The IFLA Library Reference Model, a step toward the Semantic Web

The development of the IFLA Library Reference Model (LRM) has occurred in a different technological environment than for the previous IFLA conceptual models of the FR family, FRBR, FRAD, and FRSAD. The usability of data in semantic web applications is now essential. Experience creating IFLA vocabularies for the FR family of conceptual models indicated that a highly structured model definition would make the task of specifying LRM namespaces easier and reduce the potential for ambiguity, making this an integral consideration. The textual model definition is issued with detailed transition mappings clearly indicating the intended alignment of the existing namespaces with the LRM, making LRM linked data ready from the start. To complete the usability of LRM in the linked data environment, several actions are ongoing or planned. An essential step is the creation of an LRM namespace in the IFLA domain. This will permit encoding linkages with the existing FR namespaces. IFLA LRM is being aligned with other standards, for example, an alignment between the ISBD element set and LRM has been developed by a task group of the ISBD Review Group with a representative of the FRBR Review Group. FRBRoo, the object-oriented definition of the existing FR models compatible with the CIDOC CRM, is being reviewed so as to bring it into conformance with LRM.