Getting Around in theRDA Toolkit
Marjorie E. Bloss, LecturerDominican University
The RDA Toolkit has been developed by the three co-publishers responsible for RDA◦ The American Library Association◦ The Canadian Library Association◦ The Chartered Institute of Library and Information
Professionals (CILIP) These are the same groups that brought
you AACR2
Some Background Information
RDA Rules and Software RDA requires learning not only the
instructions themselves but also the software supporting those rules
Need to become familiar with what is included in the RDA Toolkit and its features
Will only hit the highlights Let’s look at what awaits us…
The Log-in Screen
Click on “Help” at the bottom Provides general information about the
software to include:◦ Search Tips ◦ QuickStart Guide◦ Navigating the RDA Toolkit◦ User-Contributed Content◦ Support and Feedback Options
(Always a good idea to read the directions)
What To Look At First
Once you are grounded in how the RDA Toolkit software works, it is now time to look at the contents of the Toolkit.
These are divided into three tabs, found on the left-hand side of the screen◦ RDA◦ Tools◦ Resources
We will examine each individually
RDA Toolkit’s Three Tabs
The RDA Tab
RDA Introductory Material
Book Marking RDA Instructions
Print Function
The Tools Tab
RDA Element Set View
RDA to MARC Mapping
RDA Shared Workflows
Entity Relationship Diagrams
RDA Schemas
Resources Tab
RDA has two search options, Buttons for these can be found at the top of
the screen◦Quick Search◦Advanced Search
RDA Searching Features
Found on the User Menu (upper right) Used for
◦ Specific RDA instruction number◦ Search phrase found in RDA chapters,
appendices, and Glossary
Quick Search
RDA and corresponding AACR2 rules Instruction numbers Description types, Media types, Issuance
Types, and Work Types Can search for any document in the Toolkit
by◦ Phrase (with or without Boolean operators) – place
phrase in quotes◦ Select additional narrowing options◦ Multiple documents and/or document sections
Advanced Search
This is the first release of RDA We are all in the learning stage
◦ What works◦ What doesn’t work◦ What would work better if…
All those involved with RDA are committed to making improvements – ◦ Need positive, constructive criticism◦ Need subscribers to keep an open mind
Brave New World
To receive further information about the RDA Toolkit:
http://www.rdatoolkit.org/
(This provides you with FAQs, Information about RDA, pricing information, and whom to contact regarding subscribing to RDA)
An Important URL
ANY QUESTIONS?