1. RDA: Not just for the Big Boys
Implementing RDA in the Small Library/Consortia Environment
After all the years it took for it to get finished, the implementation of RDA is finally here. Well at least for LC. But what about those of us, like me, who work in a relatively small library using a cataloging system shared between 10 colleges and universities? How do we go about implementing RDA?
Damian Iseminger
February 26, 2013

2. Curiosity!
Actively participate in professional organizations like MOUG and MLA
Find a way to get the RDA Toolkit
First, you have to have some curiosity. Don’t just come to MOUG and MLA, but be prepared to participate and be involved! My active participation in professional organizations has helped me better understand RDA and has even let me influence the direction RDA has taken. Along with being involved, also consider getting yourself access to the RDA Toolkit. If you don’t want to pay for your own individual subscription, ask those that have the power for an institutional subscription and help them understand why you need it.

3. Take advantage of what’s out there
Cataloger’s Learning Workshop:
FRBR/FRAD
Using the RDA Toolkit
General RDA Cataloging
Special Formats Cataloging
NACO Training
ALA-ALCTS Past Webinars:
You also need to remember that you don’t need to reinvent the wheel when it comes to preparing for RDA. Take advantage of training materials that have already been prepared. The Cataloger’s Learning Workshop is a wonderful Web resource that has links to a treasure-trove of RDA training materials. Topics covered include FRBR/FRAD, how to use the RDA Toolkit, general cataloging in RDA, NACO training, and cataloging of special formats using RDA, including some presentations dealing specifically with music. The ALA-ALCTS web site is also an excellent resource for past webinars that dealt with RDA.

4. BE proactive Cultivate relationships with IT Offer your services
Go the extra mile
Next, you need to be proactive. You just can’t expect that RDA implementation will happen on its own or in its own time. If you want your shop to start using RDA, you will have to take the initiative. Starting last year I made our consortium systems support group aware of changes that were going to be happening due to RDA, especially concerning the upgrading of the authority file to be compliant with RDA. So far, everything is on track for the updating of our authority file. Next up on my agenda with systems is to help them figure out ways of automating changes that will need to be made to the bib file, such as converting headings to RDA that are not under authority control. I also took it upon myself to update our tag tables with all of the newly approved MARC fields, and made those available to everyone in the consortium. Yes, it was a lot of work, and maybe I could have waited for our ILS vendor to do the updating, but I think you have to be willing to get your hands dirty.

5. Share your enthusiasm! Talk with your colleagues
Provide RDA examples to your colleagues
Be the expert
You might also want try and get others at your shop excited about RDA, or at the very least not dreading the arrival of RDA. What was particularly helpful in this regard was that we actually started seeing RDA records this past year. What they did was alloy many of the fears, some irrational, that people had about RDA cataloging. In fact, I think it let people know that, “Yeah, maybe I can do this!”
I also found that it is helpful if you can position yourself as the RDA “go-to” person in your institution or consortium. That way you can be the person that people trust when it comes to any questions they might have about RDA.
But maybe the most important thing that you can do is…

6. START CATALOGING IN RDA!!!
You don’t need to be a rabbi of the RDA text. Just get in there and see what happens. Yes, you will make “mistakes”. Yes, you might even be frustrated. But I’m willing to bet there will be just as many if not more “a-ha!” moments than head-scratching ones.

7. We can do it!
In conclusion, I want to stress that implementing RDA is not just for LC or the big PCC libraries. This is something that smaller institutions can do as well. It just might take a little extra “umph” on our part to make it happen. Thank you.