What is the Official RDA Standard?

October 18, 2025 •

4 min read

RDA, or Resource Description and Access, is a major international cataloguing standard and the preferred descriptive standard for contributions to numerous library databases worldwide. The official RDA is the current iteration of this standard, designed for the digital world and incorporating a modernized framework for resource description. It replaces the earlier Original RDA standard to better align with 21st-century technology and linked data principles.

Quick Summary

Official RDA is an international standard for cataloging that provides instructions and guidelines for describing information resources. It replaces the original standard and is designed to create metadata that is more functional outside of library catalogs and is compatible with emerging digital technologies.

Key Points

Official RDA Defined: Official RDA (Resource Description and Access) is the current international cataloging standard, providing guidelines for creating metadata for information resources in the digital environment.
Replaces Original RDA: The Official RDA standard replaces the older Original RDA, incorporating updates and a modernized framework to better suit 21st-century technologies.
Based on IFLA LRM: It is based on the IFLA Library Reference Model (LRM), an update to the previous FRBR, FRAD, and FRSAD models, which provides a more consolidated approach to bibliographic cataloging.
Embraces Linked Data: Official RDA fully incorporates linked data principles, using RDF (Resource Description Framework) to describe relationships between entities and making library data more interoperable on the web.
Focuses on End-Users: A core benefit of Official RDA is its focus on the end-user, with a design that makes it easier for people to find, identify, select, and obtain resources.
Modernizes Cataloging: It updates cataloging practices to effectively handle the volume and variety of modern resources, especially digital ones, moving away from the more print-centric rules of its predecessors.

Understanding the Evolution of RDA

Resource Description and Access (RDA) is a modern content standard used by libraries, archives, and other cultural heritage organizations to create metadata for information resources. It is the successor to the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, Second Edition (AACR2), a long-standing but increasingly outdated standard developed for card catalogs. RDA was first published online in 2010, marking a significant shift from the print-centric rules of its predecessor. The transition from AACR2 to RDA was driven by the need for a cataloging standard that could effectively describe the ever-growing volume and variety of digital resources, ensuring greater flexibility and integration with modern technologies like the Semantic Web.

The evolution didn't stop there. Over time, the RDA Toolkit underwent a significant restructure, resulting in what is now known as the "Official RDA." This revised version, built upon the updated IFLA Library Reference Model (LRM), was officially launched in December 2020 and provides a more comprehensive, user-focused framework for metadata creation. Official RDA moves away from some of the Anglo-American traditions to become a more flexible, truly international standard. It was developed with the end-user in mind, aiming to make resource discovery and access more intuitive and to allow for better integration of library data with external metadata communities.

Key Differences Between Original RDA and Official RDA

While both standards serve the same core purpose of describing information resources, there are several key distinctions between the Original RDA and its Official successor. The most significant change is the underlying conceptual model. Original RDA was based on the FRBR, FRAD, and FRSAD models, whereas Official RDA is based on the consolidated IFLA Library Reference Model (LRM). This shift led to a reorganization of the standard, affecting its structure and terminology.

The Impact of Linked Data

Official RDA places a much stronger emphasis on the principles of linked data, a critical component for integrating library data into the wider web ecosystem. While Original RDA acknowledged linked data, the Official version was designed from the ground up to be compatible with these principles, using RDF (Resource Description Framework) vocabulaires to describe entities and their relationships. This makes library metadata more interoperable and functional outside of traditional library catalogs.

Official RDA's New Entities and Elements

The Official version is organized around 13 core entities, replacing the previous entity structure. This new organization, based on the IFLA LRM, provides a more logical and robust framework for describing resources. The guidance is also more explicit about how to handle different attributes and relationships, providing a more consistent approach for catalogers.

Official RDA Implementation and Future

Official RDA is continuously undergoing further development through a cooperative international process. Its rollout and implementation are being coordinated by various national and international library standards bodies. The transition requires training for catalogers and changes to library systems, but it positions libraries for the future by making their data more accessible on the web and more adaptable to new technologies.

Comparison Table: Original RDA vs. Official RDA


Feature	Original RDA (2010-2017)	Official RDA (December 2020 onward)
Underlying Conceptual Model	Based on FRBR, FRAD, FRSAD models.	Based on the IFLA Library Reference Model (LRM).
Linked Data Emphasis	Acknowledged but not fully integrated; less focused on native linked data compatibility.	Built from the ground up to be compatible with linked data principles (using RDF vocabulaires).
Organization	Organized in chapters based on types of resources.	Reorganized based on 13 core entities derived from the IFLA LRM.
Flexibility	Retained more Anglo-American traditions; less flexible for global application.	More international, flexible, and extensible framework for describing all resources.
Legacy Data	Maintained more backward compatibility with AACR2 records.	Designed for forward compatibility and to enhance the functionality of new metadata, while requiring some changes to existing workflows.
Encoding	Encoding schemes were less standardized and often followed AACR2 patterns.	Utilizes new MARC tags (336, 337, 338) to clearly separate content, media, and carrier types.
End-User Focus	Focused on creating a descriptive cataloging standard.	Explicitly designed with the end-user in mind to improve resource discovery and access.

Impact and Future of the Official RDA

The adoption of Official RDA represents a crucial step for libraries and other information institutions. It helps to ensure that bibliographic data remains relevant and accessible in the digital age. By providing a flexible, international framework, Official RDA facilitates a more seamless integration of library catalogs with external data systems, leveraging the power of linked data. This transition allows catalogers to describe both traditional and modern resources more effectively and consistently. The end result is a more robust and user-friendly experience, making it easier for people to find, identify, select, and obtain the resources they need. Ongoing development and refinement of the standard are managed by the RDA Steering Committee (RSC), ensuring it continues to evolve with technological advancements.

In conclusion, the official RDA is not merely a revision but a modernization of the resource description standard, designed to meet the demands of a digital-first world. It enables greater interoperability, user-friendliness, and efficiency in metadata creation, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of cataloging. Its successful implementation will be key to the continued relevance of library data and information access for generations to come.

Visit the ALA RDA Toolkit for more official information on Resource Description & Access.

Frequently Asked Questions

In the context of libraries and information science, RDA stands for "Resource Description and Access." It is a cataloging standard that provides guidelines for describing information resources.

RDA was developed to replace the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, Second Edition (AACR2). This change was necessary to create a standard better suited for describing the variety of digital and analog resources available today.

Original RDA was the version first released in 2010 and was based on FRBR models. Official RDA is the restructured and redesigned version, launched in 2020, which is based on the newer IFLA Library Reference Model (LRM) and has a stronger focus on linked data and user-centric design.

The RDA Steering Committee (RSC) is responsible for the ongoing development and maintenance of the RDA standard. This is a collaborative international effort to ensure the standard remains relevant and functional.

Official RDA benefits libraries by providing a flexible and robust framework for describing all types of resources. It improves metadata interoperability, helps integrate library data into the wider digital environment, and enhances the user experience for finding information.

No, RDA is a standard for describing all types of resources, including both digital and analog formats. Its design is particularly well-suited for the complex nature of digital resources but provides a consistent framework for all materials.

The Official RDA Toolkit, which contains the complete standard, is available via subscription through the American Library Association (ALA) website. The official version can be accessed at access.rdatoolkit.org.