Friday, June 16, 2006

FRBRizing and Ranganathan pins

FRBR (usually pronounced "furbur") is a conceptual model for relationships between the stuff you find in a library catalog. It stands for Functional Requirements of Bibliographic records. The FRBR model was developed in the 1990's based on research into the nature of the relationships between works. A work is an intellectual or artistic creation, and is purely abstract. In a sense, a work is like a geometric figure. Works come into existence in expressions, which are also abstract. We encounter an expression in when it is embodied, or manifested in a physical or digital medium. This is called a manifestation. Any given embodiment of a manifestation is an item. So, for instance, the Lord of the Rings is a work. My paperback copy published by Ballentine Books and my hardback published by Houghton Mifflin are two specific items of two manifestations of one expression, the 1966 2nd edition of LotR. My paperback copy of Return of the King is an item of a manifestation of a different expression because it is an arguably pirated version of the original edition. My hardback edition published by Houghton Mifflin and illustrated by Alan Lee (did I mention that I collect editions of LotR) contains the second edition text but is possibly a different expression because of the addition of significant artistic content manifested in Lee's illustrations. My cd dramatization by Mindspring is again a different expression of the original work because it is abridged and dramatized. By the time you get to Peter Jackson's movies you have probably moved out of the hierarchical relationship of work to expression and into a lateral relationship between works (certainly the opinion of many fans of the books and generally the opinion of theorists on the nature of a work). As you might gather from the name FRBR is concerned with how bibliographic records work and what it is we need them to do. Usually you want a record to be detailed enough to tell you whether or not it is what you are looking for. However the information needs to be presented in such a way that one search can access all the expressions of a given work available in the catalog so that you can choose the one that best meets your needs or interests. The FRBR model tries to systematize what is involved on the cataloging end so that can be accomplished. In regard to the comment that brought this up, "FRBRizing" something is describing it in a way that shows its relationships within the FRBR hierarchy. I FRBRized Bored of the Rings for a contest on the FRBR blog, www.frbr.org. I came in second (out of 4) and won a book and a Ranganathan pin. The pin is a very small orange pin with a picture of S.R. Ranganathan on it. He was an Indian mathematician and library scientist whom I understand to be the Melvil Dewey of India. Here's a link to the Wikipedia entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S._R._Ranganathan . I believe I've got a better bookmarked on my computer at Trinity but I'm not there. Here's a link to the pin: http://www.reanimationlibrary.org/pages/pins.htm . My pin is currently being proudly worn by Mr. Peabody who hangs from my backpack.

31 comments:

Lydia said...

next post, please blog in English. Thank you.

Tooz said...

That WAS English, only Everett-English, not human English.

Tooz said...

I am proud of you, son. You are still winning awards! I love you--sorry I didn't get to talk to you on Thursday!

Tooz said...

Hey, you ought to FRBRize the Book of Mormon. Trace it back to its abstract conception on the back burner of the brain of Joseph Smith.

Jenn-Jenn, the Mother Hen said...

Believe it or not, folks, I actually understood all that! And who is Mr. Peabody?

LOL, Tooz! Then he could prepare an abstract of his research and present it to the "elders" then say, "You know, I prayed about it like you said, and I got zilch!"

Actually, I shouldn't make fun - because Ann Lamott says Jesus loves all his children, no matter how wrong and screwed up we are. Hence, he loves his Mormon children, too.

[snicker snicker]

Tooz said...

Yes, God loves His children. Just like human parents, though, I know there MUST be times that HE about laughs His head off!!

Lydia said...

I don't doubt one bit that God laughs at us sometimes, if not practically all the time. I mean, really, when we look around this world--even just at our family--there's no doubt God invented humor, too. But, Thank you, Jesus, for loving me despite all my problems. He's a way more better father than even my daddy could ever be, but I'm thankful that my Daddy looks to Him as his example.

Jenn-Jenn, the Mother Hen said...

Ummmm... I still don't know who Mr. Peabody is.....

ann said...

he's that little nerdy white dog from rocky and bullwinkle. i know cause i've had to sew him back on bubba's backpack twice.

Becca said...

Of *course* Everett would have Mr. Peabody on his backpack. The universe wouldn't make sense, otherwise.

Sherman feels slighted, though. My stuffed Rocky and Bullwinkle asked me to pass that on.

Jenn-Jenn, the Mother Hen said...

Ohhh.......okay. Now I remember who Mr. Peabody is. I thought maybe Everett go really attached to one of his professors at some point in time or another.

(Of course, I'm joking)

Tooz said...

You're darn right you're joking, Jennifer. I gave that Mr. Peabody to Everett. Mr. Peabody was the one with the brains, like Everett--Sherman was just along for the ride, Becca.

Becca said...

You trying to tell me something, Tooz? :D

Jenn-Jenn, the Mother Hen said...

Oooooooooohhhhhhhhh, now I get it! I had this weird mental image of Everett carting a little old man in a bowler and tweeds around on his backpack! LOL

Becca said...

No, I think you're thinking of the guy from Monopoly.

ann said...

he's hot

Jenn-Jenn, the Mother Hen said...

I'm sorry, but men with monacles frighten me. [shudder!]

ann said...

brother, brother, brother, what are you doin, being productive or something? i know your boss doesn't care. when we came to see you that day and mom said, "well, we better go and let you folks get back to work" rob said, "aw, we're okay." (i want a boss like that someday)

Jenn-Jenn, the Mother Hen said...

Hey, Everett, if you don't post something soon, I'll start singing again. Either that, or I'll start posting really corny jokes on here... In fact, that sounds like a good idea. I have one right now.

So...

Knock, knock!

Becca said...

Can I play?

Who's there?

Jenn-Jenn, the Mother Hen said...

Yes, Becky, you can play (but, wait! I thought you had a deck to produce - whatever the heck that is. If you have time to fiddley-fart around on Everett's blog, then you have time to post to your own blog!)

That being said, now I'll continue:

Aria!

Becca said...

I had a few minutes of pocket time.

Aria who?

Jenn-Jenn, the Mother Hen said...

Aria ever gonna update your blog, Everett?

(Same goes for you, Beck!)

Jenn-Jenn, the Mother Hen said...

Okay, let's see if anybody wants to play on this one....


Knock, knock!

Becca said...

Who's there?

Jenn-Jenn, the Mother Hen said...

Woody!

Becca said...

I'm afraid. Someone else ask....

No, I'll do it. *deep breath*

Woody who?

Jenn-Jenn, the Mother Hen said...

Woody post if we quit buggin' him?


LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tee hee hee

Jenn-Jenn, the Mother Hen said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Everett said...

My apologies to those who didn't understand the explanation. I tried to explain it in a way that would make sense to someone without an extensive library background. I'll have to try again sometime. I am glad somebody got it. Way to go, Jenn!

Jenn-Jenn, the Mother Hen said...

Thank you, thank you [she says as she flashes a toothy grin]! It has always been my life's dream to translate Everettish into English, in order to foster better communications twixt the two!

LOL