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Quick Description
Throughout the semester, we have discussed classification schemes, controlled vocabularies, content standards, and data formats.
Institutions integrate these four systems to create a fully realized way of organizing their collections.
The purpose of this assignment is to create an integrated system for an imaginary collection; in this case, I am creating a system for the books in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (a TV show).
This is an integrated system for Giles’ library collection in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Whedon et al., 1997-2003). Giles is a librarian who helps Buffy defeat demons by identifying their weaknesses. This collection is mostly used by Giles, Buffy, and their friends (known as the Scooby Gang). They typically know one or more of the demon’s characteristics, such as what they eat or look like. They use these known characteristics to identify the demon’s species or information about a particular vampire. For example, if they encounter a vampire who can see the future, they would search under precognition to identify the vampire as Drusilla. The Scooby Gang might also search for historical events to learn more about a demon’s motives.
Classification
Giles is a part of the Watchers Council, a group of scholars dedicated to help the Slayer defeat evil. Most Watchers are highly educated individuals who are extremely dedicated to research. Thus, I believe that the Council would have their own classification system. I am not able to identify any pre-existing classification systems that would reflect the Watchers’ system, so I will create a brief outline for my own.
Most books within Giles’ collection would probably fall within one of two categories: demonology or magic. While the two are related, the magical category would be of more use for human witches. In this system, I am classifying vampires as types of demons who subsist off of blood. Of course, Buffy is primarily focused on vampires, so within the demonology section, books would focus on vampires, non-vampire demons, or demon dimensions. Vampire books are further divided into theory and history. History books may focus on an individual vampire or vampire-related events. Non-vampire demon books are similarly classified by theory and history, with the additional subcategory of differentiating by species within history. Demons species are identified by their diet and reproduction type, so books will be hierarchically classified according to these characteristics. As for books on magic, I know from Season 6, episode 20 that Giles separates books on dark magic from the rest of his collection.
Beginning of a Classification
Demonology
Vampires
Theory
History
By individual
Geographic origin by continent
By period
Geographic region
Non-Vampire Demons
Theory
History
By species
Diet
Reproduction Type
By individual
Geographic origin by continent
By period
Geographic region
Dimensions
Magic
Dark Magic
Light/Other magic
Spell Books
Theory
History
Controlled Vocabulary
Once again, I cannot find a pre-existing controlled vocabulary that would work for this purpose. For the Scooby Gang to identify the book that they need, the vocabulary needs to be very specialized. Hierarchical relationships will also be essential. For example, a book about a demon that eats human skin would have the associated term skin, which is nested under human, which is nested under diet. But another demon that eats dog brains would have the associated term brain, which is nested under animal, which is nested under diet.
Some Terms:
Physical description: bipedal, reptilian, mammalian, insectoid
Reproduction: infection, cross-fertile, budding, thaumogenesis
Diet: brain, heart, blood, skin, bone
Powers: strength, telekinesis, speed, immortality, telepathy, teleportation
Content Standard
An altered form of the Dublin Core content standard would likely work for Giles’ collection. Some books have magical properties when opened, and an additional term to describe this would be necessary for the metadata. For example, if a book’s content regularly disappears until its spine is scratched, this should be recorded.
Data Format
If we were in the Buffy universe, linked data would be more important than ever before. Individuals both within and outside of the library community would need easy access to information about vampires and demons so that they can keep themselves safe. This is especially true for demons. If an unknown species of demon were terrorizing your neighborhood, you would want to search the web for information about its weaknesses. For this reason, I would advocate for BIBFRAME as the data format. BIBFRAME is in the initial stages of launch, but its adoption of Uniform Resource Identifiers would be a vital resource for the public. Information resources about a relevant demon would quickly pop up via the web, and Giles could provide temporary (in-store) access to his book for people in need. Thankfully, Giles and the Scooby Gang are great with computers, so they may even be able to move the BIBFRAME initiative along.
References
Whedon, J., Greenwalt, D., Noxon, M., Fury, D., Rubel Kuzui, F., & Kuzui, K. (Executive Producers). (1997-2003). Buffy the vampire slayer [TV series]. Mutant Enemy Productions; Sandollar Television; Kuzui Enterprises; 20th Century Fox Television.