> From: Next generation catalogs for libraries
> [mailto:NGC4LIB_at_LISTSERV.ND.EDU] On Behalf Of Karen Coyle
> Sent: 27 May, 2007 13:30
> To: NGC4LIB_at_LISTSERV.ND.EDU
> Subject: Re: [NGC4LIB] MARC vs XMLMARC
>
> I don't know within LoC
> if there is any other structure that combines the three
> "national" libraries for decision-making.
LoC often works in conjunction with "national" libraries
when proposals are being crafted for MARBI, before they
have been officially sent to MARBI. Right now the German
national library (DNB) is moving to MARC-21. They have a
need to make changes to MARC-21 in the area of Dewey. So
there has been discussions between DNB, LC, and OCLC to
understand the issues and come up with proposals in a
discussion paper to be presented at this upcoming MARBI
session.
LC plays somewhat of a mediating role and helps proposal
seekers in understanding the process, why MARC-21 is the
way it is, what sort of wiggle room there is in the formats
and sometimes indicate alternative approaches for the proposal
seeker to consider. Having been a part of this process for
the requested DNB changes to Dewey, I can say that there is
a fair amount of discussion and decision-making that goes on
behind the scenes before MARBI gets the proposal.
> [mailto:NGC4LIB_at_LISTSERV.ND.EDU] On Behalf Of Andrews, Mark J.
> Sent: 27 May, 2007 16:59
> Subject: Re: [NGC4LIB] LoC - really in control? (was
> "[NGC4LIB] MARC vs XMLMARC")
>
> So LoC in general, and MARBI in
> particular (and not just MARBI - there is NISO, ISO, BISAC,
> SISAC, to name a few) exercise a community-tolerated
> benign-dictatorship with the appearance of democracy - a
> political system which works well for some countries, too.
Mark I decided to answer your comments here since they are
related to my comments in the above post on process. I
think your comments are a harsh criticism without much
merit. I would not consider LC's role or MARBI's to be a
dictatorship with the appearance of democracy.
LC is the steward of the MARC-21 standards. MARBI plays an
advisory role to LC to insure that there are some checks and
balances in place for the standards. There is a process,
that is open, where anyone can participate. Many organizations
depend upon the MARC-21 standards and changing them frequently
without any review process would cause many issues.
I do feel that as more national libraries adopt MARC-21 that
MARBI may need to allow them more of a voice and LC may need
to eventually turn over their stewardship of MARC-21 to MARBI.
This is not a criticism of LC or MARBI, just the reality that
the MARC-21 standards process will eventually need to change
with the demographics of those who are using the standards.
Andy.
Received on Sun May 27 2007 - 16:51:48 EDT