Practical Cataloguing AACR, RDA and MARC21

Citation

Tarulli, L. (2012), "Practical Cataloguing AACR, RDA and MARC21", Library Review, Vol. 61 No. 7, pp. 543-544. https://doi.org/10.1108/00242531211288308

During this time of transition in the cataloguing profession where talk of new cataloguing standards and descriptions is at its peak, Practical Cataloguing is a welcome addition to the publications available to professionals for exploring AACR, RDA and MARC 21. As set out in the preface, Practical Cataloguing is intended to bridge the gap between two publications: John Bowman's Essential Cataloguing, and Resource Description and Access, a North American textbook by Shawne Miksa set to be published in the UK in 2012.

Upon review of the text, this publication delivers its mandate. Welsh and Batley do not seek to replace the many cataloguing texts on the market, but to complement and supplement the abundance of cataloguing and theoretical texts that provide instruction on cataloguing standards and practices. This book is almost like a cataloguing refresher course and handbook which provides cataloguing professionals with information on current standards and prepares them for RDA and its implementation. For example, Practical Cataloguing provides a wealth of information throughout its chapters exploring topics that range from the introduction to catalogues and cataloguing standards, to the FRBRization of catalogues, descriptive and bibliographic elements, and detailed chapters on RDA. The content is then rounded out by a chapter dedicated to examples of all of the information introduced and described throughout Practical Cataloguing.

The format and layout of the book also assist in the use of this book as a reference guide or handbook. The reader first notices that the length of the book is entirely manageable and will not demand a significant investment of time. The font is clean, with plenty of white space to allow for notes in the margins and examples for the professional to review at his/her leisure. Written in a conversational and easy tone, this book is an accessible guide into the exploration of the cataloguing field and the changing standards and practices that lie ahead.

While this entire publication is informative and helpful to the practicing cataloguer and cataloguing librarian, Chapter 8 is noteworthy and should be addressed in more detail. Chapter 8, appropriately titled “Practical cataloguing: bringing it all together” aims to address the implementation of RDA into cataloguing practices and provides suggestions for managers and cataloguers in preparing for these transitions in cataloguing practices. Especially refreshing is the realistic and practical approach that Welsh and Batley take in discussing the future implementation of RDA and how practising professionals can prepare.

Throughout this publication, Practical Cataloguing provides thoughtful exploration into cataloguing topics that any experienced or novice cataloguing professional will find enjoyable and informative. Practical Cataloguing sets out to meet the needs of two markets; trained cataloguing professionals who are in need of refreshing their knowledge on cataloguing to meet the changes to standards which are forthcoming and professionals currently undergoing training so that they have an understanding of the cataloguing practices of yesterday and today, while being trained in the standards of tomorrow. For any cataloguer or cataloguing manager, Practical Cataloguing will be a welcome addition to their professional literature collection.