Application of the FRBR/LRM Model to Continuing Resources

The Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records (FRBR) and its successor the IFLA Library Reference Model (LRM) do not fully explain how to model continuing resources. Applying the FRBR/LRM Work-Expression-Manifestation-Item (WEMI) model to continuing resources such as magazines, journals, and newspapers has been difficult and controversial and many serialists remain unconvinced that the FRBR model is appropriate for serials. This study examines the challenges of modelling continuing resources. LRM introduced a number of changes to the WEMI model to accommodate continuing resources. Particularly notable was the introduction of the serial work and the serial manifestation and establishment of the created by relationship linking a manifestation to an agent that created the manifestation. Although serials and integrating resources are both considered to be continuing resources, they are distinct and require different modelling approaches. Integrating resources are complete bibliographic units that are frequently revised while serials are aggregates of discrete parts collected and issued over time. Because they are complete bibliographic units, integrating resources, regardless of how or how frequently they are updated, can be modelled as monographs. LRM introduced the serial work to recognize the intellectual effort of compilers, editor, and other similar agents. However, LRM’s new ‘created by’ relationship between agents and manifestation also provides a means to recognize this effort and makes serial works redundant. In spite of the LRM accommodations, modelling serials remains problematic. Treating the serial as a whole as a manifestation is inconsistent with the view of manifestations as static entities. An entity for serials that functions equivalently to the monographic item also remains elusive. Further changes to the WEMI model will likely be necessary before the WEMI model can accommodate serials.