Making It Real: Preparing for BIBFRAME in Public Libraries

This presentation will introduce a framework for exploring the status of BIBFRAME in public libraries, examine the economics of transitioning towards BIBFRAME, discuss how to support and train staff on new workflows, and identify the technological challenges and opportunities. This will be informed by research that Equinox is performing in partnership with the King County Library System (WA).

While BIBFRAME has been discussed for the past 12 years as the culmination of efforts to replace the MARC format, public libraries have had minimal representation on the task forces that developed it. BIBFRAME is now at the point where public libraries must prepare for this change or risk having the long-term future of public library metadata be decided elsewhere.

The presentation will also discuss BIBFRAME as an important opportunity for public libraries. If public libraries - all 9,000+ of them in the United States alone! - engage with BIBFRAME now, they will be able to help improve it by providing a focus on using metadata to support the broadest possible range of library patrons.

The presentation will close with a call to action that includes specific advocacy for the funding, tools, and support needed by public libraries to modernize their metadata in support of their patrons.