1. Committee Membership

The Expression of Interest for new committee members has closed. ACORD would like to thank everyone who took the time to submit their interest in joining the committee. The current breadth of representation on the committee from across the sector was discussed, and will inform invitations for new members.

Current ACORD Secretary Lisa Maclean will be taking a leave of absence for approximately 12 months. The committee discussed potential stand-ins for Secretary, with a decision to come.

2. NSLA RDA Project

There are approximately 150 RDA elements that need policy statements, which has pushed out the Policy Statement Working Group’s timeline.  The focus now is on delivering outcomes that educators can use, and ensuring the project is recognised at the strategic level across the sector.

3. BIBFRAME

The BIBFRAME Downunder webinar, hosted by ACORD and NLA on 7 October, received very positive feedback. The session provided an overview of BIBFRAME as a data structure and how it is being used in the ANBD. It was well-attended with a variety of insightful questions from the community. ACORD discussed the possibility of a second webinar and other informal forums for those interested to discuss BIBFRAME in Australia. The webinar recording is now available here.

4. Rare Materials

Following consultation with ALIA Rare Cataloguing and a formal submission to Trove, ACORD is preparing a followup to Trove’s response regarding rare materials cataloguing in the ANBD.

Round-up of Community of Practice and Project updates:

• Cataloguers’ Catch-Up – Melissa Parent hosted the last session and noted the mix of attendees and experience levels making for diverse conversation. The next session is scheduled for 21 November 2025, 1pm AEDT
• Reparative Description CoP – At the October meeting, Melissa Parent presented on the NSLA RDA Project. Catriona Mills from Austlit will be speaking at the November meeting.
• Schools Cataloguing CoP – The next meeting is scheduled for 29 November 2025, with a speaker from St. Patrick’s College in Tasmania.
• Australian Subject Analysis Project – The terms of reference have now been drafted, with a project plan to come. Next year, the group will be undertaking an environmental scan of subject analysis in Australia.