On Tue, Mar 9, 2010 at 1:31 PM, Karen Coyle <lists_at_kcoyle.net> wrote:
> Part of the problem here is the "full record replace" aspect of the MARC
> record. We need systems that can share entities, not full records, so that a
> change to an author doesn't mean that millions of bibliographic records
> around the world have to be replaced. The MARC "unit record" model is a
> hindrance, and changing that is even a bigger change than having libraries
> get their cataloging from someone other than OCLC.
This sums up the problem perfectly. Making our records available for
each other to download does nothing to address that they're based on
an antiquated and inefficient model. A model that taken out of the
current environment and context makes no sense to build an alternative
upon.
Of course, it's a fairly profitable model (for one organization, at
least) and extremely painful and expensive to "fix".
-Ross.
Received on Tue Mar 09 2010 - 13:46:00 EST