Here are the current record counts for the RDA master authority file:

· 6,224 total records

o 1,482 new RDA “040 $e rda”

o 4,742 AACR2 with 7XX x4

· Our system is set up to copy AACR2 authorities with 7XX x4 into the RDA master authority file each week that we receive updates from LC

Since there are AACR2 authorities that exist with 7XX 2^nd indicator ‘4’ (7XX x4), we copied these as well into the RDA master authority file. However, only clients that choose to have their RDA bib headings matched against RDA authorities will have these 7XX x4 searched. These same 7XX x4 authorities will continue to exist in the AACR2 master authority file right alongside the RDA master authority file, but our system will not currently search them within the AACR2 authority master file. This may seem like an odd choice, but during the testing phase the system is set up to treat the RDA 7XX x4 authorities differently through a bit of code manipulation that we cannot just as easily do with the AACR2 7XX x4 authorities.

The testing phase should continue from now until the end of 2010, followed by a period of deliberation. We have 4 options in place (or really 3 ½) and want to make sure these are working as intended before we begin adding in new options. It is also very likely that following the testing phase there will be no need for 7XX x4 fields to delineate whether an authority heading is RDA, but we should know more along those lines in the future.

Going forward, I plan to write separate explanations for each option and post those to the listserv. We have had some fruitful conversations on our side and from our clients regarding some of these options and so would like to clarify and simplify where possible.

As always, we welcome your input on our listserv or blog, email or phone.

Thanks,

Nate Cothran - nate@bslw.com

Vice President, Authority Control

Backstage Library Works

533 E 1860 S Provo, UT 84606

(v) 800.288.1265 x697 | (f) 801.356.8220 | www.bslw.com