Functional requirements for bibliographic records: an investigation of two prototypes
Program: electronic library and information systems
ISSN: 0033-0337
Article publication date: 2 October 2007
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to establish how the Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records (FRBR) conceptual model, which holds a lot of potential in theory, works in practice. It also aims to identify, and if possible, give solutions to problems found in two of the existing prototypes.
Design/methodology/approach
An independent evaluation and comparison of two of the most recent FRBR‐based prototypes, OCLC FictionFinder and the LibraryLabs, was carried out in January 2007.
Findings
FictionFinder focuses almost exclusively on the concept of work, while the LibraryLabs prototype applies an FRBR‐like structure only as part of a larger group of experiments. Neither of the prototypes fully follows FRBR, owing to issues associated with current cataloguing practice and the model itself. These barriers also cause some practical shortcomings for these prototypes, however new results displays clearly enhance the user experience.
Research limitations/implications
The prototypes may not be representative of the whole population of FRBR‐based implementations. Also, technical aspects of the implementations were not taken into account, as user experience was given full priority.
Practical implications
The identified problems and any given solutions should help not only the authors of the two prototypes, but also other researches in the field.
Originality/value
This paper offers a rare published independent evaluation of two FRBR‐based prototypes, giving pointers towards improvement and establishing the position of current FRBR implementation relative to what is expected in the future.
Keywords
Citation
Pisanski, J. and Žumer, M. (2007), "Functional requirements for bibliographic records: an investigation of two prototypes", Program: electronic library and information systems, Vol. 41 No. 4, pp. 400-417. https://doi.org/10.1108/00330330710831602
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2007, Emerald Group Publishing Limited