FRBR and LibraryThing - Project with Dustin Mass for Org of Info Class

1. Implementation of FRBR Relationships
in LibraryThing
Brian Maass and Dustin Mass

2. FRBR
Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records

Published by the International Federation of Library Associations in 1998

Conceptual model used to:
− Define user tasks
− Identify bibliographic relationships between resources

Defines bibliographic relationships based on interactions among three
“Group Entities”
Taylor, A.G., & Joudrey, D.N. (2009). The organization of information (3rd ed.). Westport, CT: Libraries
Unlimited.
Tillett, B. (2003). What is FRBR? A conceptual model for the bibliographic universe. Retrieved from:
http://www.loc.gov/cds/downloads/FRBR.PDF

3. FRBR
Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records
Group 1:

W — Work

E — Expression

M — Manifestation

I — Item
**LibraryThing recently implemented Work-to-Work Relationships**
Taylor, A.G., & Joudrey, D.N. (2009). The organization of information (3rd ed.). Westport, CT: Libraries
Unlimited.

4. What is LibraryThing?

A website where people can catalog their books

A social network for readers

Also incorporated into:
− An enhanced discovery layer for most library OPACs
(LibraryThing for Libraries)
− An app providing a mobile discovery interface to most library
OPACs (Library Anywhere)
About LibraryThing. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.librarything.com/about

5. What is LibraryThing?
Social Network

Build a Profile

Share and compare your collection with friends

Write book reviews

Create/join groups

Join discussion forums

Suggest books to friends

View local libraries, bookstores and literary events
About LibraryThing. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.librarything.com/about

6. What is LibraryThing?
Social Network
A short introduction to LibraryThing. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.librarything.com/quickstart.php

7. What is LibraryThing?
Cataloging

Users enter title, author or ISBN

Bibliographic Data is acquired from Library of
Congress, Amazon or over 690 libraries that use the
Z39.50 interface to their catalogs

User can then edit book data and add personal details

Also allows user to add ratings and tags

View statistics and text clouds related to books in your
collection
About LibraryThing. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.librarything.com/about

8. What is LibraryThing?
Cataloging
Press Information. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.librarything.com/press/

9. How Does Library Thing Use FRBR?

Work to Work Relationships:
− Contains/Is Contained in another work
− Parodies
− Non-series Sequel/Prequel
− Reference Guides
− Inspired by another work
− Commentary on another work
− Study Notes
− Teaching Guides
W. Denton. (2011, February 17). LibraryThing Tackles FRBR [Web log comment]. Retrieved from
http://www.frbr.org/2011/2/17/librarything-tackles-frbr

10. How Does Library Thing Use FRBR?

Allows Users to Manipulate Relationships:
W. Denton. (2011, February 17). LibraryThing Tackles FRBR [Web log comment].
Retrieved from http://www.frbr.org/2011/2/17/librarything-tackles-frbr

11. How Does Library Thing Use FRBR?
Work-to-Work Example:
− J.K. Rowling, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone”
− J.K. Rowling, “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone”
− M. Gerber, “Barry Trotter and the Unauthorized Parody”
− R. Highfield, “The Science of Harry Potter: How Magic
Really Works”
− SparkNotes, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone”
− E.D. Schafer, “Beacham's Sourcebook for Teaching
Young Adult Fiction: Exploring Harry Potter”
− J.K. Rowling, “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets”

12. How Does Library Thing Use FRBR?
Library Thing. (2011). Harry Potter and the sorcerer's stone. Retrieved from
http://www.librarything.com/work/5403381

13. How Do Others Use FRBR?
Most Commercial ILSs are working toward FRBR
concepts, but have not widely implemented them.
Some Open Source ILSs are implementing FRBR-
based hierarchies. eXtensible Catalog is one
example. They do not include work-to-work
relationships yet.
Tim Spalding of LibraryThing humbly claims they
“might turn out to be the most comprehensive
implementation of FRBR, and an inspiration and help
to the library world.” (Denton, 2011)
W. Denton. (2011, February 17). LibraryThing Tackles FRBR [Web log comment]. Retrieved
from http://www.frbr.org/2011/2/17/librarything-tackles-frbr
Bowen, J., & Lindahl, D. (2011, April 8). RDA and the eXtensible Catalog [PDF document].
Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/1802/14588