Machine Readable Cataloging Research Articles

Archival description and linked data: a preliminary study of opportunities and implementation challenges

This paper presents the results of a study to investigate how archives can connect their collections to related data sources through the use of Semantic Web technologies, specifically Linked Data. Questions explored included (a) What types of data currently available in archival surrogates such as Encoded Archival Description (EAD) finding aids and Machine-Readable Cataloging (MARC) records may be useful if converted to Linked Data? (b) For those potentially useful data points identified in archival surrogates, how might one align data structures found in those surrogates to the data structures of other relevant internal or external information sources? (c) What features of current standards and data structures present impediments or challenges that must be overcome in order to achieve interoperability among disparate data sources? To answer these questions, the researcher identified metadata elements of potential use as Linked Data in archival surrogates, as well as metadata element sets and vocabularies of data sets that could serve as pathways to relevant external data sources. Data sets chosen for the study included DBpedia and schema.org; metadata element sets examined included Friend of a Friend (FOAF), GeoNames, and Linking Open Description of Events (LODE). The researcher then aligned tags found in the EAD encoding standard to related classes and properties found in these Linked Data sources and metadata element sets. To investigate the third question about impediments to incorporating Linked Data in archival descriptions, the researcher analyzed the locations and frequencies at which controlled and uncontrolled access points (personal and family name, corporate name, geographic name, and genre/form entities) appeared in a sample of MARC and EAD archival descriptive records by using a combination of hand counts and the natural language processing (NLP) tool, OpenCalais. The results of the location and frequency analysis, combined with the results of the alignment process, helped the researcher identify several critical challenges currently impeding interoperability among archival information systems and relevant Linked Data sources, including differences in granularity between archival and other data source vocabularies, and inadequacies of current encoding standards to support semantic tagging of potential access points embedded in free text areas of archival surrogates.

Evaluation of Mappings from MARC to Linked Data

The purpose of this study is to assess the quality and compatibility of library linked data (LLD) schemas in use or proposed for library resources. Linked Data (LD) has the potential to provide high quality metadata on the web with the ability to incorporate existing structured data from MARC via a mapping. Researchers selected representative libraries such as Harvard University Library, LC BIBFRAME (Library of Congress Bibliographic Framework), OCLC (Online Computer Library Canter) WorldCat, and National Library of Spain. For LD frameworks, four resources are matched into specific categories with MARC (MAchine-Readable Cataloging) tags so that it could be retrieved in both OCLC LD and BIBFRAME with the conversion tool at bibframe.org: (1) Classic, ebook, and fiction, (2) multiple authors and part of a series, and non-fiction, (3) varying title, translation, and fiction, and (4) sub title, non-fiction. This study revealed that the choices and elements of each library made in local decisions might bring interoperability issues for LD services due to the quality metadata creation issues.

Experimenting with implementing FRBR in a Chinese Koha system

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide broad overviews of functional requirements for bibliographic records (FRBR) in the context of Chinese machine-readable cataloguing (CMARC). It examines areas of the FRBR model, FRBR system development, FRBR applications and FRBR research. Design/methodology/approach – A Chinese Koha_LibFRBR testbed was set up to develop three activities: building a FRBR application function library called LibFRBR to maintain FRBRized bibliographic records, implementing a mapping algorithm between CMARC/MARC 21 and FRBR, and designing a new generation Chinese FRBR Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) user interface. Findings – The pilot system implementation demonstrates a workable process with useful output using both automated means (through a Perl module) and manual means (through a cataloguing interface (CI)). The study shows that existing poor Relator Code system and the maintenance of very little authority data in libraries in Taiwan are disadvantages in utilizing th...

Hierarchical Relationships in the Bibliographic Universe

The hierarchical relationships among bibliographic entities include whole–part structures and the Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records (FRBR) hierarchical relationships among works, expression, manifestations, and items. The traditional MARC (Machine Readable Cataloging) format falls short in representing these hierarchical relationships. Based on detailed analyses of these hierarchical relationships and an examination of Metadata Encoding and Transmission Standard (METS) and Encoded Archival Description (EAD), which are well suited for hierarchical description, the author proposes some features of a new data structure standard named Resource Description Metadata Schema (RDMS). New cataloging practices based on RDMS will bring bibliographic description closer to archival description, and take one step further toward merged descriptive practices for bibliographic and archival materials.

Online, Practical, and Free Cataloging Resources

This comprehensive annotated webliography describes online cataloging resources that are free to use, currently updated, and of high quality. The major aim of this webliography is to provide assistance for catalogers who are new to the profession, unfamiliar with cataloging specific formats, or unable to access costly print and subscription resources. The annotated resources include general websites and webpages, databases, workshop presentations, streaming media, and local documentation. The scope of the webliography is limited to resources reflecting traditional cataloging practices using the Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, 2nd edition, RDA: Resource Description and Access, and MAchine Readable Cataloging (MARC) standards. Non-MARC metadata schemas like Dublin Core are not covered. Most components of cataloging are represented in this webliography, such as authority control, classification, subject headings, and genre terms. Guidance also is provided for cataloging miscellaneous formats including sound and videorecordings, streaming media, e-books, video games, graphic novels, kits, rare materials, maps, serials, realia, government documents, and music.

A Faceted Data Model for Bibliographic Integration Between MARC and FRBR

Although MAchine Readable Cataloging (MARC) and Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records (FRBR) are currently the most broadly used bibliographic structures for generating bibliographic data in the library community, each has its own weaknesses in describing information resources in diverse media. If the MARC format could be implemented in a structure that reflects the multi-layered characteristics of FRBR, its use could address current problems and limitations in resource description. The purpose of this research is to propose an alternative approach that can integrate the heterogeneous bibliographic structures of MARC and FRBR through the applications of facet and facet analysis. The proposed faceted data model is expected to function as a conceptual structure that can mediate between MARC data elements and FRBR attributes in order to utilize these structures in a more reliable and comprehensive way.

RDA: Resource description & access—a survey of the current state of the art

Resource Description & Access (RDA) is intended to provide a flexible and extensible framework that can accommodate all types of content and media within rapidly evolving digital environments while also maintaining compatibility with the Anglo‐American Cataloguing Rules, 2nd edition (AACR2). The cataloging community is grappling with practical issues in navigating the transition from AACR2 to RDA; there is a definite need to evaluate major subject areas and broader themes in information organization under the new RDA paradigm. This article aims to accomplish this task through a thorough and critical review of the emerging RDA literature published from 2005 to 2011. The review mostly concerns key areas of difference between RDA and AACR2, the relationship of the new cataloging code to metadata standards, the impact on encoding standards such as Machine‐Readable Cataloging (MARC), end user considerations, and practitioners' views on RDA implementation and training. Future research will require more in‐depth studies of RDA's expected benefits and the manner in which the new cataloging code will improve resource retrieval and bibliographic control for users and catalogers alike over AACR2. The question as to how the cataloging community can best move forward to the post‐AACR2/MARC environment must be addressed carefully so as to chart the future of bibliographic control in the evolving environment of information production, management, and use.

E-Book Cataloging Workshop: Hands-On Training using RDA

This half-day preconference, led by Marielle Veve and Wanda Rosiński, consisted of a hands-on workshop that introduced the creation of original machine-readable cataloging (MARC) records for e-books using the Resource Description and Access (RDA) standard. Attendees received an introduction to the guidelines and participated in practical exercises. The workshop consisted of two main sections: the first part focused on the descriptive area of a MARC record, while the second part focused on understanding RDA relationships and how they can be reflected and recorded into MARC records through the use of access points, designators, and notes.

Collaborative Batch Creation for Open Access E-Books: A Case Study

When the National Academies Press announced that more than 4,000 electronic books would be made freely available for download, many academic libraries expressed interest in obtaining MARC (Machine Readable Cataloging) records for them. Using cataloging e-mail distribution lists, volunteers were recruited for a project to identify and upgrade bibliographic records for aggregation into a batch that could be easily loaded into catalogs. Project organization, documentation, quality control measures, and problems are described, as well as processes for adding new titles. The project's implications for future efforts are assessed, as are the numerous challenges for network-level cataloging.

Teaching Wild Horses to Sing: Managing the Deluge of Electronic Serials

When the sheer volume of incoming electronic serials threatened to overwhelm us in the University Libraries at Virginia Tech, we embraced the opportunity to examine our entire e-serials management system and options for utilizing services provided by vendors. This resulted in the formation of a collaborative task force composed of people from serials management and cataloging. We describe our process of implementing a vendor supplied service, the ways in which the MARC [machine-readable cataloging] record service changed the way we manage serials cataloging and holdings records for electronic journals, and the way in which some simple scripting in Python helped us overcome some significant obstacles.

What's Up with Docs?!?: The Peculiarities of Cataloging Federal Government Serial Publications

Federal government documents serials possess special features that make them particularly difficult to catalog and manage—from government documents-specific machine-readable cataloging fields and coding to Supervisor of Documents numbers and distinctive enumeration. As electronic documents, they present another set of complex cataloging challenges involving the Government Printing Office's (GPO) single-record approach in the early days of providing access online. This article brings three discrete perspectives to a discussion of these challenges. One perspective is that of a cataloger working at GPO's Library Services & Content Management (LSCM) division who provides a voice from the source. Another perspective is that of a local cataloger who must make government documents’ records conform to the guidelines of the local library's online catalog. The last perspective is that of a Regional Federal Depository Library Coordinator who is responsible for providing access to government information for patrons in a library located at a Carnegie Classified Research I university.

Linked Data for libraries

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide recommendations for making a conceptual shift from current document‐centric to data‐centric metadata. The importance of adjusting current library models such as Resource Description and Access (RDA) and Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records (FRBR) to models based on Linked Data principles is discussed. In relation to technical formats, the paper suggests the need to leapfrog from machine readable cataloguing (MARC) to Resource Description Framework (RDF), without disrupting current library metadata operations.Design/methodology/approachThis paper identified and reviewed relevant works on overarching topics that include standards‐based metadata, Web 2.0 and Linked Data. The review of these works is contextualised to inform the recommendations identified in this paper. Articles were retrieved from databases such as Emerald and D‐Lib Magazine. Books, electronic articles and relevant blog posts were also used to support the arguments put forward in this paper.FindingsContemporary library standards and models carried forward some of the constraints from the traditional card catalogue system. The resultant metadata are mainly attuned to human consumption rather than machine processing. In view of current user needs and technological development such as the interest in Linked Data, it is found important that current metadata models such as FRBR and RDA are re‐conceptualised.Practical implicationsThis paper discusses the implications of re‐conceptualising current metadata models in light of Linked Data principles, with emphasis on metadata sharing, facilitation of serendipity, identification of Zeitgeist and emergent metadata, provision of faceted navigation, and enriching metadata with links.Originality/valueMost of the literature on Linked Data for libraries focus on answering the “how to” questions of using RDF/XML and SPARQL technologies, however, this paper focuses mainly on answering “why” Linked Data questions, thus providing an underlying rationale for using Linked Data. The discussion on mixed‐metadata approaches, serendipity, Zeitgeist and emergent metadata is considered to provide an important rationale to the role of Linked Data for libraries.

Describing Electronic, Digital, and Other Media Using AACR2 and RDA: A How-To-Do-It Manual and CD-ROM for Librarians

Describing Electronic, Digital, and Other Media Using AACR2 and RDA is a new soft-cover manual geared for catalogers transitioning into using the new resource description and access (RDA). It is one of Neal-Schuman's How-To-Do-It Manuals and focuses on cataloging electronic, Internet, and other emerging resources, such as streaming audio and video. In the preface of this book, the authors clearly stated their goal for writing this manual: To provide a source of information and ideas for catalogers who are charged with creating descriptive records in the rapidly changing environment of resource description for digital and nontangible formats…to ease the transition from Anglo-American Cataloging Rules, Second Edition (AACR2) to Resource Description and Access (RDA) as a practical, flexible tool by introducing the concepts behind the Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records (FRBR) and by offering guided, step-by-step instructions for the creation of descriptive records based on its principles. Intended primarily for individuals who are familiar with resource description according to Anglo-American Cataloging Rules, Second Revised Edition (AACR2R), integrated library systems (ILSs), and applying and interpreting Library of Congress Classification and Subject Headings, this manual is also appropriate for librarians, library assistants, and those individuals who are new to resource description but who may benefit from a cursory understanding of AACR2 as an important link to RDA. (p. xiii) The introduction contains an overview of the changes to the resource landscape as influenced by the digital age; discussion about the functional requirements for bibliographic records (FRBR), which serves as the foundation for RDA; and RDA organization, terminology, and key concepts. RDA is now the new standard for describing resources and access, and it is expected to replace the Anglo-American Cataloging Rules, second revised edition (AACR2). Chapter 1 provides “Essential Background” as it examines the core elements of resource description for nonbook resources. Chapters 2 through 8 “address carrier-specific resource description: cartographic resources sound recordings videos electronic resources electronic integrating resources microforms multimedia kits and mixed materials Each chapter begins with an overview of important considerations regarding specific media and carrier types, followed by an outline of the elements that may be included in resource description for the format” (p. xv). These seven chapters follow the RDA and AACR2 guidelines for bibliographic description. The examples provided are in Machine-Readable Cataloging (MARC) format, Metadata for Object Description (MODS) schema, and Dublin Core (DC). A wealth of information supplementing the main text is found in the accompanying CD-ROM. It elucidates resource description from AACR2 to RDA in a straightforward comparison showing the changes in descriptive cataloging. It also provides links to useful documentation and information. A website for current resources on RDA and cataloging addresses changes to RDA as they emerge. Cataloging templates included in the CD-ROM help to simplify the cataloging process. Links to the authors' email addresses allow readers to contact them with questions and/or feedback. This reviewer was a cataloger in the AACR2 era before becoming a medical librarian. This manual, the latest update to Cataloging Nonprint and Internet Resources (2002), provided the information needed to appreciate the application of the new cataloging rules. The authors should be commended for devoting an entire, detailed chapter to explaining the elements of resource description, new terminologies, significance of certain codes, and technical data that need to be identified. The abundance of examples and sample descriptive records in various formats in three metadata schemes—MARC, MODS, and DC—make this manual very user friendly. In addition, the inclusion of the algorithms and flowcharts gives a visual picture of the relationships of the entities. The ample spaces on the side of the pages are useful for a cataloger's remarks and additional pencil notes. It would have made the guide impeccable had the authors of Describing Electronic, Digital, and Other Media Using AACR and RDA included some standard categories of resources, like printed music and globes. Nevertheless, the authors, who are also expert catalogers, brought years of experience and skills into writing this manual. They have succeeded in producing a very valuable cataloging tool that may remain in the cataloging section until the next significant change. Their contribution will certainly be appreciated. This manual is highly recommended for any cataloger who wants an easy-to-understand and readily accessible guide.

국제목록원칙 2009 제정에 따른 한국목록규칙의 방향성에 관한 연구

This study seeks to replace PaRIS Principles and find directions of revising KCR4 by analyzing the international Cataloging Principles 2009(ICP 2009) established in the environment of Machine Readable Cataloging. ICP 2009 was reflected in cataloging rules such as RDA and ISBD 2010 as the minimal principles for uniformity in establishing each nation`s cataloging rules. In contrary, KCR4 needs to be revised because it has never been changed after 2003, and has only description rules without any rules for the choice and forms of access points. Therefore, this study aims to grasp requirements that should be reflected in KCR4 through analyzing ICP 2009. In first step, it is to grasp the features of ICP 2009 by comparing PaRIS Principle and ICP 2009 and to compare KCR4 in aspects of ICP 2009. The detailed elements for comparison between ICP 2009 and KCR4 are scope, general principles, entitles, attributes, and relationships, objectives and functions of the catalogue, bibliographic description, access points, foundations for search capabilities as the contents of ICP 2009. As a result, this study could give some directions of KCR4 in the future. First, ISBD 2010 and conceptual models should be reflected in KCR4 in description. Second, it should regulate the authority access points in KCR4 based on ICP 2009. Third, it will describe essential access points of work and expression attributes in bibliographic records and authority records to find works and expression. This study will contribute to guide the national cataloging rules.

Serials and RDA: An Ongoing Relationship

This full-day preconference offered a comprehensive study of Resource Description and Access (RDA) and the cataloging of serials and related issues. It discussed RDA guidelines that covered identifying entities and making relationships in the context of Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records (FRBR), Functional Requirements for Authority Data (FRAD), and the Statement of International Cataloguing Principles. In addition to reviewing changes between Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, Second Edition (AACR2) and RDA, Kuhagen introduced new RDA elements and machine-readable cataloging (MARC) coding. Finally, the speaker gave a preview of possible changes in RDA affecting serials.

Testing RDA at Dominican University's Graduate School of Library and Information Science: The Students’ Perspectives

Dominican University's Graduate School of Library and Information Science (GSLIS) was one of a funnel group of graduate schools of library and information science selected to test Resource Description and Access (RDA). A seminar specifically for this purpose was approved by the dean and faculty of the library school and was conducted from August to December 2010. Fifteen students participated in the test, creating records in Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules (AACR2) and in RDA, encoding them in the MARC (Machine Readable Cataloging) format, and responding to the required questionnaires. In addition to record creation, the students were also asked to submit a final paper in which they described their experiences and recommended whether or not to accept RDA as a replacement for AACR2.

Testing Resource Description and Access (RDA) with Non-MARC Metadata Standards

Columbia University, the University of Chicago, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign participated in the 2010 U.S. National Libraries Test of Resource Description & Access (RDA). As devised, the new cataloging code is format and schema independent. Because creating descriptive metadata records in non–MARC (Machine Readable Cataloging) metadata standards is now a part of regular cataloging practice, the three institutions chose to test RDA with the standards, Metadata Object Description Standard (MODS), Encoded Archival Description (EAD), and Dublin Core. This article describes the set-ups and workflows of each institution, the issues encountered with record creation, and the conclusions drawn from the test.

RDA Testing in Triplicate: Kent State University's Experiences with RDA Testing

Kent State University participated in three different Resource Description and Access (RDA) testing opportunities: one formal, one informal and format-specific, and one informal general test. This article presents the experiences of University Libraries and the School of Library and Information Science participants. Based on multiple experiences with RDA testing, we find that RDA records work at various levels: they are compatible with Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, Second Edition (AACR2) records in both public and staff mode; original, copy catalogers, and reference personnel find them sufficient for the work they do; and there is little significant difference between AARC2 and RDA records in the MARC (Machine Readable Cataloging) environment.

How MARC Has Changed: The History of the Format and Its Forthcoming Relationship to RDA

Automation in libraries dates back to the 1950s, with early efforts gradually leading to the Library of Congress exploring the idea for its own library. This led to the MARC pilot project in 1965. Sixteen libraries participated in the distribution of early MARC I records. The success of the project resulted in MARC II, with the Library of Congress becoming the distributor of machine readable cataloging records. Use of Machine-Readable Cataloging (MARC) exploded in the 1970s, helped by the growth of cataloging services such as Ohio College Library Center (OCLC) and Research Libraries Information Network (RLIN). Changes to MARC became the responsibility of the Library of Congress and the American Library Association's MARBI. LC-MARC became USMARC in the 1980s, which became MARC 21 in the late 1990s. Resource Description Access (RDA), the replacement for the Anglo-American Cataloging Rules, 2nd ed., 2002 revision will produce many changes to MARC 21, but some elements of MARC 21 already address RDA under different names. The language of General Materials Designators and Special Materials Designators in RDA will be more flexible to the changing formats of media, allowing room for future terms. Among the tags MARC 21 will add to accommodate RDA are 336, 337, and 338 for content, media, and carrier type respectively. The MARC 21 Format for Authority Data will also make changes to address RDA, with tags for a name's associated places, addresses, fields of activity, affiliation, occupation, gender, and family information.

CONSER Update

The Cooperative Online Serials (CONSER) Program plays an important leadership role in the serials cataloging community. This session provided an overview of the history and functions of the program. Also covered were discussions of some issues and projects of current interest, including recent training efforts, a cooperative cataloging project focused on open-access journals, machine-readable cataloging (MARC) coding changes, and Research Description and Access (RDA) testing. In the final portion of the program, a librarian from a CONSER-member library presented a model for applying the Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records (FRBR) model to serials cataloging. As a part this practical application of FRBR, the creation of a serials authority record was recommended.