Next Generation Cataloging

This update on OCLC’s “Next Generation” Cataloging and Metadata Creation Pilot explains how publishing supply-chain partners, libraries and OCLC are collaborating to capture, enhance and use publisher metadata further upstream.

OCLC has launched a pilot project to explore upstream metadata capture and enhancement using publisher and vendor ONIX metadata. Pilot partners from the publishing, vendor and library communities are assisting us in this effort. We hope the pilot will result in ongoing processes for the early addition of new title metadata to WorldCat and enhanced quality and consistency in upstream title metadata used by multiple channels.

The establishment of data flows and practices that allow the interoperability of metadata and the remix and reuse of existing metadata will be crucial for both libraries and publishers going forward. The ability to leverage upstream publisher data effectively is also central to the recommendations included in the Library of Congress sponsored Future of Bibliographic Control draft report issued November 30, 2007.

How the pilot works

The role of publishers and vendors—Publisher and vendor pilot partners provide OCLC with title information in ONIX format. OCLC crosswalks the data to MARC for addition to WorldCat and, where possible, enriches the data in automated ways through data mining and data mapping. Enriched metadata is returned to publishers and vendors in ONIX format for evaluation of OCLC enhancements.

The role of libraries—Library pilot partners evaluate the quality of metadata added to WorldCat through this process and provide feedback on its suitability for use in library technical services workflows.

The role of other partners—Publishing industry partners such as BISG (Book Industry Study Group, Inc.) assist OCLC with publisher industry data standards and terminologies, as well as providing a forum in which to share ideas and results with the industry.

Advisory Board

An advisory board consisting of leaders from the library and publishing communities is assisting in pilot design and evaluation of results and will advise OCLC on next steps after pilot completion.

Advisory Board members:

Paul DeAnna, Ph. D., Cataloging Section, Technical Services Division, National Library of Medicine
Phil Schreur, Head of Cataloging and Metadata Services, Stanford University Libraries
David Williamson, Cataloging in Publication Division, Library of Congress
John Chapman, Metadata Librarian, Technical Services, University of Minnesota Libraries
Michael Norman, Head of Content Access Management, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Laura Dawson, Consultant to the publishing industry
Nora Rawlinson, Consultant to libraries on collection development
Kevin Clair, Metadata Librarian, Cataloging and Metadata Services, Penn State University Libraries
Marlene Harris, Division Chief/Technical Services, Chicago Public Library
Richard Stark, Director, Product Data, Barnes and Noble

Publisher/Vendor Partners in the Pilot

Ingram Book Group
Hachette Book Group
Princeton University Press
Taylor and Francis

Library Partners

Chicago Public Library
Phoenix Public Library
MIT Library
The Ohio State University Library

Related articles, links and information

Library of Congress Working Group draft report on Bibliographic Control with regard to search engine technology, the Internet and electronic resources http://www.loc.gov/today/pr/2007/07-244.html.

For more information about next generation cataloging, contact Renee Register or Maureen Huss at 1-800-848-5878, or 1-614-764-6000.

View the flier