I do myself think that z39.50 is an unneccesary monster to work with, and probably isn't neccesary. But if there is a good API in general, someone else can always add a z39.50 gateway on top, using indexdata tools possibly.
But what IS desirable is MARC format, absolutely. There is so much software that deals in MARC, having MARC makes things much more convenient. Even if for a given record you only have basic data, that basic data can still be translated to a basic (non-AACR2) MARC record. (If you have a better format(s) than MARC, by all means I'm not saying ONLY Marc should be provided -- but including Marc in the arsenal is very convenient for library developers). Jonathan ________________________________________ From: [email protected] [[email protected]] On Behalf Of MJ Suhonos [[email protected]] Sent: Monday, May 10, 2010 9:07 PM To: Open Library -- technical discussion Subject: Re: [ol-tech] Z39.50 access? >>> Why do you want z39.50 access to Open Library, what system are you >>> trying to integrate with, what problem are you trying to solve? >> >> How about allowing libraries to access the data they so generously >> volunteered time and money to give Open Library, at high and >> continuing risk of getting sued by OCLC, and for which they have >> received nothing in return but another website designed to replace >> them? > > I'm trying to understand the problem that David is working on so I can > help him. The reason I asked the question is because maybe David's > library system is able to import formats other than MARC records. I'd say it's a fair bet that any library looking to pull data from anywhere else to integrate into their catalogue or otherwise enhance their records can *only* import MARC (and likely not even MARCXML) via Z39.50. David may have some other purpose which I'd love to hear about, though. In the interest of trying to encourage more collegial discussion between two of the more progressive library-oriented projects going, what *would* be helpful is a roadmap of what export schemas/formats, API plans, etc. Open Library is moving towards. I have to agree with Tim that libraries aligning themselves with Open Library is a political risk, although I wouldn't have phrased it the same way. Having a sense of Open Library's technical plans would help libraries strategize more effectively. MJ _______________________________________________ Ol-tech mailing list [email protected] http://mail.archive.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/ol-tech To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send email to [email protected] _______________________________________________ Ol-tech mailing list [email protected] http://mail.archive.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/ol-tech To unsubscribe from this mailing list, send email to [email protected]
