Welcome
Review of Edinburgh goals
Re-visit of Z39.50 issues (MALVINE)
Web server requirements
Interfacing with other projects
Authority control
Subject access
Web guide
Collaboration with other organizations
Funding possibilities
Open discussion
In reviewing progress toward the Edinburgh goals David Day pointed out that a web site was established and that an email list was created to help facilitate communications during the year. While some useful communications were exchanged during the year, there is a need for greater participation for all members of the working group. Day also reported that the FileMaker database was mounted on the Internet and a screen for data entry was also posted on the web. Day also reported that there was very little review and comments received from the group concerning these drafts.
It was agreed that the test database and data-entry form could be improved by development of:
Day noted that the group failed to achieve the goal of entering any sample data. He suggested that at a minimum 10 institutions should agree to create 10 sample records.
Only a few responses were received for the group for the development of a list of archive types. Inger Enquist reported that she some information from the previous year that she will send to Day.
Day reported that he met with Barbara Dobbs Mackenzie, director of the Barry Brook Center in New York. The center is unable to contribute, space, money or other resources to the project, but they are happy to collaborate in fund raising efforts and willing to lend the name and influence of the center in promoting our efforts.
The group reviewed its position concerning Z39.50 connectivity as a means of achieving the goals of the group. The European project MALVINE was discussed in particular. Members of the group expressed concern that such projects cater to the lowest common denominator. Enquist noted that even within a single country many different systems and approaches to describing archives exist.
MALVINE is a consortium of mostly national archives and libraries that have greater resources and support for developing and participating in such a project.
Stephen Westman noted that Z39.50 connectivity presents mapping difficulties. Many such projects are mapping to the lowest common denominator resulting in loss of detail and capability. Institutions are not able to allow as much functionality with Z39.50 as with their own proprietary systems.
Veslemöy Heintz pointed out that there already exists a great deal of archival cataloging or descriptions in the systems of major institutions.
It was noted that XML is another protocol that is gaining popularity and may replace Z39.50.
Day reported experiencing problems of stability with the MALVINE system, but others in the group reported more positive results.
The group agreed that it would still be better to develop our own database rather attempt to develop a Z39.50 connectivity project for music archives. It was also agreed that when our database if functional we could offer it for inclusion in projects such as MALVINE. The group will continue to monitor both Z39.50 and XML developments.
Day reported that during the past year he had continued to explore the basic requirements for creating a web database. He reported that there are many different possible approaches. On the more basic level you can use simple commercial database programs like FileMaker or Microsoft Access and mount them on the web. The more advanced side of the spectrum would include systems requiring very sophisticated programming consisting of database programs such as Oracle running on UNIX servers.
Day outlined what he felt were the basic components of a good web database:a fast Internet connection
Day then gave an overview of the web server resources available at Brigham Young University for the Project. He noted that at this time, he is not able to put together a fully advanced system of the highest capacity.
BYU can support the following:
Stephen Westman was invited to respond to Day’s report and potential resources. Westman was introduced as the person who has created a web database system for the RIdIM project.
Westman recommended using open source software that can be moved to different platforms. He reported that the RIdIM project utilized a UNIX server; Apache web server software, MySQL database software and PHP as the CGI. Westman spent some time reporting on the different types of products that are available to build a web database. He pointed out the advantages of open source products such as those used for the RIdIM project.
The group agreed that the database should be developed in a manner that would permit upward migration to a system comparable to that developed by Westman.
Day expressed concerns that the resources at BYU might not be adequate. He suggested that early in the coming year a poll be taken among the groups participants to determine if a more advanced system might be available at another institution.
Alan Green spoke briefly about the challenges RIdIM has faced in coordinating work in various national branches. Different national projects have developed different data structures and systems of description.
Representative from different national branches in the group reported briefly on the potential problems and opportunities in adopting our project. Projects are already underway in Canada, France and Germany. Italy is currently considering a project and would like to use our system if it can be adequately developed.
Submitted by
Chris Banks (July 9, 2001)
Revised
By David Day (September 17, 2001)