[RDA-L] RDA and granularity

[Karen Coyle]

Deborah Fritz pointed out to me over coffee at ALA that there is a  
significant difference in granularity between the RDA elements, as  
defined by JSC, and what we have today in MARC. I will try to give one  
simple example here, using Title Proper, but I'm sure there are many  
others. The questions that arise for me are:
1) is the granularity of MARC necessary/functional?
2) is the granularity of RDA sufficient? or is it expected that  
systems will develop greater granularity than the RDA elements?

*************
RDA: Title proper
RDA: Other title information
RDA: Statement of responsibility

MARC: 245
$a - Title
$b - Remainder of title
$c - Statement of responsibility
$f - Inclusive dates
$g - Bulk dates
$h - Medium
$k - Form
$n - Number of part/section of a work
$p - Name of part/section of a work
$s - Version

**********************

Now, given my vague understanding of this level of detail in  
cataloging, I don't know if these "elements" are no longer valid in  
RDA, or if they are included but not designated as separate elements.  
At least the part/section information seems to be included in RDA as  
part of the title proper: (2.3.1.7)

"If the title of the part, section, or supplement is preceded by an  
enumeration or alphabetic designation, record the common title,  
followed by the enumeration or designation, followed by the title of  
the part, section, or supplement. Use a full stop to separate the  
common title from the enumeration or alphabetic designation, and a  
comma to separate the enumeration or alphabetic designation from the  
title of the part, section, or supplement."

e.g.s

"Journal of the American Leather Chemists? Association. Supplement"
"Études et documents tchadiens. Série B"

So, back to my questions:
1) is the granularity of MARC necessary/functional?
2) is the granularity of RDA sufficient? or is it expected that  
systems will develop greater granularity than the RDA elements as  
defined by JSC?
--
Karen Coyle
kco...@kcoyle.net http://kcoyle.net
ph: 1-510-540-7596
m: 1-510-435-8234
skype: kcoylenet