Post on 19-Dec-2015
Cambridge University Library
From Data To Discovery
Pete Girling – Systems Librarian, libraries@cambridgeHuw Jones - Systems Librarian, libraries@cambridge
Ed Chamberlain - Systems Librarian, Cambridge University Library
Cambridge University Library
DATA ISSUES
• Problems with the current model
• Implications
• Solutions already in place for new records
• Solutions for existing/migrated records
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Problems with the current model
1) Standard of data often poor/inconsistent
• Quality of records in the databases ranges from excellent to very poor
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THE GOOD…
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THE BAD…
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… AND THE UGLY
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• “Short” records initially created by libraries• Intended upgrade to full records not materialised
in all libraries – lack of resources • No minimum bibliographic standard until 2006• MARC validation in Voyager extremely basic
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2) Duplication of data
Factors inherited from previous system:• Consortium model, not true Union Catalogue• Record for each title held by a library• Record sharing not possible in old system• Massive duplication
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3) Multi-database model confusing
“Dependent libraries”?
“F-M”?
“Catalogue”?
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• In previous system records all in one database
• On migration to Voyager concerns led to records being split into 6 databases
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4) Lack of authority control
• LC authority file – over 6 million records
• l@c team don’t have time/resources to load into 6 databases and maintain
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1) Data discovery issues– Records lacking certain fields/data become “invisible”
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Implications
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2) Data management issues– Multiple records to maintain instead of one
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3) Deduplication issues– Short/incorrectly coded records lack matchpoints
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Solutions Already In Place
1) Bibliographic Standard• Unanimously voted into being by libraries• Specifies minimum fields new records must have• Intended to create minimum level of quality
But…
• Not all records created since January 2006 meet the Standard
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Solutions Already In Place
MARC Checking program• Checks coding/punctuation in records created in
last 7 days• Emails list of errors to relevant library• Provides validation Voyager doesn’t
But…• Corrections not always done
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2) Record Sharing• Possible in Voyager• Now possible for all libraries using Voyager• Only need one bib per title within a database• Recommended practice
But…• Not practiced as much as it could be
Solutions Already In Place
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3) “Communal cataloguing”?
• Bibs not owned by individual libraries but by one generic database-wide library
• Editing rights for all cataloguers
• Working well for “Serials” records
Solutions Already In Place
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Overall problem:
• Only apply to/work for new records
• What about existing/migrated records?