NLNZ approach to resource description

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RDA (Resource Description and Access) is the preferred descriptive cataloguing standard of the National Library of New Zealand.

Consider these questions before beginning to describe your resource.

Only move on to choosing the appropriate MAP and applying RDA guidance and policies when you’ve made decisions about what the resource in hand is.

Questions to start your thinking	Resources to help make decisions
Is it a static work or successive work or integrating work?	Work: extension plan
If it is a static work, how many works are embodied in this manifestation?	NLNZ guidance: Aggregate manifestations
What kind of content is it? Does it require format-specific knowledge to describe this?	Expression: content type
Does it have more than one unit, or any other bits and pieces?	Manifestation: mode of issuance
Is this manifestation a unit of a larger manifestation?	NLNZ guidance: Describing units of larger manifestations NLNZ guidance: Static works in series
How do I describe this manifestation?	Serials vs monographs or integrating resources decisions page [internal NLNZ staff document]
Is there an existing MARC bibliographic record for this resource? Can I use this record, or do I need a new record? How will I encode this?	NLNZ guidance. Manifestation entity boundary NLNZ encoding. When to create a new MARC bibliographic record NLNZ encoding

The expected workflow for describing a resource using Official RDA is:

Determine the appropriate Metadata Application Profile (MAP) for the resource you are describing
Work from that MAP to determine the elements to record
Follow the link to each applicable element from the MAP, determine the value to record for that element using the element page options, NLNZ PSs and supporting documentation
Consider elements not included in a MAP which may be relevant to the resource being described.
Create local authority records in the NLNZ database to describe the Work, Expression, Person or Corporate body entities associated with the resource, if:
- the resource is in scope for NZNB, and,
- the element you have chosen has guided you to record a new value of authorised access point for the entity
Update descriptions for related resources if required - see NLNZ guidance: updating existing MARC21 bibliographic records in the NLNZ database.

MAPs (Metadata Application Profiles)

Cataloguers should always use the appropriate MAP to guide the choice of elements to use when describing a resource.

Supporting documentation