Re: [RDA-L] Feedback on RDA

[Guy Vernon Frost]

In our (catalog librarians') case we've just not had the time to comment.
It's only now, when we are forced to make some decisions are we looking at
it (with disgust I might add). We've decided to not subscribe to RDA Toolkit
at this time (it's like investing in stocks only to find it goes bust and
you've lost your money). It's not worth the money and are also prepared to
NOT adopt it in our library unless the changes in the ILS mandate it.

Guy Frost, B.M.E., M.M.E., M.L.S., Ed.S 
Catalog Librarian/Facilitator of Technical Processing 
Associate Professor of Library Science 
Odum Library, Valdosta State University
Valdosta, GA 31698-0150  Depository 0125 
229-259-5060 ; FAX 229-333-5862
gfr...@valdosta.edu

-----Original Message-----
From: Resource Description and Access / Resource Description and Access
[mailto:rd...@listserv.lac-bac.gc.ca] On Behalf Of Mike Tribby
Sent: Monday, August 30, 2010 4:25 PM
To: RDA-L@LISTSERV.LAC-BAC.GC.CA
Subject: Re: [RDA-L] Feedback on RDA

> Without taking a position one way or the other on the usability RDA as a
ruleset or the software ALA has wrapped it in, I'll just say that It's not
fair to say that there's been no feedback from the library community about
the content of the RDA instructions.  The content of RDA has been in
development since 2002, when the Joint Steering Committee began revising
AACR2, and there's been a lengthy review and comment period after every
draft.  The drafts were publicly available, and the means of commenting on
them were widely publicized in the library community as they were happening.

This is indubitably so. It is also the case that there were frequent and
very public calls for input and comment, yet many catalogers seem to have
been unaware of the project at all, or at least as to the specifics of what
was being undertaken. I wonder if it might not have been advantageous to
take the lack of widespread feedback as an indication of disinterest,
whether in the process or in the need for radical change in the first place.
Then, of course, one could argue with whether what has emerged is radical
enough for those who seek change, I suppose. I do think it's clear that a
groundswell of approval has not ensued, but I'm not sure that indicates
anything more than more disinterest.




Mike Tribby
Senior Cataloger
Quality Books Inc.
The Best of America's Independent Presses

mailto:mike.tri...@quality-books.com