Abstract

Metadata, particularly within the academic library setting, is often expressed in eXtensible Markup Language (XML) and managed with XML tools, technologies, and workflows. Managing a library’s metadata currently takes on a greater level of complexity as libraries are increasingly adopting the Resource Description Framework (RDF). Semantic Web initiatives are surfacing in the library context with experiments in publishing metadata as Linked Data sets and also with development efforts such as BIBFRAME and the Fedora 4 Digital Repository incorporating RDF. Use cases show that transitions into RDF are occurring in both XML standards and in libraries with metadata encoded in XML. It is vital to understand that transitioning from XML to RDF requires a shift in perspective from replicating structures in XML to defining meaningful relationships in RDF. Establishing coordination and communication among these efforts will help as more libraries move to use RDF, produce Linked Data, and approach the Semantic Web.

Highlights

  • Metadata, within the academic library setting, is often expressed in eXtensible Markup Language (XML) and managed with XML tools, technologies, and workflows

  • Conflicts are occurring when the needed outcome on the data management side is not supported by the Resource Description Framework (RDF) ontology transitions that have occurred for the XML standards being used

  • The reasons for deciding metadata should transition to RDF are just as important as determining the best process for implementing that transition

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Summary

INTRODUCTION

Within the academic library setting, is often expressed in eXtensible Markup Language (XML) and managed with XML tools, technologies, and workflows. Software tools such as the Oxygen XML Editor and querying languages such as XPath and XQuery over time have become capable of helping that management. Challenges are evident when considering examples of transitions from XML into RDF and show the need for communication and coordination between efforts to incorporate and implement RDF. This article outlines these challenges using different use cases from the literature and first-hand experience. The options explored are targeted to metadata practitioners considering this transition and to programmers, librarians, and managers

LITERATURE REVIEW AND CONCEPTS
DISCUSSION
CONCLUSION
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