Carlo Bianchini

From Bibliographic Models to Cataloging Rules: Remarks on FRBR, ICP, ISBD, and RDA and the Relationships Between Them

This article discusses the changes that are occurring in the world of cataloging. It argues that these changes need to be coordinated. It also discusses the feature of current OPACs, FRBR, the Paris Principles and its proposed replacement (ICP), AACR2 and its proposed replacement (RDA), ISBD, and the relationships between and among these standards. It argues that the syntax of ISBD is an essential component of RDA and all future international and national cataloging codes.

RDA: Resource Description and Access

Il volume si rivolge principalmente a quattro categorie di lettori: studenti di catalogazione, aspiranti bibliotecari, bibliotecari che vogliono aggiornare le proprie conoscenze, chiunque voglia descrivere e rendere accessibili in rete risorse di qualsiasi tipo; la quarta categoria e inedita, ma importante, perche sintomatica della grande trasformazione che RDA (Resource Description and Access) sta cercando di attuare. Le linee guida – piuttosto che un insieme di norme – sono, infatti, destinate a tutti coloro che vogliono descrivere e dare accesso a una raccolta di beni culturali o di beni tout court: bibliotecari, conservatori dei musei, archivisti e operatori di qualsiasi altro settore disciplinare. Il libro e suddiviso in due parti, una di richiamo ai fondamenti teorici della catalogazione (FRBR, ICP, il web semantico e i linked data), l’altra di esposizione critica delle linee guida. RDA ha lo scopo di rendere possibile la creazione di metadati ben strutturati per le risorse in modo che possano essere usati in qualsiasi ambiente. Scopo di RDA e, infatti, costituire “un insieme di linee guida e di istruzioni per la formulazione dei dati che consentano la scoperta delle risorse”. Le Linee guida pongono l’accento su quattro verbi: Identificare, Collegare (dalle funzioni base di FRBR/FRAD e ICP), Rappresentare, Scoprire; e su un sostantivo: Risorse. Identificare le entita del Gruppo 1 e Gruppo 2 di FRBR (Opera, Espressione, Manifestazione, Item, Persona, Famiglia Ente); Collegare le entita del Gruppo 1 e Gruppo 2 di FRBR, tramite le relazioni. Consentire agli utenti di rappresentare e di scoprire le risorse, selezionate tramite gli attributi e le relazioni delle entita del Gruppo 1 e Gruppo 2 di FRBR. Tutto cio e il motivo d’interesse della ricerca dell’utente, utente che e al centro del processo. RDA consente di scoprire la conoscenza registrata, ovvero qualsiasi risorsa che trasmette informazioni, qualsiasi risorsa che sia veicolo di un contenuto intellettuale o artistico su qualsiasi supporto e in qualsiasi forma. RDA e uno standard di contenuto e non si occupa della visualizzazione: fornisce istruzioni su come identificare i dati, ma non spiega come e dove presentare i dati individuati e collegati in base alle linee guida. RDA richiede un approccio originale, una metanoia, una profonda trasformazione del modo di concepire la catalogazione. Le novita di RDA sono, pertanto, molte e in varie direzioni: favorisce l’integrazione dei cataloghi con gli altri strumenti d’informazione, adotta il linguaggio del web semantico, e uno standard internazionale, e utilizzabile da attori differenziati per la creazione di dati. Si auspica che il nuovo standard si arricchisca della partecipazione attiva e consapevole di un’ampia comunita di professionisti di tutto il mondo, portando ciascuno il meglio del proprio background culturale, in una dimensione collaborativa, consapevole, riconosciuta e planetaria. La great tradition catalografica, con la pubblicazione di RDA, compie un altro passo storico che segna il suo ingresso definitivo nell’era digitale.

ISBD Resource and Its Description in the Context of the Semantic Web

This article explores the question “What is an International Standard for Bibliographic Description (ISBD) resource in the context of the Semantic Web, and what is the relationship of its description to the linked data?” This question is discussed against the background of the dichotomy between the description and access using the Semantic Web differentiation of the three logical layers: real-world objects, web of data, and special purpose (bibliographic) data. The representation of bibliographic data as linked data is discussed, distinguishing the description of a resource from the iconic/objective and the informational/subjective viewpoints. In the conclusion, the authors give views on possible directions of future development of the ISBD.

A Turning Point for Catalogs: Ranganathan's Possible Point of View

Since the end of the last century, catalogs have been changing more and more quickly. This change is following a recognizable course, beginning with the publication of Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records, passing through the reorganization of international cataloging principles, the revision of international standards of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (International Standard for Bibliographic Description), and the foundation of new cataloging codes, such as Resource Description and Access. While principles, models, and rules are well established, bibliographic formats seem to be a bottleneck and users seem far from libraries. This article aims to present an overview of current changes, potential convergences, developments, and weak points from Ranganathans point of view.

Arrangement of FRBR Entities in Colon Classification Call Numbers

This article analyzes similarities and differences between Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records (FRBR) entities and their representation in the Colon Classification call numbers. Dealing with lack of organization in library shelves and in the lists of bibliographic records resulting from users’ searches in our present online catalogs, the article discusses the chance to organize bibliographic resources by FRBR entities using the model of the facet formula provided for call numbers in Colon Classification and by means of relevant, ready, and useable extant data. Main results of this analysis are: correspondences between FRBR entities and categories expressed in Ranganathans bibliographic system can be found; a sound but not completely FRBRized bibliographic arrangement can be reached by call numbers also in catalogs not structurally capable to satisfy the FRBR model; in Ranganathans classified catalog 1 semantic and semiotic cataloging are perfectly integrated, giving access to the bibliographic universe as a whole; facet formula for call numbers could be used as an identifying device.

La biblioteca è reference. Definizione, modelli, prospettive del servizio di reference.

The paper aims to offer a theoretical and practical frame for reference service, to describe the different ways in which reference service take form, to analyze the steps in reference process, to examine fundamental components of the service, and to present ideas about reference service expressed by Ranganathan and other scholars that dealt with this topic. The paper proceeds developing some essential steps of analysis of the service: definition and scope of the English term reference, origins and reasons of reference service, reference work, kinds of reader and of reference, and the reference librarian. The adopted approach is to give voice to many scholars that dealt with reference service, with a particular regard to S.R. Ranganathan’s ideas. For this reason, besides many quotations inserted in the text of the paper, a special Appendix containing readings selected for their relevant exemplificative value is added.

The Italian Translation of RDA

ABSTRACT The first online version of the Italian translation of RDA, Resource Description and Access, the new standard for metadata and resource discovery in the digital age, was published in November 2015, on the website of ICCU (Technical Working Group for RDA translation 2015). The translation was published on the RDA Toolkit on March 8, 2016. The translation aims to promote the guidelines in Italy and is the result of one and a half years of work. The Italian Translation Working Group (Gruppo di lavoro tecnico per la traduzione dello standard RDA)1 worked by email and through periodic meetings, and met also with ICCU to check the whole translation and to discuss single difficult questions. The process of organization of the translation and language translation issues is discussed. Italian translation work was also a valuable opportunity to work with the Joint Steering Committee (JSC) for Development of RDA to contribute to updating the online text and to the ongoing debate, including determining some revisions in the text.

ISBD and Mechanical Musical Devices: A Case Study of the Department of Musicology and Cultural Heritage, University of Pavia, Italy

The collection of nearly 1,000 piano rolls housed within the Department of Musicology and Cultural Heritage, University of Pavia, Cremona, Italy, remains in need of preservation. A digitalization project requires cataloging based on international cataloging standards. A distinction among instruments and media must be introduced and specific features of mechanical musical devices are to be identified. Four main classes of media have been identified: disks, pinned barrels, books, and rolls. Lastly, morphological peculiarities of the media must be examined to establish their correct and complete description within the International Standard for Bibliographic Description (ISBD) areas.