA, stating:

...a hard date for the removal of the original RDA Toolkit website is needed. This determination was made against a backdrop of giving user communities plenty of time for planning in their transition to official RDA.

The Board plans to begin a countdown clock in May 2026 (specific date still to be determined), with the removal of the original Toolkit taking place a year later—May 2027.

This plan was presented to the RDA Steering Committee last week, and the RSC fully supported this decision. ( https://www.rdatoolkit.org/news/rda/countdown-clock-original-rda-toolkit-set-may-2026 )

At the same time, the Library of Congress Network Development and MARC Standards Office is deep into the development of the Bibliographic Framework (BIBFRAME). BIBFRAME is intended to replace MARC21 although exactly when that will happen is still to be determined. MARC-based records   

This list has morphed to include a broader array of resources revolving around RDA and the transitioning environment of cataloging, and metadata, including linked data, etc. This page is not intended to be a complete list of resources, and it is subject to change. Corrections and suggestions for additions are welcome.

In 2012 I had the pleasure of editing a special issue of the Journal of Library Metadata entitled "Functional Future of Bibliographic Control : transitioning into new communities of practice and awareness" (volume 12, issue 2-3, September 2012). Those interested can read my Introduction to the issue here. This issue was also published as a book by Routledge, 2014. ISBN 978-0-415-71602-4. (Please note, the book title is slightly different: "Functional Future for Bibliographic Control").

In May 2024, I joined the North American Resource Description and Access Committee (NARDAC) in my capacity as a cataloging educator. 

Stakeholders

Resources

RDA  (needs to be updated)

RDA Testing  (pre-2015)

MARC21 (Library of Congress Network Development and MARC Standards Office)

IFLA Functional Requirements

Linked Data NEW

General

Listservs

 

Just for Fun...