Robert L. Maxwell is a Senior Librarian at the Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University, where he has chaired the Special Collections and Formats Catalog Department. He is the author of Maxwell’s Handbook for RDA (ALA Editions, 2013), which won the 2014 ABC-CLIO Award for Best Book in Library Literature and the ALCTS 2015 Outstanding Publication Award. He also won the ALA Highsmith Library Literature Award for 2002 for the book Maxwell’s Guide to Authority Work (ALA Editions, 2002) and is the author of a number of other books on cataloging published by the American Library Association. He has taught cataloging at Brigham Young University and the University of Arizona School of Information Resources and Library Science and has chaired the Bibliographic Standards Committee of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Section of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL). He has been a voting member of the ALCTS Committee on Cataloging: Description and Access, the body responsible for developing official ALA positions on additions to and revisions of RDA, and currently is the liaison between that committee and ALA’s Subject Analysis Committee. In addition to an M.L.S. from the University of Arizona, he holds a J.D. from Brigham Young University and a Ph.D. in classical languages and literatures from the University of Toronto.

Maxwell's Handbook for RDA: Explaining and Illustrating RDA: Resource Description and Access Using MARC21
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- Description
- Table of Contents
- About the Author
- Reviews
Winner of the 2014 ABC-CLIO Greenwood Award for the Best Book in Library Literature
Winner of the 2015 Association for Library Collections & Technical Services (ALCTS) Outstanding Publication Award
In this clear and comprehensive resource, cataloging expert Robert Maxwell brings his trademark practical commentary to bear on the new, unified cataloging standard. Designed to interpret and explain RDA: Resource Description and Access, this handbook illustrates and applies the new cataloging rules in the MARC21 environment for every type of information format. From books to electronic materials to music and beyond, Maxwell
- Explains the conceptual grounding of RDA, including FRBR and FRAD
- Addresses the nuances of how cataloging will, and won't, change in the MARC21 environment
- Shows catalogers how to create and work with authority records of persons, families, corporate bodies, geographic entities, works, and expressions
- Explores recording relationships, working with records of manifestations and items, and more
- Provides numerous sample records to illustrate RDA principles
A guided tour of the new standard from a respected authority, this essential handbook will help catalogers, LIS students, and cataloging instructors navigate RDA smoothly and find the information they need efficiently.
Examination copies are available for instructors who are interested in adopting this title for course use.
Appendixes
"Both seasoned and new catalogers alike should purchase this source. It is an indispensable resource as the community becomes more immersed in RDA cataloging."
— Technical Services Quarterly
"The text unmistakably shows the hand of an experienced educator who knows what kind of help practicing catalogers will need … RDA would be in a better state if every cataloging department had a copy of this book."
— Technicalities