Table 1
The five adopter categories as outlined by Everett Rogers
| Category | Category size | Characteristic | Definition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Innovators | 2.5% | venturesome | Interest in new ideas leads them to leave the social system. RDA field test libraries. |
| Early adopters | 13.5% | respectful | Integrated into the social system. This category has the highest proportion of opinion leaders. Adopt RDA before the majority. Libraries going live on, in lead up to, or immediately after, 31 March 2013. RDA is currently still in this phase. |
| Early majority | 34% | deliberate | Adopt RDA just before the average. Libraries with a planned schedule for adoption within the short to mid term (e.g. before end 2013, early 2014) |
| Late majority | 34% | skeptical | Adopt RDA just after the average. Currently waiting until they perceive that the time is right to adopt. Cautious approach to adoption. |
| Laggards | 16% | traditional | The last to adopt. Resistant to change but will, inevitably, have to succumb. Libraries that hang on to AACR2 and do not believe that RDA offers a better alternative. |