Hahn, Harvey wrote:
> When OCLC analyzed its database a number of years ago related to FRBR,
> it found that only 18% of the bib records could take advantage of FRBR.
>
When people mention this type of number, they forget an important fact:
Those works which exist in more than one version are, almost by
definition, the most popular works. The works people want most are the
ones most likely to to exist in more than one version (translations,
audio books, collections, etc. etc.). So 18% of bib records almost
certainly represents more than 18% of books consulted or circulated or
likely to make a searching user happy. How much more, I'd only be guessing.
But I do have the impression that when data is collected on what bugs
users most about our catalogs, the 'multiple versions problem' is almost
always very high on the list.
Jonathan
> The remainder of the database were one-time works by creators in a
> single medium, for which FRBR is unnecessary. Admittedly, FRBR is an
> attractive way to organize multiple works, perhaps in multiple
> manifestations and such, for prolific and/or famous creators, but I
> think the fact that it may not do that for 4 out of every 5 titles in a
> typical catalog says something, too.
>
> Harvey
>
> --
> ===========================================
> Harvey E. Hahn, Manager, Technical Services Department
> Arlington Heights (Illinois) Memorial Library
> 847/506-2644 - FX: 847/506-2650 - Email: hhahn(at)ahml(dot)info
> OML & Scripts web pages: http://www.ahml.info/oml/
> Personal web pages: http://users.anet.com/~packrat
>
>
--
Jonathan Rochkind
Digital Services Software Engineer
The Sheridan Libraries
Johns Hopkins University
410.516.8886
rochkind (at) jhu.edu
Received on Wed Sep 05 2007 - 11:40:57 EDT