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BibFrame Needs a �Usability Makeover

(And it’s as Easy as ABC)�

Robert Sanderson

Senior Director for Digital Cultural Heritage

Bibframe Must ^ Evolve

robert.�sanderson�@yale.edu

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  • Conceptual Model
    • Abstract way to think about the world, �holistically, consistently and coherently�
  • Ontology
    • Shared set of terms to encode that thinking�in a logical, machine-actionable way (e.g. in RDF) �
  • Vocabulary
    • Curated set of sub-domain specific terms, �to make the ontology more concrete

Model

Ontology

Vocabulary

What Is Bibframe?

encoded�by

refined�by

Bibframe Must ^ Evolve

robert.�sanderson�@yale.edu

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Why Conceptual Models & Linked Data?

  • A successful Conceptual Model lets us easily and effectively describe the entities of interest in a coherent, consistent and connected manner – a common reference point�
  • Linked Data (using an ontology) expresses relationships between the described entities
    • Which gives better context for entities on both sides
    • Which gives us better discovery and understanding
    • And allows for extensibility from a common core

Bibframe Must ^ Evolve

robert.�sanderson�@yale.edu

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Bibliographic Linked Data in Action

Bibframe Must ^ Evolve

robert.�sanderson�@yale.edu

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Bibliographic Linked Data in Action

Bibframe Must ^ Evolve

robert.�sanderson�@yale.edu

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Bibliographic Linked Data in Action

Bibframe Must ^ Evolve

robert.�sanderson�@yale.edu

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Linked Data in Action

Bibframe Must ^ Evolve

robert.�sanderson�@yale.edu

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BibFrame as a Conceptual Model?

Bibframe Must ^ Evolve

robert.�sanderson�@yale.edu

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BibFrame as a Conceptual Model?

?!?

Bibframe Must ^ Evolve

robert.�sanderson�@yale.edu

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BibFrame as a Conceptual Model?!?

Bibframe Must ^ Evolve

robert.�sanderson�@yale.edu

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A: the right Abstractions for the Audience

Who uses Bibframe, and what abstractions do they need?�

  • People who describe the entities
  • People who implement software
  • People who use the software and descriptions

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BibFrame isn’t easily understandable to any of these people!�So how can it be successful as it stands?

Bibframe Must ^ Evolve

robert.�sanderson�@yale.edu

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B: Bring down Barriers to entry

The first words are the hardest to write!� �We need:

    • Human-readable guidelines and instructions
    • Technical documentation with Working Examples
    • Validators
    • Use Cases / User Stories / Recipes
    • Code Libraries
    • Reference implementations

Bibframe Must ^ Evolve

robert.�sanderson�@yale.edu

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C: Consistent and Comprehensible

  • The model should be consistent with every exception carefully considered and explicitly justified

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  • Data instances should be readable and comprehensible without referring to the documentation constantly

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Instead of adding more features to cover specific needs of the few elite, we should simplify and promote general usability.

Bibframe Must ^ Evolve

robert.�sanderson�@yale.edu

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Balance Usability and Completeness

Bibframe Must ^ Evolve

robert.�sanderson�@yale.edu

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​

Thank You!

Discuss!�

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And check out: https://lux.collections.yale.edu/

​

Bibframe Must ^ Evolve

robert.�sanderson�@yale.edu

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