Propose a revision to Resource Description and Access

Any library may propose a revision to Resource Description and Access (RDA) through the Canadian Committee on Cataloguing (CCC). The formal review process begins at the national level and may progress to the international level.

Before you propose a revision

Discuss your idea with colleagues in the cataloguing community to see whether the problem is a shared concern. Keep in mind that changes may be costly and there may be other ways to address the problem.

Considerations for successful proposals

Proposals are more likely to be successful if you show that the revisions:

  • are necessary and appropriate changes for the cataloguing instructions (rather than being addressed by local interpretations, manuals or RDA workflows)
  • are problems that are frequent or common enough to need specific mention
  • clarify, simplify, or remove inconsistencies in the instructions
  • follow the general principles and other parts of the standard
  • consider if other instructions would need changes and whether those changes would be acceptable
  • consider if changes are needed to existing bibliographic records, systems and the MARC 21 format
  • consider financial implications of the changes for libraries using RDA

Propose a revision

  • Send an email (clearly indicating your name and organization) with the proposed revision to one of these members:
    • any CCC member for general revisions
    • the consulting organization member, representing the area of cataloguing related to the revision (for example, send proposals about legal material to the Canadian Association of Law Libraries)
  • Describe the proposal in the subject line and, where applicable, give the rule numbers affected by the proposed revision
    • Example: Proposed revision to RDA, instruction 6.15, "Medium of performance"
  • Begin with a clear explanation of the problem that the revision aims to address and a reason for the proposed change
  • Include an assessment of the effect of the proposed change
  • Show the proposed changes to the text of the latest edition
  • Explain any related changes that would be needed for other instructions

After you submit a proposal

The process may take a year or more to ensure broad consultation. The CCC will advise you on the progress of your proposal once it is accepted for consideration.

  • The CCC member consults with their constituency and decides whether or not to endorse the proposal for broader discussion
  • The CCC member sends the proposal to all CCC members who also consult with their own constituent organizations
  • The CCC representatives on North American RDA Committee (NARDAC) present the proposal to NARDAC
  • The NARDAC representative presents the proposal to the international RDA Steering Committee (RSC)
  • The RSC members discuss the revision proposal with their own constituencies