In case you have not heard, Resource Description & Access (a.k.a. RDA) is the cataloging code slated to replace the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules (AACR) sometime in the near future. I say sometime because release dates for RDA have been moving around for years.
In the cataloging community, views on RDA are mixed. For some, RDA is the next big change in cataloging and for others it is a tool where adoption of it is iffy at best. Lately, the pricing model has received a large number of comments on various discussion lists. For more information, see RDA frequently asked questions may be found on the RDA site.
In order to promote and introduce the product, ALA is offering webinars on RDA. The following post contains notes from my viewing of the webinar.
- RDA has a scheduled release date of June 2010
- RDA will be published by ALA, Canadian Library Association and CILIP
- RDA is a web only product, no print product will be produced but one can print PDF files
- AACR2 rules will be contained within RDA (e.g., can search by a particular AACR2 rule no.)
- RDA will be a licensed product with an annual base price plus added user fees
- Annual licensing fee of $325
- Additional 2-9 concurrent users are $55 per additional user
- RDA will not be part of Cataloger's Desktop from the Library of Congress, but will have links to it. K-State currently subscribes to Cataloger's Desktop. What this means is that we would still need a separate subscription in order to access RDA. The links will not work unless you are subscribed to both products.
- ALA Publishing is working on special volume pricing for consortiums and library schools. There was nothing firm shared yet.
- RDA will have complimentary access June 2010 through August 31, 2010. Registration will be required.
- Short-term additional users can be granted by request for specific training purposes.
- Free 30-day trials will be offered
- RDA will have the ability to create bookmarks (i.e. your own notes with the tool) and deep web linking.
- The number of profiles created in RDA are not related to the number of concurrent users purchased.
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