The U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO), Library Services and Content Management (LSCM) is preparing to adopt a new iteration of the cataloging standard Resource Description and Access (RDA).
RDA is used in metadata services for the FDLP and Cataloging and Indexing Program (C&I). Staff in LSCM’s Metadata and Collection Services (MCS) use RDA and the RDA Toolkit daily to catalog U.S. Government information products and to create and maintain name authority records.
The new RDA, known as Official RDA, features both a redesigned RDA Toolkit and implementation of the Library Reference Model (LRM). The changes to RDA will impact LSCM’s cataloging workflows, training procedures, and the GPO Cataloging Guidelines.
Official RDA is now in use worldwide. However, it has not yet been adopted by the Program for Cooperative Cataloging (PCC), of which GPO is a member. PCC has a three-year rolling implementation plan from May 1, 2024 – April 30, 2027. PCC’s Standing Committee on Training (SCT) RDA Training Task Group for Monographs is developing training for cataloging print and electronic books. PCC’s SCT RDA Training Task Group for Name Authorities is designing the Name Authority Cooperative Program (NACO) training for Official RDA. The target date for both Task Group trainings is Fall 2026. MCS will utilize the completed documentation and training materials to make the switch to the new RDA, along with PCC. When a specific implementation date is finalized by MCS, it will be announced by LSCM.
To help prepare for the new RDA, MCS created the RDA/3R Project in May 2019. The RDA/3R Project represented the primary information gathering phase for LSCM’s adoption of Official RDA.
The RDA/3R Project’s accomplishments include:
- Gaining familiarity with LRM and the redesigned RDA Toolkit.
- Attending or viewing external training sessions on the new RDA and LRM.
- Creating internal training materials and conducting internal staff training sessions.
- Monitoring announcements from the RDA developers.
- Participating in the PCC test of the Official RDA Toolkit, in the roles of Tester, Evaluator, and Task Group Member.
In February 2024, MCS established an internal RDA Implementation Team to lead the next phase for LSCM’s adoption of Official RDA.
The Implementation Team’s goals include:
- Identifying and collocating existing training materials from the RDA Steering Committee, North American RDA Committee (NARDAC), PCC, and other institutions which can be utilized by MCS.
- Preparing application profiles as needed.
- Designing training sessions and materials for MCS staff which focus on applying the new RDA to Government information products.
- Identifying and documenting aspects of Official RDA that differ from Original RDA.
- Assessing existing MCS documentation and policies and enumerating necessary revisions.
- Updating the GPO Cataloging Guidelines to include Official RDA citation numbers and hyperlinks.
- Creating guidance for new cataloging workflows.
- Exploring automated options for cataloging workflows to the greatest extent possible.
Activities thus far include:
- Attending PCC training sessions on Official RDA.
- Monitoring announcements from the RDA developers and PCC.
- Participating in PCC’s SCT RDA Training Task Group for Name Authorities.
Training Resources
LSCM will share open-access training resources on this web page, for all who are interested in learning more about Official RDA.
- What Is IFLA/LRM?
- Learning Resources for Official RDA
- Phase 1: PCC Introductory RDA Training Webinars
Project Updates
October 2024-Present
MCS participates in the SCT RDA Training Task Group for Name Authorities, which was charged by PCC’s SCT to develop NACO training for Official RDA.
February 2024-Present
The MCS Implementation Team is developing the Official RDA Implementation Plan.
March 2024-May 2024
MCS Implementation Team members attended a series of webinars produced by PCC’s SCT RDA Training Task Group: Monographs, Phase 1: PCC Introductory RDA Training Webinars.
February 2024
MCS established an internal RDA Implementation Team to gather available training materials, produce internal training and documentation, and develop the strategy and timeline for Official RDA adoption at GPO.
December 2023
MCS ended the RDA/3R Project.
May 2022-October 2022
MCS catalogers attended the updated RDA Lab Series produced by the American Library Association.
March 2022-October 2023
MCS participated in the PCC’s Task Group to Test the Official RDA Toolkit, in the roles of Tester, Evaluator, and Task Group Member. The task group conducted a test to assess the usability of the redesigned LC-PCC Policy Statements (LC-PCC PSs) and newly-created Metadata Guidance Documents (MGDs). The group’s final report has aided the Library of Congress and PCC in revising the LC-PCC PSs and MGDs, which will in turn be used to support PCC training programs.
March 2021-Present
MCS staff attend webinars and forums related to Official RDA.
June-December 2020
MCS catalogers attended a series of webinars produced by the American Library Association, RDA Lab Series.
April 2020-March 2021
MCS staff members participated in informal internal training. Catalogers presented short sessions on topics of interest and created posters defining important new terminology.
February-March 2020
A cohort of MCS staff members attended the updated New Concepts series of webinars produced by the American Library Association (ALA).
February 2020
The RDA/3R Project team’s complete annotated list of available RDA and LRM training resources was distributed to all MCS catalogers, for independent study.
January 2020
A cohort of MCS staff members attended the RDA Toolkit Pre-Conference Workshop at the ALA Midwinter Meeting.
December 2019
A cohort of MCS staff members completed the Library Juice Academy online course: LRM: A New Foundation for RDA & the RDA Toolkit.
September-December 2019
RDA/3R Project team members updated GPO’s list of available RDA and LRM training resources. Team members assessed the resources to determine which would be most beneficial to GPO catalogers.
July-August 2019
RDA/3R Project team members attended two series of webinars produced by ALA, New Concepts and Special Topics. Project team members evaluated which webinars, or portions thereof, would be most beneficial to GPO catalogers.
June 2019
A cohort of MCS staff members attended the RDA Toolkit Redesign workshop at the ALA Annual Conference.
May-June 2019
RDA/3R Project team members compiled a list of available training resources on the new RDA and LRM.
May 2019
LSCM established the RDA/3R Project in MCS (formerly Library Technical Services) to prepare for the impact of Official RDA on GPO’s metadata work.