XML in libraries

Roy Tennant

Neal-Schuman Publishers, 2002 - Computers - 213 pages

Here are actual examples of how libraries are using XML to solve problems, expand services, and improve systems. Areas covered include: integrated library systems; interlibrary loan; cataloging and indexing; building collections and databases; data migration; and systems interoperability. Contributing libraries include Stanford University, Oregon State University, State Library of Tasmania, HALINET (The Halton Ont. Information Network), University of Virginia, California Digital Library, University of Windsor, New York University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Simon Fraser University, and University of Saskatchewan Libraries. Find out why a growing number of librarians consider XML essential to their work.

What people are saying

Editorial Review - (c) 2003

XML (eXtensible Markup Language), a subset of SGML (Standard Generalized Markup Language), adds considerable power and flexibility to web applications beyond that possible with HTML (Hypertext Markup Language). This format, unlike HTML, can be used to describe, not merely display, information. For this reason, as well as others such as cross-platform compatibility, libraries are using XML to present digitized library content and solve digital library problems. Tennant, "Digital Libraries" columnist for Library Journal and eScholarship Web and services design manager for the California Digital Library, has collected examples of homegrown XML applications in such libraries as Stanford University, Oregon State University, State Library of Tasmania, New York University, and MIT; the types of services presented include library online catalogs, interlibrary loan, cataloging and indexing, online collection creation, databases, data migration, and systems interoperability. Each chapter describes the project, including the goals and justification, plans, problems, failures and successes, lessons learned, and implications. Although XML is sometimes described as being as easy to learn as HTML, its implementation can be complex; while conceptually and structurally straightforward, it does not work alone and can involve several interactive layers of technology. Indeed, the projects profiled here are the result of collaborations between technically skilled people and even several large institutions. Tennant has not intended this book to be a how-to manual but rather to show what an XML project can entail. A background knowledge of XML, open source programming, and network management technologies is assumed; however, each chapter lists contacts and web links for additional information. Although only large and medium-sized libraries with the technical resources would consider implementing these or similar projects, technically oriented librarians from smaller libraries will benefit from seeing what is possible using XML and may be inspired to undertake less daunting projects. Otherwise the price may be a bit steep for those libraries not capable of actually applying this technology. Recommended for large academic and public libraries and consortia, library schools, and intrepid librarians from small libraries.-Robert Battenfeld, Long Island Univ.-Southampton Coll. Lib., NY 

Editorial Review - (c) 2003

XML (eXtensible Markup Language), a subset of SGML (Standard Generalized Markup Language), adds considerable power and flexibility to web applications beyond that possible with HTML (Hypertext Markup Language). This format, unlike HTML, can be used to describe, not merely display, information. For this reason, as well as others such as cross-platform compatibility, libraries are using XML to present digitized library content and solve digital library problems. Tennant, "Digital Libraries" columnist for Library Journal and eScholarship Web and services design manager for the California Digital Library, has collected examples of homegrown XML applications in such libraries as Stanford University, Oregon State University, State Library of Tasmania, New York University, and MIT; the types of services presented include library online catalogs, interlibrary loan, cataloging and indexing, online collection creation, databases, data migration, and systems interoperability. Each chapter describes the project, including the goals and justification, plans, problems, failures and successes, lessons learned, and implications. Although XML is sometimes described as being as easy to learn as HTML, its implementation can be complex; while conceptually and structurally straightforward, it does not work alone and can involve several interactive layers of technology. Indeed, the projects profiled here are the result of collaborations between technically skilled people and even several large institutions. Tennant has not intended this book to be a how-to manual but rather to show what an XML project can entail. A background knowledge of XML, open source programming, and network management technologies is assumed; however, each chapter lists contacts and web links for additional information. Although only large and medium-sized libraries with the technical resources would consider implementing these or similar projects, technically oriented librarians from smaller libraries will benefit from seeing what is possible using XML and may be inspired to undertake less daunting projects. Otherwise the price may be a bit steep for those libraries not capable of actually applying this technology. Recommended for large academic and public libraries and consortia, library schools, and intrepid librarians from small libraries.-Robert Battenfeld, Long Island Univ.-Southampton Coll. Lib., NY 

Contents

• Figure 21 Access to a bibliographic server from a Web browser: 19
• Using XML for Interlibrary Loan: 29
• Figure 31 ILL request printed by ILL ASAP: 33

Bibliographic information

• Title: XML in libraries
• Author: Roy Tennant
• Editor: Roy Tennant
• Contributor: Roy Tennant
• Edition: illustrated
• Publisher: Neal-Schuman Publishers, 2002
• Original from: the University of Michigan
• Digitized: Dec 20, 2007
• ISBN: 1555704433, 9781555704438
• Length: 213 pages
• Subjects: Computers / Data Processing / General; Computers / Internet / Web Page Design; Computers / Programming Languages / HTML; Computers / Programming Languages / XML; Language Arts & Disciplines / Library & Information Science; Libraries; Libraries -- Automation; Libraries Automation; Libraries/ Data processing; XML (Document markup language)