Cat Among the Cataloguers

Abstract

The clearest message received when surveying both non-users and users alike was: “Remind us that you are there, and then we will use you more!” (Houen, 2011).

Gone are the days when public library collections comprised of only physical print materials, and when our customers used the library in person, yet our catalogues and their underlying bibliographic data have remained fundamentally the same.

It’s no longer viable for libraries to simply maintain information resources for customers to access. We have to make the information visible to seekers where they begin their search, on the web.

City Libraries is the second largest public library service in Australia. We have over 1 million MARC and Dublin Core records waiting to be further discovered. While several public libraries in the United States have successfully implemented Linked Data initiatives in Australia, public libraries, and libraries in general, are cautiously watching international developments.

This paper explores the defining of City Libraries’ road map for the journey towards transitioning from the old document-centric bibliographic model to a more data-centric model - Linked Data. Key short-term impact trends driving this journey are increasing the value of the customer experience and ensuring City Libraries are more relevant and accessible in the eyes of our community.

Our journey begins in a moment of uncomfortable turmoil, knowing we need to forge a new path, unsure where the path might lead, or even what it looks like. This paper will discuss the barriers implementing Linked Data in our environment, issues relating to data standards, management and delivery, and how to achieve a structured implementation to get the most value from the possibilities and potential of Linked Data.