rda-l  

Re: [RDA-L] Feedback on RDA

Cookson, Ms. Melissa
Mon, 30 Aug 2010 15:09:42 -0700

My take on this is that there is a difference between having the time to go 
over RDA and understand it well enough to comment upon it, and keeping up 
enough that, when/if it's time for RDA to be implemented, one has strategies 
for doing so. Since RDA is not necessarily a done deal in the U.S., it can be 
difficult to argue (with supervisors, library directors, whoever else) for the 
time to go over RDA in any detail, particularly when there is a mountain of 
work that must be done in a timely manner and no one else who can do it. 

For my own part, I've tried to keep track of the major changes, particularly 
those that would require time working with our Systems Librarian so that 
everything will continue to display in an understandable way. I've also taken a 
look at the Toolkit from the perspective of someone who may have to catalog 
with it. None of that gives me the ability to make critical comments about RDA, 
however.


Melissa Cookson
Catalog Librarian
Tarleton State University
Email: cook...@tarleton.edu



-----Original Message-----
From: Resource Description and Access / Resource Description and Access 
[mailto:rd...@listserv.lac-bac.gc.ca] On Behalf Of Miksa, Shawne
Sent: Monday, August 30, 2010 4:49 PM
To: RDA-L@LISTSERV.LAC-BAC.GC.CA
Subject: Re: [RDA-L] Feedback on RDA

I shudder at the thought of hearing that argument from my doctor. What happened 
to continuing education and job skill development? We've been offering 
workshops, pre-conferences, webinars, etc., on FR-related things and RDA for 
several years now. There are dozens of articles in the professional 
publications, there are blogs in which people post thoughts and criticism on 
all the issues--outside of their regular work, I imagine. I know cataloging 
departments that have weekly or monthly meetings during work hours in which to 
discuss the issues--and yes I realize some of you are working on your own, but 
there are online communities within professional associations that you can tap 
into for help. If you are unwilling to make the time, or insist to your 
employer that you need time during work hours, then what will you do when RDA 
is implemented and you don't have a clue what to do?  I don't understand the 
logic behind your argument. 

 
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Shawne D. Miksa, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Library and Information Sciences
College of Information
University of North Texas
email: shawne.mi...@unt.edu
http://courses.unt.edu/smiksa/index.htm
office 940-565-3560 fax 940-565-3101
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