Vocabulary Mapping Framework Tertius Ltd / International DOI Foundation Norman Paskin London Nov Next Steps

Origins: indecs-inspired work: RDA/ONIX Framework for resource categorisation ISO/IEC Rights Data Dictionary includes typed links between identifiers (relators) to support MPEG-21 produced managed dictionary (but little used) Parallel activities in other areas recognising same issues Led to VMF original proposal to JISC September 2008 Origins

3 stages: Stage 1 became the current VMF work. Stages 2 and 3 outlined a road map for immediate next steps. Stage 1 (funded in current VMF project): basic extension of RDA/ONIX Framework The deliverable of stage 1 will be a major expansion of the existing RDA/ONIX Framework, based on and incorporating relevant vocabularies from nine main bibliographic and supply chain metadata standards of interest to the JISC community Stage 2: further technical work: Aims: - give the project a base level of ongoing activity on existing content - allow for initial roll-out, trial use, and feedback Action: - continued work on agreeing mappings, development of uses, rules, tools, etc. Stage 3: governance and maintenance of what has been achieved Aims: - avoid the work becomes a dead-end project - provide a usable platform and a guarantee of stability Action: - funding for maintenance of the Framework for one year - put long term model in place thereafter VMF project proposal 2008 (to JISC)

continued work on mapping –in particular agreeing the initial vocabulary mappings with the technical representatives of the schemes. Cost £20K? automated generation of mappings –in current content, rules development and output: Cost £20K? extension of content: –self-funded? –interim governance/maintenance while this goes on we have created a powerful resource for vocabulary mapping and to support development and refinement of vocabularies –need to work with it and allow user communities decide how they want to use it and shape it Feedback needed: what do you think you would use it for? Further technical work

A detailed governance model, with support from participating standards where possible is part of Stage 1 –funded but not yet done: covers only description, not detailed implementation Requires: a web host / technical platform –Volunteered support by IDF, but other solutions possible and offers welcome Support for additions to existing vocabularies, and the addition of new vocabularies –cost should in due course be met by a registry model, where those registering vocabularies bear any costs of update. –However, the Framework will need a chance to demonstrate its value: –Seek a provision covering one year following the completion of Stage 1 to support published changes to existing vocabularies within the Framework (but not the addition of new ones) Creation of policy and review mechanism –Current VMF Advisory Board as starting point –Define needs for longer term self-funding Framework –15 project days for management support and convening the group. Cost: 10K? Governance and maintenance

Who are stakeholders, who participates? CIDOC CRM; DCMI; DDEX; DOI; FRBR; MARC21; LOM; ONIX; RDA Other intermediating message standards? Other sectors? Private (non-published) or proprietary mappings, e.g. internal schema? Ability to use mapping but not make these available to others Anyone can map - but makes sense to register the mappings to the "definitive" version of the matrix to keep up to date with versions; the matrix is dynamic Scope: vocabularies now - going to complete schemas with additional semantics? do we have a common view of the road ahead? What technical roles need to be provided by the host? co-ordination of mapping? conformance testing? ability to adapt / outreach to new technologies ? ( semantic gostak) maintaining a home site (domain name hosting etc ) Issues arising (1)

What vehicle is needed to support long term governance? voluntary – all initial vocabulary groups (who?); what other stakeholders? if self-funding it will be trading - does it need to be an independent entity? cost implications? if not who, and what implications? Legal requirements; directors and officers; liability insurance; accounting, bank account, etc. Authorisation How is mapping of terms agreed? how do we authorize a set of scheme to scheme mappings? control of releases/versions etc liability and conformance guarantee issues Long term commitment and persistence – social infrastructure (DOIs as a tool) Role of formal Standards bodies Should VMF be standardised? (No: We like standards, but not appropriate) Different origins/allegiances of components Difficult to standardise a dynamic thing – cf MPEG 21 RDD We know whats needed; they ask stupid questions Time consuming and expensive Issues arising (2)

Intellectual Property issues Trademarks. Domain names. Infringing patents. Funding models for the long term Registry model, where those registering vocabularies bear any costs of update (compare MPEG 21RDD) Other options? Marketing Release of new versions, news, encouraging others to participate, outreach; presentations; fund raising for more development. Is it sufficient to leave to component contributor schemes – who coordinates? Lessons from elsewhere – indecs; MPEG 21 RDD; others? Sources of funding for phase 2 and 3 JISC? Others? Issues arising (3)

Stage 1 (funded in current VMF project): basic extension of RDA/ONIX Framework The deliverable of stage 1 will be a major expansion of the existing RDA/ONIX Framework, based on and incorporating relevant vocabularies from nine main bibliographic and supply chain metadata standards of interest to the JISC community Stage 2: further technical work Aims: - give the project a base level of ongoing activity on existing content - allow for initial roll-out feedback Action: - continued work on agreeing mappings, development of uses, rules, tools, etc. Stage 3: governance and maintenance Aims: - avoid the work becomes a dead-end project - provide a usable platform and a guarantee of stability Action: - funding for maintenance of the Framework for one year - put long term model in placed thereafter For discussion

Outline