Since we're talking about OCLC Research this might be a good time to point out a few interesting and cool pages that in many cases provide links to working prototypes emanating from research projects.
Classify is a FRBR-based prototype designed to support the assignment of classification numbers and subject headings for books, DVDs, CDs, and other types of materials.
This tool obviously used catalogers but it can also be of value also non-catalogers, students who don't plan to be a cataloger, and others, ClassifyWeb can these people a better idea of some of the data that's useful when cataloging a book, DVD, and other materials. Catalogers and non-catalogers could also work together to brainstorm and develop new functionality and uses for the program.
According to ClassifyWeb there are 444 editions of the book. Btw, the ClassifyWeb database is drawing from a portion of the complete WorldCat database. Finally, it's very interesting to see how the same book (same author, same story, and same characters) is classified differently at different libraries.
The Audience Level prototype and its related research project are part of a broader data mining activity at OCLC Research, which seeks to explore various ways to leverage intelligence from system files, and "make data work harder."
To find the audience level for a specific title, enter an ISBN or ISSN, or OCLC number. Unfortunately, you cannot link directly to results page. However, at the bottom of this page you can use the slider to see an example of materials at each audience level for a specific subject, Zoology.
+ WorldCat Identities
One of our favorite resources that's actually available on WorldCat.org. In five words, the power of data mining.
WorldCat Identities has a summary page for every name in WorldCat (currently some 30 million names). We maintain a Research version in addition to the pages that are available via WorldCat.org.
Simply enter the name of a person, company, musical group, fictitious characters, etc. that are listed in WorldCat database.
The amount of info returned, mined from WorldCat, is amazing and often very interesting. Btw, most entries in Identities contain direct links to the Library of Congress Authorities database. Between Identities and LC Authorities, many might find some reference value in these databases.
One more thing, the Identities home page provides a word cloud listing the 100 most popular entities in this database. Here's the entry for Mozart. He puts up some big numbers.
So, that three of the 21 database prototypes listed on ReferenceWorks. We will post about others in the future but the best thing to do is to take a few minutes (when you have some to spare) and each time demo something new then select your favorites and really get to know the product.
Other Resources from OCLC Research
+ In addition to developing web-based tools, OCLC Research develops software, most of it open source (make sure to check). This page has both info and in many cases links to download.
+ The "Activities" page is home to ALL current OCLC research activities (review older, "retired" activities here). Some projects listed on the Refworks page and others listed on the activity page only contain text info. You can browse the complete the list at one time or by category:
So, that's our first post. Post number two is coming soon. Now, go forth and read, demo, learn. It's an activity that's both educational and even even fun.
Source: OCLC Research
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