RDA Training, Continuing Education, and Implementation

Presenters

Dr. Jung-ran Park, Associate Professor, College of Computing and Informatics, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA

Dr. Christopher C. Yang, Associate Professor, College of Computing and Informatics, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 

Dr. Yuji Tosaka, Cataloging/Metadata Librarian, The College of New Jersey, Ewing, NJ

Presentation Outline

• Key findings from our online survey on RDA training and implementation prior to LC’s implementation of RDA

• Preliminary analysis from our follow-up interviews on RDA training and implementation issues

• Our new three-year IMLS grant project on cataloging and metadata continuing education
  

Online RDA Survey

“RDA: Training and Continuing Education Needs in Academic Libraries,” Journal of Education for Library and Information Science 55 (2014), 3–25.

RDA Knowledge

• More knowledgeable since RDA’s initial release but not yet familiar with a wide range of RDA topics

• Substantial divide in RDA knowledge between respondents in research universities and 4-year colleges and universities

RDA Training Experience

• Online training resources were the most important source of RDA training

• Divide between research universities and 4-year colleges and universities
• Less training in 4-year institutions
• Shortage of internal resources or expertise to support local cataloging training

RDA Training Time and Institutional Support

• Divide between research universities and 4-year colleges and universities
• RDA training time estimated most frequently for librarians
• Research universities: 31–40 hours
• 4-year institutions: 10 hours or less
  

Topics for Future RDA Training

Preferred Training Formats

• In-house, local training rated as the most preferred format for future RDA training

• Strong support for self-study options, most often when used to supplement face-to-face training
• Convenience and ease of access are the key
• Library school courses were the least preferred choice

Divide in Preferred Training Formats

Follow-up RDA Interview

RDA Implementation

Positive RDA Responses

• Transparency to users (e.g., take-what-you-see principle, discontinuation of Latin words or abbreviations)

"Disappointment"

• Lack of a “set of radically simplified instructions and concepts”

• Gaps between the underlying FRBR theory and current cataloging environments

• Poorly written instructions, inconsistency in RDA guidelines, bias toward English language materials
  

New IMLS Grant Project

“Building a Workforce of Next Generation Librarians for 21st Century Global Information Access” (2014–2017)

• Goal: To make effective self-directed learning resources more readily accessible, especially on emerging standards and technologies that play essential roles in managing information in today’s evolving environments

IMLS Grant Project Team

• Dr. Jung-ran Park (PI), Associate Professor, College of Computing and Informatics, Drexel University

• Dr. Christopher C. Yang, (co-PI) Associate Professor, College of Computing and Informatics, Drexel University

• Dr. Yuji Tosaka (co-PI), Cataloging/Metadata Librarian, The College of New Jersey

Grant Project Objective (1)

• Create a searchable digital repository that will serve as a clearinghouse providing information about continuing education resources
• New and emerging standards and technologies: e.g., Semantic Web and Linked Data related topics including RDF, OWL, Simple Knowledge Organization System (SKOS), and Semantic Web applications in library catalogs
• RDA-related topics during the current transition period
  

Grant Project Objective (2)

• Develop our digital project repository into a collaborative virtual platform for communication and resource sharing
• Promote a social network and collaboration among practitioners, educators, students, and other stakeholders in cataloging and metadata communities
  

Grant Objective (3)

• Create several open-source webinar series in the area of emerging standards and technologies
• Provide working professionals and students with self-paced learning opportunities to build in-depth knowledge and skills for managing digital information
• Develop standard course design and evaluation criteria to serve as a seedbed for future online learning resources development
  

Planned Web Survey

• To perform a detailed needs assessment and evaluate desired resources, services, and features for our project repository

Please respond to our survey!

IMLS Grant Project Contact Information

Dr. Jung-ran Park (College of Computing and Informatics, Drexel University)
E-mail: jung-ran.park@ischool.drexel.edu

Dr. Christopher C. Yang (College of Computing and Informatics, Drexel University)
E-mail: chris.yang@drexel.edu

Dr. Yuji Tosaka (The College of New Jersey)
E-mail: tosaka@tcnj.edu