Re: [CODE4LIB] creating call number browse
I've done some work this. " What I don't know is whether there are any indexing / SQL / query techniques that could be used to browse forward and backword in an index like this." Depending on what you want to do exactly, yes. Look at Querying Ontologies in Relational Database Systems - ►hu-berlin.de [PDF] S Trissl, U Leser - LECTURE NOTES IN COMPUTER SCIENCE, 2005 - Springer If you need more you're looking at CS literature concerning treatment of graphs, directed graphs, cyclical, transitive closure, etc. This can all be done without to much difficulty but as Nate pointed out updating the data is a problem...I've not tackled that part but there is much literature on dynamic graphs and I'm assuming this could also be adequately solved. > a decent UI is probably going to be a bigger job Yes, that's the real issue. Could call numbers be placed within a hierarchy? Then display this in an outline view (Windows Explorer) that is also item searchable? Seems to me there is structure in the call numbers that is hidden in current UIs. I also think the actual "Call number" should disappear and replaced by a textual label describing what the numbers mean. Fun stuff to think about... Charles-Antoine -Original Message- From: Code for Libraries [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Emily Lynema Sent: September 17, 2008 11:46 AM To: CODE4LIB@LISTSERV.ND.EDU Subject: [CODE4LIB] creating call number browse Hey all, I would love to tackle the issue of creating a really cool call number browse tool that utilizes book covers, etc. However, I'd like to do this outside of my ILS/OPAC. What I don't know is whether there are any indexing / SQL / query techniques that could be used to browse forward and backword in an index like this. Has anyone else worked on developing a tool like this outside of the OPAC? I guess I would be perfectly happy even if it was something I could build directly on top of the ILS database and its indexes (we use SirsiDynix Unicorn). I wanted to throw a feeler out there before trying to dream up some wild scheme on my own. -emily P.S. The version of BiblioCommons released at Oakville Public Library has a sweet call number browse function accessible from the full record page. I would love to know know how that was accomplished. http://opl.bibliocommons.com/item/show/1413841_mars -- Emily Lynema Systems Librarian for Digital Projects Information Technology, NCSU Libraries 919-513-8031 [EMAIL PROTECTED] No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.169 / Virus Database: 270.6.21/1674 - Release Date: 17/09/2008 9:33 AM
[CODE4LIB] Thanks for the help and support from libraries
I had recently posted a "HELP!!!" request concerning the difficulty I'm having getting raw data from a library collection and its associated subject authority files. I was touched by haw many of you answered me with offers of data or locations where I could get some. I had been adamantly warmed by faculty not to expect support from our local libraries. Turns out library managements I've contacted have given me positive responses...I have no data yet but it seems wheels are turning. I feel humbled by the experience and am reminded how local politics can easily cloud one's (i.e., my) judgment. Some felt it necessary to warn me I might be stepping into a world of pain by trying to build an interactive visual LCSH structure. I've read and appreciated the warnings/related articles (McGrath in Code4Lib, inkdroid pointing to two Dykstra articles in 1988 Lib Journals, any others?). Research often means tinkering, there seems to be much opportunity for that with LCSH. I'm naively looking forward to developing "something" which dramatically increases the visibility/usability of subject browsing and I'll be sure to share it with this community if and when I do. Thanks again for your patience, Charles-Antoine Julien Ph.D Candidate School of Information Studies McGill University
[CODE4LIB] Looking for Bib and LC subject authority data
A kind fellow on NGC4Lib suggested I mention this here. I'm developing a 3D "fly-through" interface for an LCSH organized collection but I'm having difficulty finding a library willing to "give" me a subset of their data (i.e., subject headings (broad to narrow terms) and the bib records to which they have been assigned). They just don't see why they should help me. Their value added isn't clear to them since this is experimental and I have no wish turn this into a business (I like to build and test solutions...selling them isn't my piece of pie). I'm planning to import the data into Access or SQL Server (depending how much I get) and partly normalize the bib records so subject terms for each item are in a separate one-to-many table. I also need the authority data to establish where each subject term (and its associated bib records) resides in the broad to narrow term hierarchy...this is more useful in the sciences which seems to have 4-6 levels deep. Jonathan Rochkind (kind fellow in question) suggested the following -I could access data directly through Z39.5... -I could "take" LC subject authority data in MARC format from a certain grey-area-legal source -I could take bib records (and their associated LCSH terms) from http://simile.mit.edu/wiki/Dataset_Collection Particularly: http://simile.mit.edu/rdf-test-data/barton/compressed/ In particular, the "Barton" collection. That will be in the MODS format, which will actually be easier to work with than library standard MARC. Or http://www.archive.org/details/marc_records_scriblio_net Obviously I'm not looking forward to parsing MARC data although I've heard there are scripts for this. Additional suggestions and/or comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a bunch, Charles-Antoine Julien Ph.D Candidate School of Information Studies McGill University
