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Open discussion of RDA, RDA Toolkit, and related topics

  • 1.  Dimensions of postcards

    Posted Jan 23, 2026 09:36 AM

    Dear fellow cataloguers,

    Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ) is currently drafting its policy statements in preparation for the transition to the official RDA Toolkit. We are presently developing policy statements for the core elements, including Dimensions, and we would like to seek clarification regarding the application of the RDA instructions in the specific case of postcards.

    In the RDA Toolkit, postcard is defined as "a unit of extent that consists of a card on which a message may be written or printed for mailing without an envelope. This term applies to still images." Postcards therefore combine aspects of both cards and still images. However, the instructions for recording dimensions differ depending on which attribute is considered primary.  In the former case, the dimensions of the card itself are recorded, whereas in the latter case, the dimensions of the pictorial area are recorded.

    Because the pictorial content of a postcard does not necessarily occupy the full surface of the card, the resulting dimensions may differ depending on whether the instructions for cards or for still images are applied. At BAnQ, for preservation purposes, we have traditionally recorded the dimensions of the card itself. Upon closer examination of the instructions, however, we recognize that this practice may not align with the intended application of RDA.

    For this reason, we would like to draw on the collective wisdom of the community to determine which set of instructions should be applied: 23.97.75.07 or 42.34.21.11.

    We thank you in advance for your time and for any insights or guidance you may be able to provide on this matter.

    Marie-Chantal L'Ecuyer-Coelho

    Graphic Materials Cataloguer

    Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ)



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    Marie-Chantal L'Ecuyer-Coelho
    Metadata Librarian
    Bibliothèque Et Archives Nationales Du Québec
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  • 2.  RE: Dimensions of postcards

    Posted Jan 23, 2026 08:55 PM
    Hi Marie-Chantal,

    This is where going back to the instructions in original RDA can be helpful and provide some clarity.

    From 3.5.1.1:
    For maps, etc., and still images, the dimensions can be:
    a) the dimensions of the face of the map, etc., (see 3.5.2) or of the pictorial area (see 3.5.3)
    and/or
    b) the dimensions of the carrier.

    In official RDA, this instruction became a set of conditions and options at Manifestation: dimensions. Prerecording.

    To maintain your existing practice, you could decide to not apply the condition option (21.60.35.05) to "record the dimensions of the pictorial area of the image" for postcards. As a result of not applying that option, you would be left with recording the dimensions of the carrier (i.e., the card).

    In summary, the application of both original and official RDA allows recording only the dimensions of the postcard (i.e., the carrier) without considering the dimensions of the image on the card. In official RDA, you just need to consider which options to apply or not apply to get your desired result.

    Best,
    Adam

    Adam Baron
    Head of Metadata Services
    University of California, Berkeley Library





  • 3.  RE: Dimensions of postcards

    Posted Jan 24, 2026 07:46 AM

    Colleagues

    This is covered by current proposals to develop the RDA treatment of extent. This development was planned to occur after the 3R Project; essentially, 3R made amendments to original RDA to fit the instructions into the new Toolkit structure and to comply with the IFLA Library Reference Model, but did not substantially change the instructions or address issues such as requirements for the extent of image and sheet to be clarified.

    The proposals can be found on the RSC Extent Working Group's webpage at https://www.rdatoolkit.org/rsc/extent-working-group

    The proposals which directly address this issue are:

    The RSC discussed these proposals a few days ago and we can expect to see outcomes real soon now, and subsequent changes to the Toolkit later in the year.

    The proposals take into account the development of ISBD for Manifestation, which has a full worked example of a postcard of the photograph of Truman Capote by Henri Cartier-Bresson: https://www.iflastandards.info/ISBDM/docs/fullex/fx060.html



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    Gordon Dunsire
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Dimensions of postcards

    Posted Feb 02, 2026 09:06 AM
    Many thanks to both of you, Adam and Gordon!
    We are delighted to learn that RDA offers the flexibility to record the carrier's dimensions. We will also take a close look at proposals RSC/ExtentWG/2025/5 and RSC/ExtentWG/2025/3 and ensure that we follow up on their outcomes and any resulting changes to the RDA Toolkit.

    Thank you again for your invaluable insights!
    Marie-Chantal


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    Marie-Chantal L'Ecuyer-Coelho
    Metadata Librarian
    Bibliothèque Et Archives Nationales Du Québec
    She/Her/Hers
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    Original Message