Retrospective National Bibliographies

Datasheets - Introduction

The CERL Working Group on Retrospective National Bibliographies feels the lack of a uniform description model for describing Retrospective National Bibliographies: who is responsible, where does the data come from, what is included and what is excluded, what is the state of completeness, and so on. The Working Group is now working on a model for a data sheet that would capture this information in a uniform way.

The aims for the datasheets are to

The Working Group is using this webpage to work with the community to decide which pieces of information are relevant, and which elements should be made mandatory

The model for the datasheet, below, is structured in 4 parts:

  1. Basic/General information about the database
  2. Contents of the bibliography
  3. Detailed structural information about the database
  4. Networking issues for the database

Eventually, this is to be translated into an Excel spreadsheet or Google document for each bibliography

Datasheet DRAFT model

Part 1 – Basic/General information about the database

Name of the bibliography

Address/ Link to masterdatabase

Organisation(s) responsible) for the bibliography

Current status of the bibliography: In progress (give number of records, describe: e.g. percentage of coverage, annual growth, missing parts), Project completed, but updates possible, Closed project (Number of records)/

Method for populating/compiling the bibliography: Book in hand cataloguing, Individual uploads, Bulk uploads, Conversion of printed bibliographies (which) and status of editors (employed, collegial, voluntary)

Part 2 – Contents of the bibliography

Brief descriptive overview of the dataset (“At a glance”) - max. 100 words

What data range is covered:

What geographical area is covered:

What languages are covered?

Which authors are included, in addition to the nation’s authors?

Which subjects are covered?

Formats covered:

Digital information and content:

Copies/Items:

Part 3 – Detailed structural information on the bibliographic master-database

Editing interface: is there only one editing environment, or may RNB records be edited in several environments?
Data format : MARC21, PICA, ALEPH, Own format, Other
Description Model/Cataloguing rules: RDA, ISBD-A, AACR, Own rules (provide a link to the rules, if possible)
Export format /Services interfaces : MARC21, RDF (linked open data), SRU, OAI-PMH, Z 39.50, Other (please specify)
Downloads

Standard identifiers:

Authority files:
If your RNB uses authority files, for each instance below, specify which ID-numbers, whether they are standardized within the database, standardized beyond the database

Other standardized information and Thesauri:

Part 4 – Networking issues for the bibliographic database
The records of this database have been contributed to the following databases:

For each specify whether the whole data set or a partial dataset has been shared with the databases listed above. And for each database indicate whether URLs have been added to your records.

The same copies are described (perhaps with different records) in the following databases

For each specify whether all relevant records are covered by these databases, or whether this is work in progess.

The following bibliographies are consistently/occasionally quoted in the bibliographic records, indicate way of standardization and field

For each bibliography indicate whether URLs have been added to your records.