Mauro Guerrini

GMD: Its Function and Its History

ABSTRACT The history, scope, and functions of the General Material Designation (GMD) are reviewed. Reasons for difficulties in using GMDs, the hybrid nature of GMDs, and their functional nature are examined. Future uses of GMD in an international context are discussed. Agreement exists that a sound definition for the “mode of expression” is still needed.

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.

A Conceptual Model for the New Soggettario: Subject Indexing in the Light of FRBR

ABSTRACT The National Central Library in Florence, Italy, has commissioned a feasibility study for the renewal of the Soggettario [Subject headings for Italian libraries]. [It is indispensable for the theoretical development to take place within the international debate and to approach the topic of a new Soggettario with reference to the FRBR.] The subject is analysed as a relation between the entities in the third group: concept, object, event, place and the entity work. The model identifies the logical entities, attributes and relationships which run between the entities. The article returns to and amplifies the user tasks of FRBR which involve a subject: (1) Find the works on a given subject; (2) Find the works in which a concept is significantly treated; (3) Select a work by its main subject only; (4) Lead to a search for works on related subjects; (5) Lead to a search for works in which related or connected subjects are handled.

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.

In Praise of the Un-Finished: The IFLA Statement of International Cataloguing Principles (2009)

The Paris Principles (1961) is the most relevant theoretical reference framework in the history of cataloguing; it was taken as the basis for the codes developed worldwide from the mid-sixties. In 2001, it was suggested calling an international meeting to re-examine critically the Paris Principles and to broaden its scope to todays issues. The analysis dealt with the broader bibliographic universe, the greater variety of types of resources, the changes brought about by automation and informatics, the search modes and the languages used by readers who think and act globally, the need to avail of the same strategies to search OPACs, and the need for an architecture built on shared rules. On 2009 IFLA published the Statement of International Cataloguing Principles (ICP). The ICP is built on a highly adaptable conceptual framework and has employed the tremendous diversity of the library and information worlds, both physical and digital. It required strenuous work in the five-year IME ICC (IFLA Meetings of Experts on an International Cataloguing Code) proceedings started in July 2003. ICP replaces and broadens the scope of the Paris Principles from just textual works to all types of materials and from just the choice and form of entry to all aspects of bibliographic and authority data used in catalogues. The new principles meet the needs of a world much changed since 1961, but they are still imperfect, like an unfinished text, especially for the theoretical analysis of the bibliographic description and for the subject indexing nearly absent from the text. Being aware of their imperfection, we feel compelled to improve them.

From Record Management to Data Management: RDA and New Application Models BIBFRAME, RIMMF, and OliSuite/WeCat

ABSTRACT The reflection provoked by RDA produced the awareness that the flat format of MARC 21 records is inadequate in expressing the relationships between bibliographic entities that the FRBR model and RDA standard consider fundamental. RIMMF and BIBFRAME indicate to software developers a way to think that is consistent with RDA. In Italy, @Cult, a software house and bibliographic agency working for Casalini Libri, has taken on the charge of following and facilitating the transition: OliSuite/WeCat provides an implementation of RDA that integrates vocabularies and ontologies already present in the Web by structuring the information in linked open data.

La filosofia open: paradigma del servizio contemporaneo

The open adjective is declined in several ways: open space, open section, open access, open library, open source, open society...; this demonstrates an open, dynamic philosophy, and a positive relationship between individual and society. COAR and Unesco say: “Open access is a global trend, with policies and practices rapidly being adopted around the world. As the world enters a new era of sustainable development, openness and inclusiveness in scientific research will become increasingly critical. While most governments agree on the underlying principles of open access, there is significant diversity in the way countries have approached its implementation. These differences reflect a range of perspectives, values, and priorities of the different regions. Clearly, there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution to implementing open access”. Open access also to scientific research data; science becomes more useful to society: exchange, collaboration, innovation. The public library is the first implementation of open philosophy. Analysis of institutional repositories and social networks.

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.

Libraries in Italy: a brief overview

The Italian library network is complex and difficult to explain. This article reports some characteristics of this system, that comprises State, university, special, public, school and ecclesiastical libraries, foundations and privately owned structures. An overview of the main historical features is given, as well as present-day major trends, such as education, legislation, new library projects, etc. Concludes with proposals for new national services.

Codice nazionale e linee guida internazionali.: A proposito del recente volume REICAT di Simona Turbanti

The literature on REICAT has been contained; their application was partial in BNI and in the Italian libraries, after seven years of their publication. One reason was the inability to implement the changes introduced by the code with the existing SBN computer system. The structure of the voice is very good. The key points are the precise historical framework, and the comparison between the new code, the previous rules and practice of SBN. It, however, still makes sense to have an Italian code (the only one in the world) in a globalized environment? Or if it is better, and more useful to contribute to the drafting of RDA, already implemented by March 31, 2013, developing our rich cultural heritage and our cataloging tradition on an international scale?