JISC

Start date: 1 October 2005

End date: 31 May 2006

Funding programme: PALS Metadata and Interoperability programme (phase 2)

JISC theme(s): Information environment

Background  

Information about subscriptions to electronic journals is more complicated, and certainly less well defined than with print journals. This is true for libraries in general and for SUNCAT in particular, in that it relies for its data input upon information held in OPACs. At present, there is great variety in metadata, especially as these refer to bundles of journals on offer: both the metadata and the content of packages can be volatile. Receiving regular, comprehensive and accurate information which can be automatically transferred from computer to computer is essential for keeping the records of libraries up-to-date. This can only happen when there is an accurate and regular source of data, an agreed mode and format for transmission and a capacity to accept and process the information. 

The AIMSS project is based on work carried out in SUNCAT Phase 1. This looked at the ONIX for Serials formats, which were under development, for the transmission of information appertaining to serials from publishers/aggregators etc to participants in the chain including libraries. It was recognised that the format could be used to provide SUNCAT with up-to-date information on holdings of participating libraries. 

ONIX for Serials is an internationally developed, structured and extensible format for the transmission of data about serials.  The ONIX for Serials formats have been piloted as part of their development but they have not been tested by UK libraries. 

Serials Solutions provides accurate data for more than 100 aggregators, publishers and subscription agents and SUNCAT, maintained by EDINA, is creating a union catalogue of serials (print and electronic) held by UK research libraries. 

Aims & Objectives  

The broad aims are to transmit information about serials subscriptions and update library records held in MARC 21 format.  The specific objectives are to:

• Develop a capability in EDINA to accept ONIX for Serials messages (Serials Online Holdings) using Serials Online Holdings Version 1.0 as published on NISO/EDItEUR web site.  The messages will be sent by the supplier participating in the project.
• Identify potential developments to ONIX for Serials (Serials Online Holdings)
• Identify potential developments for a consortial serials holdings environment
• Map ONIX for Serials fields to MARC 21 fields.
• Investigate and test mechanisms for uploading the data received into records held in SUNCAT.
• Develop expertise which SUNCAT Contributing Libraries could call upon
• Develop a workflow which could be used on behalf of libraries unable to develop any local capacity to accept and process ONIX for Serials messages.

Overall Approach  

The approach taken will involve using ONIX for Serials SOH: Serials Online Holdings Release 1.0 (revised September 2005). Data for a number of subscriptions and for a number libraries will be created by Serials Solutions and transmitted to EDINA using the SOH message format. The messages created will be processed and the data will be mapped to MARC 21 fields. The resulting records will be matched with records in the SUNCAT database and holdings information will be updated. 

The suitability of SOH for carrying this type of data will be tested. The mapping of the SOH data fields to MARC fields will be tested. The automated updating of records in a consortial context will be investigated. 

Key Standards

• ONIX for Serials SOH: Serials Online Holdings, Release 1.0
• MARC 21, base text February 1999

Project Outputs

• SOH File(s) customised to SUNCAT’s requirements
• Case study of use of the standard from perspective of a data vendor including consideration of scenarios in which data could be disseminated, report on issues surrounding update of records in a consortial setting and consideration of file size/scope comparison of all file types available from vendors which conceivably could be used to transmit holdings data.  (Eg. SOH; MARC; regular XML, Excel spreadsheet)
• Documented mapping between ONIX for Serials (Serials Online Holdings) and MARC 21 fields
• Documented process for updating SUNCAT records from data transmitted by publishers/aggregators
• A list of proposed developments to the standard based on testing experience to be submitted to NISO/EDItEUR
• Reports on Serials Solutions and SUNCAT web site
• Progress reports to Joint Working Party

Outcomes  

A successful project is likely to encourage much wider use of the ONIX for Serials format by publishers for the transmission of holdings data to libraries. It will act as an incentive both to publishers and to Library Management Systems (LMS) suppliers to use the format and ultimately end users will benefit from being able to access up-to-date information. 

Project Partners

• EDINA, University of Edinburgh 
• Serial Solutions