-------- Original Message --------
Subject:        OCLC statement on the RDA implementation decision
Date:   Fri, 17 Jun 2011 15:14:31 -0400
From:   Weitz,Jay <[log in to unmask]>
To:     Maps, Air Photo, GIS Forum - Map Librarianship
<[log in to unmask]>



With the release of the “Response of the Library of Congress, the
National Agricultural Library, and the National Library of Medicine to
the RDA Test Coordinating Committee”
(http://www.nlm.nih.gov/tsd/cataloging/RDA_Executives_statement.pdf),
OCLC is beginning a process to determine how best to proceed in the
integration of RDA practices into WorldCat. The current OCLC policy
statement on RDA cataloging, which has been in effect since the
publication of RDA in June 2010, during the RDA national testing period
of October through December 2010, and remains in effect, is located at
http://www.oclc.org/us/en/rda/policy.htm.

Later this year, OCLC intends to issue a discussion paper regarding the
possible future of bibliographic records with mixed practices in
WorldCat. The purpose of this paper will be to generate as wide a
discussion as possible among members of the OCLC cooperative in order to
work toward a consensus about the policies that will work best both for
the cataloging community and for library users. Because the U.S.
implementation date for RDA has been announced as no sooner than January
2013, there is ample time to consider thoughtfully what best practices
might help to carry cooperative cataloging into the long term future.
OCLC staff members will be participating in three task groups on RDA
formed by the PCC (http://www.loc.gov/catdir/pcc/); the work of those
task groups will also help to inform these most important discussions.

In the meantime, while the process of preparing and discussing that
paper is taking place, OCLC requests that libraries continue to abide by
the policies outlined in the current policy statement. Please remember
that duplicate records within WorldCat are not permitted and will be
merged if found. In addition, please do not edit the master records to
change them from RDA to AACR2 or from AACR2 to RDA unless permitted
under the policies set forth.

Please feel free to share this statement.

Cynthia M. Whitacre

Manager, WorldCat Quality & Partner Content Dept.

WorldCat Quality Management Division

OCLC

800-848-5878, ext. 6183

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