-----Original Message-----
From: Next generation catalogs for libraries on behalf of monica berko
Sent: Wed 5/30/2007 10:24 PM
To: NGC4LIB_at_listserv.nd.edu
Subject: [NGC4LIB] Global Coverage
> I assume that the readership is more geographically diverse though. Some stats from the
> subscription list might be useful?
To add some stats, you can count one Dane into the readership :)
>In many cases these national catalogues have been extended to
>
> - include more non-published material (online and physical) by
> aggregating collection 'catalogues' from other types of collecting
> institutions
> - include more article and item level entries
> - provide easier ways for users to "get" resources
> - include additional search targets (eg OCLC, other union catalogues)
Additionally here in denmark it provides the basis for inter-library loans that can be done by patrons themselves through bibliotek.dk
>It appears that OCLC has been proactive recently in establishing agreements
>with national libraries that will allow them to add these national-level
>aggregations to the uber-aggregation that is Worldcat - so that the
>adjective 'world' is not so misleading.
It's important to note that not all countries use MARC21, but rather some national standard. And the knowhow of Marc Conversion probably isn't common knowledge at all libraries, which gives the National Catalog providers an technological edge towards the international library community.
>OCLC is doing a great job in raising the visibility of library resources in
>the Web 2.0 environment - building the aggregation of supply to match the
>aggregation of demand occurring because of Google, Yahoo, Amazon and
>Wikipedia. Talis are doing the same in the UK context but I am not aware of
>what is happening in the rest of Europe or in Africa, Asia, and South
>America.
Sources tell me that Talis has things going on in other parts of europe too... ;-)
> I believe that new models of lending will soon follow to match, options that
> will break down geographic barriers further.
ILL loans in Scandinavia are operational already...
> However, if it is only OCLC that has the whole aggregation in its database,
> how can we provide find and get services for niche purposes that rely on
> different indexing and ranking mechanisms than used by Worldcat and yet be
> global in reach. Can we still expose our national collections to other
> aggregators to reach a different audience under these agreements eg through
> a European library search service, or a Chinese language library search that
> includes holding records from every library with a Chinese language
> collection ?
I don't think that it'll be possible to create a good "one size fits all" model that will keep everybody happy. I think that just the mere fact that you might end up hosting your own data in a different country, and thereby a different set of laws will be holding alot of libraries back. Wagering a legal battle about the rights/"terms of use" of your data might be a tough battle, but to wage that battle overseas and under different legislation is much worse.
I'd say that there's a kind of "Contract fear", that you've not managed to spot that one line, which gives total control of your material to a thirdparty, and effectively disowns you of your catalog. (We all know how scary a read some software EULA's can be). Same thing goes with OCLC's worldcat: Can you really be sure what you're signing up for, when the contracts aren't in your own language and based on legislation you don't even know ?
- Bernd.
>Monica
>---------------------
>monica.berko_at_gmail.com
>(currently on interchange at Library and Archives Canada)
>Director, Collections Infrastructure
>IT Division
>National Library of Australia
Received on Wed May 30 2007 - 17:04:23 EDT