Quoting [email protected]:
See, for instance, the newly-formulated BIBCO standard record <http://www.loc.gov/catdir/pcc/bibco/BSR-Final-Report.pdf> -- a formula less than core in terms of content required -- where the prescription for the uniform title states (for 240, i.,e. uniform title under author's name): "Supply if known or can be easily inferred from the item being cataloged."
One key difference between library cataloging and the web-based concepts in the semantic web work is that the latter sees metadata as being built up as information becomes available. So metadata in a networked environment is additive -- it's not a one-time creation. If one contributor knows the uniform title (Work title), then all linked Manifestations now have access to that title.
Also, it appears to me that the RDA Group 1 relationships mix bibliographic relationships and intellectual relationships. Librarians may excel at noting bibliographic relationships, but certain users, such as professors of literature, will be the best source of information on intellectual relationships. In a networked environment, it may be possible for those experts to provide their own view of the bibliographic universe that interests them. (As often happens, this takes us directly back to Vanevar Bush's Memex and the sharing of links.)
What worries me most about the FRBR WEMI view in which each entity is a record is that it places a nearly impossible burden on the cataloger. Which is why I'm exploring the possibility of a "recordless" view -- which would consist of short statements ("Jane is author of Book") that are each valid, and can be combined with other statements to build up to a complete bibliographic description. I don't know yet if this is possible. It would use semantic web concepts, not the RDA scenario 1, but perhaps scenario 0. It assumes an open bibliographic environment where statements can exist with metadata contributed by others. If I get a clear enough picture in my head, I'll make a drawing!
kc -- Karen Coyle [email protected] http://kcoyle.net ph: 1-510-540-7596 m: 1-510-435-8234 skype: kcoylenet
