**2.1 The BIBFRAME model**

The newest BIBFRAME model, version 2.0, consists of three core class entities [5, 6]. These are defined below:


As these entities and their definitions make clear, BIBFRAME, like FRBR, separates the intellectual content of a resource (creative work) from its physical

*Linked Open Data - Applications, Trends and Future Developments*

and use it in novel ways.

produced elsewhere.

that result in a graph of interconnected entities.

**2. History and overview of BIBFRAME**

and metadata professionals and to establish interconnections to related resources across the Web [2]. Newer technologies, such as developed by the World Wide Web Consortium's (W3C) linked open data (LOD) initiative under the banner of the Semantic Web, offer libraries the potential to permit library data to be read and indexed by major online search engines, enhancing user access to authoritative sources of bibliographic data, as has been the library community's historic role to create. As the World Wide Web Consortium defines it, the Semantic Web "is an extension of the current web in which information is given well-defined meaning, better enabling computers and people to work in cooperation" [3]. In other words, the Semantic Web is a method whereby those who are creating content on the Web can markup this content with specific types of metadata in such a way that machines, meaning Web browsers and other applications, can better understand it

Already a number of prominent libraries have developed projects that have published library data that are in compliance with Semantic Web principles, including the Swedish National Library, the French National Library (BnF), the British Library, the Spanish National Library, the German National Library as well as the OCLC [2]. Additionally, implementation of Semantic Web technologies like W3C's Resource Description Framework (RDF) within the library community holds the potential for enriching user experience by permitting users to explore the diverse interconnections between resources through optimizing the machine readability of library data. Lastly, by altering the cataloging process to conform to LOD standards, libraries are afforded the opportunity to reduce cataloging costs through a reduction in duplicate cataloging efforts and to better leverage existing bibliographic data

In response to these challenges and opportunities, the Library of Congress (LOC) has developed a high-level model of bibliographic description called the Bibliographic Framework Initiative or BIBFRAME, which aims not only to replace MARC but to provide a framework for optimizing library data within the networked environment. BIBFRAME is essentially an entity-relationship model which uses the Web as architecture and a Resource Description Framework/Extensible Markup Language (RDF/ XML) serialization for the description of bibliographic resources. It involves a radical reconceptualization of bibliographic description, eliminating the static, bibliographic record as the product of cataloging in favor of a series of machine readable statements

The purpose of this paper will be to examine the development of BIBFRAME through a comprehensive review of relevant literature. We will begin with an overview of BIBFRAME by LOC, outlining the history and structure of the model [in Section 2]. We will then examine the relationship of BIBFRAME to other relevant bibliographic models and content standards including MARC [in Section 3.1], Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records (FRBR) [in Section 3.2], Resource Description and Access (RDA) [in Section 3.3], and Semantic Web [in Section 3.4]. We will highlight areas of compatibility as well as areas of incompatibility when known. Then, we will end the paper with some concluding remarks.

Officially established in 2011 by the Library of Congress, the Bibliographic Framework Initiative, or BIBFRAME, is a high-level model designed to facilitate the bibliographic description of information resources as well as the exchange of bibliographic data in the networked environment. In 2012 the Library of Congress contracted Zepheria, a consulting firm that specializes in the deployment of semantic

**2**

realization (instance). However, instead of FRBR's four entity classes (work, expression, manifestation, and item), BIBFRAME models only three. Thus, although BIBFRAME and FRBR are conceptually related, it appears that BIBFRAME has simplified the number of entity classes required for bibliographic description.

Below (**Figure 1**) is a graphical depiction of the BIBFRAME model that highlights the relationships between these core entities.

While presenting the evolution of the latest version of BIBFRAME 2.0 from the previous version, McCallum reports the participation of vendors in linked data: "Another major step is now beginning to happen as the vendors who supply many of the services in the community have started to explore linked data, and they are the community's essential innovators" [7, p. 84].

BIBFRAME offers a significant amount of flexibility with resource description. However, per the BIBFRAME documentation, other relationships can also be described. Namely, works can be related to works, instances to instances, works to instances, and instances to works [8]. Beyond the main classes of entities, BIBFRAME also includes a number of properties that are related to each entity. For instance, the creative Work class contains properties that, as one researcher notes, reflect traditional bibliographic elements such as title, creator, language, etc. [9] as well as specific resource Work types that can be used to increase the granularity of a work's description. These properties include resource-type concepts like audio, text, and movingimage.

The instance class contains properties which serve to describe the physical "embodiment" of resources. These properties include terms that overlap with those of the work class such as title and creator, as well as those that describe the aspects of a resource at the manifestation level, such as publisher [9]. Although there is overlap in terminology between the work and instance class, the modeling of these properties in RDF/XML serves as a means to disambiguate terms with the same name through the assignment of a specific URI. Thus, despite identical text names, the use of URIs serves to identify properties within their specific classes.

**5**

**models**

*BIBFRAME Linked Data: A Conceptual Study on the Prevailing Content Standards and Data…*

To put it plainly, BIBFRAME attempts to be content standard and model agnostic. Its framework is intended to be flexible enough to accommodate existing models (FRBR, MARC, etc.) and content standards (RDA, VRA, DACS) as well as models and standards that have yet to be developed. Thus, it appears that BIBFRAME appears to be poised to provide the library community with a new model of bibliographic description and exchange that takes full advantage of the Web as architecture. Furthermore, the model also promises to make library data more visible on the Web, not only to the benefit of users looking for library resources but also for re-use in contexts outside of the library community. Finally, it appears that BIBFRAME will permit the full description of relationships between and among resources,

It is worth noting that the high degree of flexibility and extensibility built into the model comes with a cost. The under-specification of the model, which is what lends it flexibility, means that there are no built in mechanisms within the model or its RDF schemas that guide and constrain the generation of BIBFRAME data [10]. Nevertheless, the initiative proposes the use of BIBFRAME profiles to address this issue. A BIBFRAME profile can be understood as "a document, or set of documents, that puts a Profile (e.g. local cataloging practices) into a broader context of functional requirements, domain models, guidelines on syntax and usage, and possibly data formats" [10]. In other words, a BIBFRAME Profile serves as a kind template for the generation of BIBFRAME descriptions through the establishment of metadata structure and value constraints. BIBFRAME data can be validated against relevant profiles in order to ensure conformance to an established metadata

However, it should be noted that BIBFRAME profiles exist externally to the model and must be developed within the context of local needs and practices, likely within an application used by cataloguers to capture bibliographic data. In other words, a BIBFRAME profile matches the metadata structures needed within a given context. As long as the overall structure of the data conforms to the BIBFRAME model, then that data should remain interoperable on the Web. Thus, it appears that the initiative is attempting to balance the need for a flexible structure within the model itself and the need to contain that flexibility within a viable framework that

The study in [11] compares locally created Dublin Core metadata scheme-based

application profiles from a number of institutions and digital projects (n = 8). The results of the study present the commonalities and variations of locally developed application profiles and shed light on the effects of resource type and subject domain on naming conventions. The experiences and lessons drawn from the implementation processes of locally developed metadata application profiles are invaluable in the sense that they offer insights and efficient mechanisms for metadata planning and reuse. Thus, the study may shed light on the development of

**3. Relationship of BIBFRAME to prevailing content standards and** 

It is the intention of the BIBFRAME initiative to design the model in such a way that it not only can serve as the standard encoding and interchange format of bibliographic data within the library community but also to be a model for integrating

can produce consistent and reliable data at the local level.

BIBFRAME application profiles in local practice settings.

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.91849*

enhancing user experience of library information.

**2.2 BIBFRAME profiles**

structure.

**Figure 1.** *Graphical depiction of BIBFRAME model [5].*

*BIBFRAME Linked Data: A Conceptual Study on the Prevailing Content Standards and Data… DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.91849*

To put it plainly, BIBFRAME attempts to be content standard and model agnostic. Its framework is intended to be flexible enough to accommodate existing models (FRBR, MARC, etc.) and content standards (RDA, VRA, DACS) as well as models and standards that have yet to be developed. Thus, it appears that BIBFRAME appears to be poised to provide the library community with a new model of bibliographic description and exchange that takes full advantage of the Web as architecture. Furthermore, the model also promises to make library data more visible on the Web, not only to the benefit of users looking for library resources but also for re-use in contexts outside of the library community. Finally, it appears that BIBFRAME will permit the full description of relationships between and among resources, enhancing user experience of library information.

### **2.2 BIBFRAME profiles**

*Linked Open Data - Applications, Trends and Future Developments*

lights the relationships between these core entities.

community's essential innovators" [7, p. 84].

and movingimage.

realization (instance). However, instead of FRBR's four entity classes (work, expression, manifestation, and item), BIBFRAME models only three. Thus, although BIBFRAME and FRBR are conceptually related, it appears that BIBFRAME has simplified the number of entity classes required for bibliographic description. Below (**Figure 1**) is a graphical depiction of the BIBFRAME model that high-

While presenting the evolution of the latest version of BIBFRAME 2.0 from the previous version, McCallum reports the participation of vendors in linked data: "Another major step is now beginning to happen as the vendors who supply many of the services in the community have started to explore linked data, and they are the

BIBFRAME offers a significant amount of flexibility with resource description. However, per the BIBFRAME documentation, other relationships can also be described. Namely, works can be related to works, instances to instances, works to instances, and instances to works [8]. Beyond the main classes of entities, BIBFRAME also includes a number of properties that are related to each entity. For instance, the creative Work class contains properties that, as one researcher notes, reflect traditional bibliographic elements such as title, creator, language, etc. [9] as well as specific resource Work types that can be used to increase the granularity of a work's description. These properties include resource-type concepts like audio, text,

The instance class contains properties which serve to describe the physical "embodiment" of resources. These properties include terms that overlap with those of the work class such as title and creator, as well as those that describe the aspects of a resource at the manifestation level, such as publisher [9]. Although there is overlap in terminology between the work and instance class, the modeling of these properties in RDF/XML serves as a means to disambiguate terms with the same name through the assignment of a specific URI. Thus, despite identical text names,

the use of URIs serves to identify properties within their specific classes.

**4**

**Figure 1.**

*Graphical depiction of BIBFRAME model [5].*

It is worth noting that the high degree of flexibility and extensibility built into the model comes with a cost. The under-specification of the model, which is what lends it flexibility, means that there are no built in mechanisms within the model or its RDF schemas that guide and constrain the generation of BIBFRAME data [10]. Nevertheless, the initiative proposes the use of BIBFRAME profiles to address this issue. A BIBFRAME profile can be understood as "a document, or set of documents, that puts a Profile (e.g. local cataloging practices) into a broader context of functional requirements, domain models, guidelines on syntax and usage, and possibly data formats" [10]. In other words, a BIBFRAME Profile serves as a kind template for the generation of BIBFRAME descriptions through the establishment of metadata structure and value constraints. BIBFRAME data can be validated against relevant profiles in order to ensure conformance to an established metadata structure.

However, it should be noted that BIBFRAME profiles exist externally to the model and must be developed within the context of local needs and practices, likely within an application used by cataloguers to capture bibliographic data. In other words, a BIBFRAME profile matches the metadata structures needed within a given context. As long as the overall structure of the data conforms to the BIBFRAME model, then that data should remain interoperable on the Web. Thus, it appears that the initiative is attempting to balance the need for a flexible structure within the model itself and the need to contain that flexibility within a viable framework that can produce consistent and reliable data at the local level.

The study in [11] compares locally created Dublin Core metadata scheme-based application profiles from a number of institutions and digital projects (n = 8). The results of the study present the commonalities and variations of locally developed application profiles and shed light on the effects of resource type and subject domain on naming conventions. The experiences and lessons drawn from the implementation processes of locally developed metadata application profiles are invaluable in the sense that they offer insights and efficient mechanisms for metadata planning and reuse. Thus, the study may shed light on the development of BIBFRAME application profiles in local practice settings.
