Rethinking Access with RDA (Resource Description and Access)

For over a decade, the cataloging community has been rethinking how it provides bibliographic access to resources in an increasingly digital environment. This rethinking has led to the development of Resource Description and Access (RDA) and its launch as an online product in June 2010. Grounded in a new conceptual framework, RDA differs from AACR2 in terms of its organization, terminology, and guidelines. This article will highlight some of the most significant changes relevant to catalogers of MARC records. It will also cover the history of RDA's development, its testing in the United States, and the various issues related to preparation for RDA implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]