About RDA
RDA: Resource Description and Access was developed by the RDA Steering Committee (RSC; formerly the Joint Steering Committee for Development of RDA) as part of its strategic plan (2005-2009) to replace the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, 2nd Edition Revised, a standard first published in 1978.
RDA is a package of data elements, guidelines, and instructions for creating library and cultural heritage resource metadata that are well-formed according to international models for user-focused linked data applications.
Details of how to subscribe to the RDA Toolkit can be found on the publisher's website.
RDA: Resource Description and Access is developed in a collaborative process led by the RDA Steering Committee. The RSC gratefully acknowledges the contributions of the many institutions and individuals who have generously given their time and energies to the creation of RDA.
The RDA text is strictly the copyright of the American Library Association (ALA), the Canadian Federation of Library Associations/La Fédération canadienne des associations de bibliothéques (CFLA) and the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP).
Translations must be licensed by the Copyright Holders. ALA Digital Publishing handles translation licenses on behalf of the Copyright Holders, and any enquiries should be sent to James Hennelly, Director, ALA Digital Reference.
The official version of the RDA standard is found at access.rdatoolkit.org. The original version of the Toolkit is found at original.rdatoolkit.org. Both versions are accessed through a Toolkit subscription. Free trial subscriptions remain on offer.
RDA Discussion list
RDA-L is one of several email lists for the discussion of RDA cataloging and other related topics. It may be accessed via ALA Connect at https://connect.ala.org/home. Instructions on how to subscribe to this list are on the RDA Toolkit blog.
RDA FAQs
Updated 21 February 2022