Sample interview questions: Are you familiar with RDA (Resource Description and Access) and its impact on cataloging practices?
Sample answer:
Yes, as a Cataloging Librarian, I am well-versed in RDA (Resource Description and Access) and its significant impact on cataloging practices in the library profession. RDA is a set of guidelines that replaced the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules (AACR2) and revolutionized cataloging standards.
RDA has brought about several notable changes in cataloging practices. One of the key impacts is the shift from a rule-based approach to a principle-based approach. RDA focuses on describing resources based on their attributes and relationships, rather than following rigid rules. This change allows catalogers to provide more accurate and comprehensive descriptions of resources, enhancing user access and retrieval.
Another important impact of RDA is the emphasis on user needs and expectations. RDA encourages catalogers to consider user perspectives while describing and organizing resources. It promotes the inclusion of user-friendly elements such as clear language, standardized formats, and user-friendly terminology, making catalog records more user-centric.
Additionally, RDA promotes the use of controlled vocabularies and authorities for consistent and standardized access points. Catalogers are encouraged to use established controlled vocabularies like the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) and the Library of Congress Name Authority File (LCNAF). This ensures that users can easily navigate and discover related resources within the library’s catalog.
RDA also recognizes the importance of linking related resources. It encourages catalogers … Read full answer
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