Yesterday's RDA Toolkit Essentials webinar generated quite a few questions and there were several that we were not able to address within the allotted time. So we are using the blog to both share the questions and our answers.

Question: Can we have a hybrid access method, i.e. IP authentication and also username and password? [asked by Gerard]
Answer: Yes, every institutional account has an Account ID and Password regardless of whether your institution uses IP or referring URL authentication. So when you are outside of your IP range you can always log into your RDA Toolkit account with you Account ID and Password.

Question: How do you use the Core and Basic filters? What do you click? [asked by Gail]
Answer: The Core Element and Basic Instructions filters are found in the View Text menu. The view text icon looks like this...

Question: What is the difference between "Core" and "Basic" ... is Basic really Core plus? [asked by Tom]
Answer: Basic instructions are those instructions identified by the JSC as basic to cataloging in RDA. Core Element Instructions are those instructions for elements identified as core elements of RDA. Yes, Basic Instructions build on the Core Element filter to give you all the instructions needed for basic RDA cataloging.

Question: Is there any concordance table for terms between RDA and AACR2? [asked by Basma]
Answer: The most complete table comparing RDA terminology to that of AACR2 is found in the RDA: Module 1 of the Library of Congress RDA Training Materials. There is a a very useful table in the Unit 2 of the first module.

Question: What is your opinion of hybrid records? In other words, is there any advantage, before we go to full-on RDA cataloging, to adding 336, 337, and 338 fields (RDA content, media, and carrier) to AACR2 MARC records? Or would such hybrid records cause more problems than they solve? To make it clearer, I'm talking about original cataloging here. Also, possibly, adding these MARC fields locally to exported OCLC records. [asked by Rebecca]
Answer: Decisions regarding the creation and processing of hybrid records is something that each institution will have to make on their own. We recommend that you review the Report of the PCC Task Group on Hybrid Bibliographic Records, as you evaluate this issue for your institution. This report calls for the formation of a successor task group to develop specific guidelines for hybrid records. That group has formed, and its report is due to the PCC in October.

Question: Can you remove/delete saved searches or workflows, etc.? [asked by Karen]
Answer: Yes, any content that you create, such as workflows, bookmarks or bookmarks, can be managed through your My Profile page. You can delete any of the content or simply edit the content.

Question: I have an institutional membership with 2 concurrent users, how many profiles can be setup? [asked by Andrea]
Answer: You can create an unlimited number of profiles. Your number of concurrent users has no impact on the number of user profile you may create. With an Institutional account, users can create their own profiles or you as the administrator can create any number of User Profiles to associate with your account.

Question: Is there a workflow you would particularly recommend for teaching yourself RDA cataloguing? [asked by Anna]
Answer: We recommend using the LC Staff workflows as a starting point, especially the Simple Book workflow. For a first attempt to catalog in RDA, these workflows will guide you step by step through the cataloging of a straightforward item.

Question: I want to ask about the translation of RDA to other languages, especially Arabic. [asked by Taha]
Answer: German and French language translations of RDA are in a very advanced state, though we cannot commit to an exact date that they will be available on RDA Toolkit. Spanish and Chinese translations are also underway. As for an Arabic translation, we have had talks with several groups about this subject, but no agreement has been finalized.

Question: Can our account administrator include our proxy address so we can also access from outside our IP ranges via proxy authentication? If so, how does the administrator do this? [asked by Rick]
Answer: Yes, your proxy server IP can be included in the IP range for your account. Your IT staff will have to configure your proxy server to recognize your users and pass them through the RDA Toolkit. If necessary, you can update the IP ranges associated with your account to include the IP of your proxy service using the RDA Toolkit admin system or simply email us to update your account.

Question: Is there a place on the toolkit explaining the search options (such as RDA using * for wildcard)? [asked by Vivian]
Answer: Yes, the Help Guide has an entire section devoted to conducting searches on RDA Toolkit. This section can be easily accessed from the Advanced Search menu by clicking the blue magnifying glass icon (the one with an "i") next to the query box. Additionally, there is a persistent link to the Help Guide at the bottom of the left-hand column in RDA Toolkit.

Question: When there is an update, how are we notified? [asked by Rosie]
Answer:There are two types of revisions that occur to RDA--FastTrack and RDA Updates. RDA Updates are expected annually, typically in April, and FastTrack changes occur periodically throughout the year. Both types of revisions are posted to the site via an RDA Toolkit release. We announce an impending release to RDA Toolkit and its content on the first Tuesday of the month of the release. The announcement will come via our Development blog. You can follow us via RSS feed. Each release is posted to the site by the end of the day on the second Tuesday of the month. We will also promote the release via Facebook, Twitter, and our newsletter.

Question: Are there any good user guides to RDA that you recommend? [asked by Jennifer]
Answer: Chris Oliver's Introducing RDA: A Guide to the Basics is a great intro to RDA cataloging. Another useful guide is Practical Cataloging: AACR2, RDA and MARC21 by Anne Welsh and Sue Batley.

Question: What is the best way for class use of 25 students in an LIS program? [asked by Yan]
Answer: LIS programs may get free access to RDA Toolkit for use by faculty and students. The only requirement is that your institution has already established a Institutional subscription to RDA Toolkit. If your institution does not have a current subscription, your LIS program will then need purchase a minimal Institutional subscription in order to get access for your faculty and students. Contact us at rdatoolkit@ala.org for more information.

Question: Why is RDA important? We all have one degree or another of cataloging knowledge and skill; and in my case using a cataloging system that is rather limited - I would expect the vendor will keep me posted to what degree I can implement RDA level of detail. [asked by Peter]
Answer: That's a question that has been intensely debated on the cataloging listservs and in cataloging departments around the world. We suggest that you review the documentation on the JSC website in regard to why RDA has been developed and the report of the U.S. RDA Test Coordinating Committee in regard to why implementation has been recommended.

Question: It would make sense to me to have language options at login or in one's profile. [asked by Lorraine Jackson]
Answer: Once non-English language versions are available on RDA Toolkit, users will be able to set their language preference through their profile. Administrators can set the language default by either configuring the account to auto recognize the user's browser language setting or directly setting the default language for the account. However, once logged into a user profile the personal preference will supersede the account admin setting.

Question: LC are adopting RDA on the 31st March 2013, but the next major rewrite will be in April 2013. Is this correct?[asked by Christina]
Answer: Yes, the Library of Congress's RDA implementation date is March 31, 2013. The next update of RDA instructions is scheduled for April 2013, however, we would not characterize an update as a "major rewrite." RDA, like AACR2 before it, will have periodic updates and revisions that are based on thoroughly evaluated proposals from the cataloging community. For more information of the RDA revision process, please visit the JSC website.

In addition to RDA Updates and FastTack changes, RDA is going through a rewording process that is often mischaracterized as a rewrite. This rewording is intended to make the current RDA instructions clearer to understand without changing cataloging practice. The rewording is still in process, and is expected to be releasaed chapter by chapter in RDA Toolkit starting in Dec 2012 and completing by summer 2013.