Participation in the U.S. RDA Test Program Helped Transform Work Habits at George Washington University Libraries

TLDR: In this article, the authors share the growing pains that the George Washington University Libraries Resource Description Group staff experienced when they participated in the U.S. Resource Description and Access (RDA) Test Program.

Abstract: This article shares the growing pains that the George Washington University Libraries Resource Description Group staff experienced when they participated in the U.S. Resource Description and Access (RDA) Test Program. The steep learning curve that was required to apply RDA in order to meet the requirements of the test presented challenges for the trainers as well as the staff. Satisfaction finally came during a Webinar when they overcame and gained a greater confidence in their ability in adapting themselves to the sweeping changes in the world of metadata by being part of the history-making RDA Test program. [Supplementary materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Cataloging & Classification Quarterly for the following free supplemental resources: RDA terminology quiz and RDA training exercise]