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  • une présentation du protocole OAI-PMH [file .pdf – 1789 Ko – 09/06/29 – 49 p.]
    basic principles (history, data model, stakeholders: data and service providers), queries and responses, and OAI at BnF – a collection of links to find out more.

Sharing: OAI and interoperability

OAI-PMH = Open archives initiative - Protocol for metadata harvesting
 

In order to ensure that data is accessible as widely as possible, systems and data need to be interoperable. Currently, the interoperability protocol adopted by many libraries is OAI-PMH

The OAI-PMH protocol is a way of exchanging metadata between institutions over the Internet in order to widen access to digital documents.

Interoperability

Interoperability is the ability for multiple systems to communicate with each other, exchanging data using standard formats.
When setting up Gallica, BnF created a specific OAI warehouse – OAI-NUM – which consists of data exported from the library’s native catalogs, the BnF master catalog and BnF Archives et Manuscrits
Electronic resources are cataloged in one or other of these catalogs, depending on their nature. The OAI-NUM warehouse forms the specific catalog for remotely accessible digital resources, such that any corrections and additions to the underlying catalog are reflected in the digital resource catalog. This solution has the advantage both of being technically undemanding and of creating the right conditions to be able to offer specific services linked to the library’s digital collections thanks to the existence of a specific structured catalog.
The OAI-PMH protocol enables dual referencing of collections:
  • referencing within Gallica of collections belonging to partner libraries (CNUM, Medica, Library of Congress, etc.)
  • referencing of BnF’s digital resources outside Gallica via other catalogs and digital libraries, including in particular Europeana

Gallica open to other heritage collections [from BnF’s network of agreed partners]

BnF has written a document aimed at libraries wishing their digital resources to be referenced within Gallica using the OAI-PMH protocol. The document sets out ten points covering all the information (IT, technical, documentary, etc.) required to reference digital resources compatible with Gallica. 

Tuesday, April 12, 2011