Cataloging

Cheat Sheet The Library Bound Items Best Practices Cheat Sheet is a document that explains what exactly library bound items are and why they are different, provides guidance on how to approach cataloging these items, and finally offers information regarding what to do...

Procedure This procedure provides cataloging parameter recommendations and step-by-step instructions how to create a WorkFlows brief record for a cake pan. Download this procedure here. Revised June 23, 2025

Policy It is the policy of the RSA Board of Directors that RSA Member Libraries adhere to the RSA Bibliographic Database Standards (in the section below). Download the Bibliographic Database Policy here. Approved by the RSA Board...

This training focuses on how to use the WorkFlows Item Group Editor wizard. Item Group Editor allows you to search for a group of items in your collection and then make changes to all of those items in a single batch. Examples of values that can be changed using Item...

The Utilizing RSA’s Seed Library Broad Category Enhanced Brief Records Guide is a document which provides guidance and further information to libraries interested in cataloging their seed library items in WorkFlows using RSA created enhanced brief records.  Cataloging...

Procedure This procedure explains how to reconfigure WorkFlows to use a word processing program other than WordPad to view and/or print Load Bibliographic Record (bibload) reports. A Windows 11 update removes WordPad from computers, resulting in a “specified path was...

Policy On May 17, 2024, the RSA NFP Database Committee agreed to forward to the RSA Board of Directors a proposal to use the Homosaurus controlled vocabulary when cataloging. The RSA Board of Directors approved this policy on August 1, 2024. Homosaurus is an...

Procedure RSA libraries may arrange an agreement to rotate their collection, such as large print books, with other RSA libraries on a fixed timetable. Also called a floating, cooperative, or “co-op” collection. This procedure explains how to handle these items in...

Cheat Sheet This cheat sheet lists several reports the RSA cataloging department can run to help libraries with database maintenance projects. Download this cheat sheet here. Revised March 22, 2024

Cheat Sheet When looking for a matching record in WorkFlows, catalogers oftentimes encounter overwhelming search results and wonder where to begin.  This cheat sheet lists techniques you can use to quickly eliminate non-matches and more readily find potential...

The item in your hand does not have a matching record in WorkFlows or OCLC (if your library uses Connexion Client or Record Manager).  What should you do to catalog your item in WorkFlows?  What if you are unsure of a record and want RSA’s help determining...

Procedure This procedure explains step-by-step what will happen when RSA is ready to upgrade a brief item to an OCLC record with full bibliographic description. RSA will place a copy-level hold on the item, catalog it on an OCLC...

This cheat sheet explains some of the differences that may exist between an item and a potential matching record, which justify using a different record to catalog the item. Please note this cheat sheet is not a comprehensive list of all possible differences. Download...

Cheat Sheet This cheat sheet shows the difference between how item formats display in WorkFlows for AACR2 records versus RDA records. Download this cheat sheet here. Revised February 9, 2017

Policy Prohibited Items Policy This policy outlines specific types of items that shall not be cataloged, circulated, or interlibrary loaned in the RSA database due to the legal liability for both the library and RSA. Download...

Standards This document presents a summary of bibliographic database standards prepared by the RSA Database Management Committee in 1999. The standards ensure consistent and quality cataloging practices for the shared RSA database. The standards include discussion of...

Policy The RSA Users Group approved the elimination of the AV, AV-L, and NEW-AV item types because they were too generic, causing confusion for patrons and staff about the actual format of the item. AV item types had been used for movies, sound recordings, books with...

Policy This document discusses WorkFlows cataloging wizard access, login credentials, required core competencies, and additional recommendations for the three WorkFlows cataloging levels that were implemented for RSA member library staff effective July 1, 2015. The...

Policy On May 10, 2022, the RSA Board of Directors approved this policy that retired 20 legacy new item types and replaced them with a standardized, more focused set of item types for new materials.  This policy also...