BIBFRAME Data Model for Union Catalog for Thai Academic Libraries

Abstract

            This study intends to determine the conceptual framework and data model for developing bibliography ontology of the union catalog for Thai academic libraries (UCTAL).  The research is divided into 3 parts:  1) examination of the data model of the UCTAL database and the constraints of MARC data structure, 2) data model development using BIBFRAME conceptual framework, and 3) the BIBFRAME data model testing from 20,000 data retrieved from the UCTAL database.

               The findings reveal that the data model and structure of the UCTAL database currently consists of 5 data groups:  1) leader, 2) MARC21, 3) control field, 4) variable field, and 5) subfield comprising 32 data elements.  The development of the BIBFRAME data model consists of 3 main classes:  1) work consisting of 11 subclasses, 2) instance including 13 subclasses, and 3) annotation containing 9 subclasses.  As a result, these subclasses of the 3 main classes are accounted for 33 subclasses.  The testing and evaluation of the data model accuracy indicates errors in the 2 out of 41 aspects:  1) having one class without types or instance information, 2) unavailability of information in the classes which should have contained copyright or agreement/condition of use.  As for the data model effectiveness testing from 20,000 sample records, it is found that no error is discovered.