The RDA Toolkit offers you a one-stop resource for implementing RDA – the new, unified standard for resource description and access, designed for the digital world and an expanding universe of metadata users.

The RDA Toolkit is an integrated, browser-based online product that allows users to interact with a collection of cataloguing-related documents and resources, including RDA: Resource Description and Access.

Benefits of RDA include:

• a structure based on the conceptual models of FRBR (functional requirements for bibliographic data) and FRAD (functional requirements for authority data) to help catalogue users find the information they need more easily
• a flexible framework for content description of digital resources that also serves the needs of libraries organizing traditional resources
• a better fit with emerging database technologies, enabling institutions to introduce efficiencies in data capture and storage retrieval
• an evolution of the cataloguing principles from AACR2, with rules carried over or adapted to the RDA model.

The RDA Toolkit provides you with the tools to evaluate and implement RDA; to make cataloguing decisions based on principles; to increase efficiency; to focus on highest-value activities; and to help position the community for the future by making bibliographic data accessible on the Web.

Highlights of what’s in the RDA Toolkit:

• RDA instructions that are searchable and browseable
• AACR2 Rule Number Search of RDA instructions
• Workflows, mappings, examples: tools to customize the RDA instruction set to support organizational training and processes
• Two views of RDA content - by table of contents and by element set
• What you need to evaluate and implement RDA; to make cataloguing descisions based on principles; to increase efficiency; to facilitate collaboration; and to help position the community for the future by making bibliographic data accessible on the Web.
• Full text of AACR2

The content of RDA has been developed in a collaborative process led by the Joint Steering Committee (JSC). The project is overseen by the Committee of Principals representing American Library Association, Canadian Library Association, CILIP, Library of Congress, Library and Archives Canada, British Library, and National Library of Australia. The RDA Toolkit is published by the American Library Association, the Canadian Library Association, and CILIP (through its publishing imprint Facet Publishing).

To sign up for the free open access period or subscribe to The RDA Toolkit visit: http://www.rdatoolkit.org/

ALSO AVAILABLE IN PRINT

RDA Instructions

RDA: Element Set View

Introducing RDA: A guide to the basics

Practical Cataloguing: AACR, RDA and MARC21

Cataloging Nonbook, Electronic, Web and Networked Resources Using AACR2 and RDA: A-how-to-do-it Manual for Librarians