Which term is the modern cataloging standard that replaced AACR2 and focuses on digital-friendly metadata structure?

• A. RDA
• B. Search terms
• C. Boolean Operators
• D. Abstract

Answer: (A)

RDA, or Resource Description and Access, is the modern cataloging standard designed to replace AACR2. It was created to work well with digital resources and online discovery, using a flexible, web-friendly metadata structure. Built on the FRBR ideas about how works, expressions, manifestations, and items relate to each other, it supports richer access points and clearer relationships in catalogs and discovery systems. This makes metadata more interoperable across libraries and digital platforms, which is essential for finding resources in online environments.

Terms like search terms are keywords used to help find records, not a cataloging standard. Boolean operators are tools used to refine searches, not metadata frameworks. An abstract is a brief summary of a work, not a system for describing and accessing library resources.