Previous MSc Theses

"RDA in Europe: Implementation and Perception Of the New Cataloguing Standard." D. P. Ducheva. D. Pennington. Department of Computer and Information Sciences, University of Strathclyde. 2016. Download PDF (BibTeX) ILS

Abstract:
This dissertation explored the implementation and perception of the Resource Description and Access (RDA) cataloguing standard among European national institutions. In doing that, it referred to the development and implementation of RDA among the Anglo- American libraries where the roots of this new standard lie. Most of the libraries that have implemented RDA so far are from English-speaking countries. However, RDA was conceived to serve as an international standard and efforts were put towards its internationalisation. Initially, the uptake has been slower in non-Anglophone institutions but in recent years, there has been an increasing interest in RDA across different languages and cultures.

In Europe, most libraries have shown interest in RDA and its potential implementation but few case studies have emerged about the implementation of RDA among European institutions. This is undoubtedly due in part to the few organisations that have actually undertaken such a project as well as the long time that it takes to complete one. Thus, the dissertation examined the spread and application of RDA throughout Europe both by looking at the available literature and by conducting interviews with professionals at European national libraries. It compared the adoption and use of the new standard by non- English-speaking institutions to those in an Anglo-American setting and examined the undergoing internationalisation of RDA in terms of its implementation.

The results show little difference in the implementation issues and attitudes encountered by Anglo-American and European institutions. There is less evidence of collaborative implementation in Europe than in the United States. Then again, European institutions demonstrate a higher level of involvement and interest in the development of RDA. Within Europe, there is also a stronger desire to work towards RDA interoperability and alignment with the cultural heritage sector. Finally, the European implementation drives forward the internationalisation of RDA by actively seeking solutions to the issues in the new standard arising from the cultural and linguistic diversity.

The results aim to contribute to a better understanding of the reasons for and expected benefits of implementing RDA in Europe. Furthermore, the results highlight the issues faced by the European institutions and the unique perspectives that emerge from implementing RDA in different languages and amid different cultures.