The RDA Test and Hebraica Cataloging: Applying RDA in One Cataloging Community

TLDR: How two official Test catalogers who work with materials in Hebrew script sought solutions to cataloging questions and what they learned may guide other specialized communities called on to describe resources according to RDA.

Abstract: Research and academic libraries worldwide have substantial collections of materials in non-Western languages. Communities cataloging such esoteric materials expected that Resource Description and Access (RDA) would move away from the English/Anglo-American focus of Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, Second Edition (AACR2) and provide guidance for handling non-Western bibliographic and publishing practices. This article looks at the experiences of two official Test catalogers who work with materials in Hebrew script. How they sought solutions to cataloging questions and what they learned may guide other specialized communities called on to describe resources according to RDA. Input from catalogers will be needed to “internationalize” RDA.