FROM THE EDITOR
Jain Fletcher
Spring is the time of renewal. Never has that theme occurred to me more for my March issue column than with this period in cataloging, which is well reflected in this issue. As we all know, catalogers are involved in a renewal of their cataloging principles and the way they are presented. The topic of RDA has become dominant ever since it was first introduced just prior to the 2005 ALA Annual Meeting in Chicago. RDA runs throughout this issue, in the CAPC minutes, in the Conference Reports and even, at times, as an underlying impetus for change in Jay’s "Cataloger’s Judgment" column.
The most exciting outcome of the RDA movement is that two of its major players have graciously agreed to give plenary addresses to OLAC at its 2006 Conference. (I cannot resist an extra gesture of my enthusiasm about that here: !!!!!!!.) By the time of the OLAC Conference, the topics currently being discussed will be even more entrenched and RDA will have just aired its Part 2 at the 2006 ALA Annual Meeting. By that time, RDA will be sufficiently ingrained that OLAC members will be able to bring better background knowledge to the Conference and come away from it that much better informed. I see OLAC’s opportunity to hear these speakers as a fabulous opening for members to become active participants in RDA, in any way possible. The RDA designers are well aware of OLAC’s particular expertise, and have already sought their counsel (via CAPC). I believe that OLAC’s advice will be sought more often in the future. I am certain that members are ready and willing to help, so that the materials they catalog may become better represented in the guidelines.
I have to admit that I am equally excited about the location for the Conference--Mesa, Arizona, or, the "Valley of the Sun", as the Conference Committee keeps reminding us. I am a huge fan of the entire Southwest as a vacation (exploration) destination and can attest that Fall is one of the best times to visit. My hope is that some of you will consider taking a vacation, either before or after the Conference, to see what the Southwest has to offer beyond the "Valley of the Sun".
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Last updated: April 1, 2006
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