Since Oliver’s guide was first published in 2010, thousands of LIS students, records managers, and catalogers and other library professionals have relied on its clear, plainspoken explanation of RDA: Resource Description and Access as their first step towards becoming acquainted with the cataloging standard. Now, reflecting the changes to RDA after the completion of the 3R Project, Oliver brings her Special Report up to date. This essential primer

• concisely explains what RDA is, its basic features, and the main factors in its development;
• describes RDA’s relationship to the international standards and models that continue to influence its evolution;
• provides an overview of the latest developments, focusing on the impact of the 3R Project, the results of aligning RDA with IFLA’s Library Reference Model (LRM), and the outcomes of internationalization;
• illustrates how information is organized in the post 3R Toolkit and explains how to navigate through this new structure; and
• discusses how RDA continues to enable improved resource discovery both in traditional and new applications, including the linked data environment.

Winner of several prestigious honors, including the 2014 ABC-CLIO Greenwood Award for the Best Book in Library Literature, the first edition of this clear and comprehensive handbook has become an essential resource for catalogers, LIS students, and cataloging instructors. Now, in this second edition, Maxwell explains the changes to RDA: Resource Description and Access brought about by 3R, and brings his handbook fully in line with all the new developments. Designed to interpret and explain RDA, this resource illustrates the cataloging standard for every type of information format. From books to electronic materials to music and beyond, Maxwell

• explains the alignment of the new RDA with the IFLA’s Library Reference Model (LRM), offering value to library and cultural heritage communities;
• incorporates the changes made to the RDA Toolkit after the completion of the 3R Project that allow for greater personalization and accessibility;
• addresses the new structural changes to RDA that allow for greater flexibility and reuse;
• explores the new emphasis on relationships between entities and what it means for RDA users; and
• provides abundant sample records to illustrate RDA principles.