Clearer descriptions

When you look for a DVD or book you search our online catalog, using words that describe the title, author, performer, or subject. Your search results depend on how ECRL's catalogers put the information into the database for each item as it comes in. A new standard is being embraced that uses more descriptive and commonly used words, and less non-intuitive abbreviations. The new standard is call RDA, or Resource Description Access, and replaces the venerated cataloging standard called AACR2.

ECRL's catalogers attended Minitex training this week to learn how to use RDA and plan to incorporate it into catalog records for new items as we buy them. Since ECRL has over 400,000 item records, you will still see the older terms for quite some time, but hopefully descriptions of new items will be easier to read.

Barbara Misselt, Director