Journal Entry Week 6: Resource Description

Resource description is can be defined as the process of describing a resource or an item for easy access to the user. With this said the resource should be accurate and organized so that users can categorize resources between databases. Due to the fact that there is consistency in cataloguing, two standards of cataloguing have been introduced. These standards are known as the Resource Description and Access (RAD) and Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules (AACR). Both of these standards have their advantages and disadvantages.

In comparison, I feel as if the RDA is clearer and better. According to JSC Secretary (2009), RDA is a flexible framework for describing resources and is independent of encoding schemas. RDA is a newer standard and was developed for the online environment. According to Zabel & Miller (2011), RDA was designed for online environment, is more principles-based, and better accommodates formats other than print. AACR is a standard used that was designed before online environments. In our technologically advancing world, AACR would not be a suitable standard for an online environment. I found more difficulties in reading AACR due to the fact that I found some trouble in terms of understanding what all the abbreviations meant since some of them were in English and others were in Latin. Tillet (2011) states that despite being altered over the years, the lack of logical structure and individual rules make AACR2 an illogical choice for 21st century cataloguing. Nevertheless, RDA helps users navigate through library resources easier as it is more appropriate for the online environment.

References

JSC Secretary, (July, 2009). Joint Steering Committee for development of RDA. Retrieved on August, 9^th, 2013, from http://www.rda-jsc.org/rdaimpl.html

Zabel, D.& Miller, L. (2011). Resource description and access (RDA): An introduction for reference librarians. Reference and User Services Quarterly, 50(3), 216-222. Retrieved on August, 2^nd, 2013, from http://rusa.metapress.com/content/wrg1501514721g7n/