In a few of my columns in the past few years, I have "seconded" the encouragement of various OLAC Presidents in asking members to consider becoming more involved in OLAC. In other columns, I have mentioned how impressed I always find myself whenever I think about the kinds of contributions of OLAC members make--to OLAC itself, as well as to wider cataloging ventures. In a recent column I suggested that dedicated OLAC catalogers should consider enhancing the pool of experience in such ventures with their specialist knowledge and experience. One example I gave for a way to become involved was to volunteer to work (somehow!) with the AACR3 drafts.

Since that time, AACR3 has morphed into RDA. Those who went to ALA in Chicago had the opportunity to attend various captivating meetings explaining why this change was made and trying to give an idea of the direction the cataloging rules are taking. Even though this move from the concept of AACR to RDA happened relatively quickly, this Newsletter issue already reflects the change in various places. The first place to look for it is in John Attig's MARBI and in Greta Groat's CC:DA reports. The reference is more subtle in other reports. For instance, RDA is mentioned in a few places in the CAPC minutes and some of the report reflects the work a CAPC Task Group will be doing on RDA (the "RDA Examples Project").

The Q&A column by Jay Weitz also brings up RDA, but less directly. In his answer to one question, he eloquently speaks of one of the prominent reasons why the movement towards changing the rules is so important--to make guidance more adaptive to changing formats, due to constantly evolving technology within the universe of our bibliographic entities (this is my articulation of the issue--his wording is much better). That reason alone hits most OLAC members straight between the eyes! Of course, as always, Jay's column is full of insight into the rules and their reasons; I encourage everyone to read all his topics very closely--and then to keep issues close at hand to consult for the excellent practical advice found in them.

Finally, not mentioned in this issue (because it came from a closed session), is the fact that RDA arose in the Board meeting when we discussed the theme of the OLAC 2006 Conference. News of RDA had already captured the imagination of so many people that it was decided to use it somehow as a focus of the Conference. (By now, of course, OLAC has received an online message about this from President Lubas; furthermore, she gives more information about it in her message opposite from this column, so I know it is all right to mention this one aspect of the Board's closed session here.) We are very excited about the RDA focus at the Conference and hope that OLAC members feel the same. Expect to hear more about Conference plans in the months to come!