OLAC Policy Statements

• OLAC PS for RDA Entities and Elements
• OLAC PS for RDA Guidance

OLAC Policy Statements

OLAC policy statements are based on OLAC Best Practices for Cataloging DVD-Video and Blu-ray Discs, Objects, Streaming Media, and Video Games Using the Original RDA Toolkit and MARC 21 . Policy statements use concise and consistent phrasing wherever possible, such as "Apply the option," "Do not apply the option for objects," "Always record for online resources," etc. OLAC policy statements may be found in the Prerecording or Recording area of an element to provide high-level guidance on when or how to use the element. Further policy statements may be found at Options and Condition Options, indicating whether or how a specific option should be followed. If an Option, Condition, or Condition Option does not have an associated OLAC policy statement, catalogers should use cataloger's judgement in deciding whether or how to apply it, in conjunction with additional resources. OLAC recommends consulting the 2023 OLAC Best Practices and LC-PCC policy statements (and metadata guidance documents) for all formats, and the PCC Provider-Neutral E-Resource MARC Record Guidelines for online resources.

The policy statements are supplemented by the OLAC Metadata Application Profile, a spreadsheet that provides additional information on using each RDA element covered by the OLAC Best Practices, as well as mappings to Original RDA rule numbers, MARC fields, and other information. The policy statements additionally reference the LC-PCC policy statements and Provider-Neutral Record guidelines throughout. These documents may be used for further guidance except when they are directly contradicted by OLAC policy statements.

The policy statements are meant to be an interpretation of the 2023 OLAC Best Practices, not a replacement for it, and catalogers are encouraged to use the policy statements, metadata application profile, and narrative best practices together.