The following is a summary of the discussion at DC-8 in Ottawa of the
DC-Libraries Working Group.
DC-Library WG
The DC-Library Working Group was established at the 7th
Dublin Core workshop to consider library specific issues in
relation to the Dublin Core. This session began by examining
library uses of DC; the following were specified as uses:
* Serves internationally as an interchange format between
various systems; supports reusability
* Used for harvesting metadata from databases within and
outside of library systems
* Support simple creation of library catalog records for
Web resources within local ILS or within CORC
* Can expose MARC data to other communities (through a
conversion to DC)
* Allow for acquiring data from non-library creators using
DC
Some impediments to use of DC in libraries were the following:
inability to input or use records in library ILS; inability to
link to authorities; DC is generally used more for specific
projects rather than general cross domain discovery in libraries;
reluctancy on the part of catalogers to create such simple
records.
Some discussion centered on Martin Dillon's idea that a "Dublin Core for
MARC" was necessary to allow libraries to incorporate DC type records in
their ILS systems. This involves providing guidance including a manual
and a template for creation of simple DC type records. There was not
overwhelming interest in this idea, although some participants considered
it desirable. Since this would essentially involve a library-specific
application profile (as defined in other sessions at the workshop), the
discussion continued in those terms.
What a library application profile would look like and the desirability to
establish one was considered. Additional elements to the 15 Dublin Core
elements and qualifiers might include: Audience; Holdings; Access and
Use; and, refined definitions to distinguish the use of relation and
source. In addition it might involve compiling a list of relation
qualifiers of use to the library community. Some semantics of the elements
might be refined to reflect use of such data in libraries and a few
elements might be made mandatory (suggestions were title and identifier).
Future work items for the group include:
* Develop library application profile (consult with IFLA WG
on metadata work)
* Analyze qualifiers of use for library applications
* Recommend best practices
* Collect examples of DC use in libraries
* Consider documentation on DC in MARC (template, manual) for library
ILS use (application profile with additional guidance)
* Identify, evaluate, share existing DC use and documentation
* Provide input in development and maintenance of crosswalks
* Share existing data with DC registry (e.g. encoding schemes such as
LCSH, authority files, other standards)
*Investigate how to provide URI transparency to library
database resources (e.g. authority records)
Rebecca Guenther
23 October 2000
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
^^ Rebecca S. Guenther ^^
^^ Senior Networking and Standards Specialist ^^
^^ Network Development and MARC Standards Office ^^
^^ 1st and Independence Ave. SE ^^
^^ Library of Congress ^^
^^ Washington, DC 20540-4402 ^^
^^ (202) 707-5092 (voice) (202) 707-0115 (FAX) ^^
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