6JSC/ALA/Discussion/1 - Machine-Actionable Data Elements in RDA: Discussion Paper (2013) [and responses]

Abstract

In 2012, ALA submitted a discussion paper to the JSC (6JSC/ALA/17, Machine-Actionable Data Elements in RDA Chapter 3: Discussion Paper [2012]) developed by the Task Force on Machine-Actionable Data Elements in RDA Chapter 3. In general, the JSC and its constituent bodies agreed that the issues raised in the discussion paper were worth further exploration, and offered some comments and concerns. ALA agreed to continue to work on the concept of adding structured, machine-actionable definitions for the Extent and Dimensions elements and to investigate developing a proposal to add Extent of Expression to the RDA element set. To carry out this effort, ALA reconstituted its Task Force on Machine-Actionable Data: Francis Lapka (chair), John Attig, Dominique Bourassa, Anne Champagne, Karen Coyle, Gordon Dunsire, Diane Hillmann, Peter Rolla, Mark Scharff, and Amanda Sprochi. After reviewing the responses to 6JSC/ALA/17 and studying the FRBR concept of element of expression, the Task Force created an interim report and presented it to ALA’s Committee on Cataloging: Description and Access at ALA Annual 2013. This discussion paper describes the work of the Task Force during the past year, and proposes a number of questions for JSC comment and discussion.