Libris transition to Bibframe
In June 2018, a new version of Libris, Sweden’s national library catalogue, was launched. This new system is called Libris XL. It is built using open-source software and is based on Bibframe 2.0 and linked open data.
Because Libris XL uses linked data, it allows library information to be shared in a way that is easier for the wider web to understand. It also helps connect library data with other data, both from inside and outside the library world. The information in the Swedish Union Catalogue comes from more than 600 libraries. Library staff from these libraries work together to update the data in one shared system.
The migration to the new Libris system was a big and complex task. About 10 million records had to be moved from the old format (MARC) to the new one (BIBFRAME).
Want to Know More?
Here are some useful links if you want to read or watch more about this project:
- Leaving comfort behind: A National Union Catalogue Transition to linked data, By Bodil Wennerlund and Anna Berggren
A BIBFRAME-based, linked data infrastructure for Sweden’s national union catalogue (PDF). External link.
- Target Vocabulary Maps, Presentation by Niklas Lindström at SWIB 2019 (Semantic web in Libraries).
From SWIB 2019, (YouTube Video External link.) - Bibframe Implementation Panel, DCMI Conference 2021 (International Conference on Dublin Core and Metadata Applications).
From DCMI Conference 2021(YouTube Video). External link. - On Ambition and Ambiguity, Presentation by Niklas Lindström & Fredrik Klingwall at BFWE 2022 (BIBFRAME Workshop in Europe).
BFWE 2022 (Conference Page) External link. - Clustering, Extracting and Linking Bibliographic Work Entities, Presentation by Andreas Andersson at BFWE 2023
From BFWE 2023 (YouTube Video) External link.
From BFWE 2023 External link. (PDF) External link.
- Exchanging experiences,
Roundtable discussion with Fredrik Klingwall and others, at BFWE 2023
From BFWE 2023 (YouTube Video) External link.
From BFWE 2023 (PDF) External link. - You can also explore all presentations, videos, and program details from the 2023 event in Brussels
BIBFRAME Workshop in Europe 2023 External link. - Normalising and coordinating types in bibliographic data, Presentation by Andreas Andersson at BFWE 2024
From BFWE 2024 (PDF) External link.
What’s Next?
In 2026 the National Library of Sweden will launch a brand-new search tool for Libris. This tool will be directly connected to Libris XL, which means that updates to the metadata will happen in real time. The system will use linked data (BIBFRAME) instead of the older MARC21 format.
Thanks to this change, it will be easier to find different versions or formats of the same work when they are linked together in the catalogue.