Project Coli-conc: Mapping Library Knowledge Organisation Systems

Knowledge organisation systems (KOS) across libraries in German speaking countries have always struggled with a lack of homogeneity and consistent subject indexing. Various tools have been developed to map different KOS, either manually or through algorithms which allow for automatic or semi-automatic mapping 1 , 2 , 3 . Considering the complexity and variety of KOS, there is a need for an overarching system which facilitates and promotes consistent subject indexing and enhances access to information and use of KOS. The first step towards designing and deploying such a system was the conversion of various KOS data from their proprietary formats to a uniform format. To meet this requirement, Coli-conc developed in the pilot phase of the project the JSKOS format. The newly created format is based on SKOS and JSON LD; it eases the use of KOS in web applications and allows more flexibility in content display of the KOS data. To accelerate and increase the efficiency of the intellectual mapping process, the project proposes the mapping tool Cocoda that adopts a dashboard design. This approach gathers data of the KOS that are being mapped with each other from different sources, consolidates the same and displays it in a concise manner on a single screen for at-a glance-monitoring. The web-based mapping tool, Cocoda, besides enabling term/caption or notation search from a source or a target KOS; presents the hierarchical structure of a queried term/class; and permits browsing of the higher order concepts of the selected KOS. Additionally, the tool automatically generates mappings of a selected term/notation, gives options to edit and save the newly created mappings in the centralized VZG Mapping database integrating a feature to export them in JSKOS and various other formats. Furthermore, the Coli-conc infrastructure includes a KOS-Registry, a platform for Concordances with a web interface, JSKOS API for KOS and mappings which are provided as stand-alone services. 1 Walter, A.-K., Mayr, P., Petras, V., Baerisch, S. (2007) 2 Pfeffer, M. (2013) 3 Lauser, B., Johannsen, G., Caracciolo, C., Keizer, J., van Hage, W. R., Mayr, P. (2008) 4 Voß, J. (2016) Features of the Coli-conc and technical specifications 1. Coli-conc System Architecture The system offers an infrastructure to support semi-automatic creation of mappings. Furthermore, it facilitates the use and exchange of KOS and their mappings. The application is modular designed and consists of three core parts:  Coli-conc Web (CCWeb)  Data Converter  JSKOS API for KOS and Mappings (KOS-API, KK-API)  Database Server Figure 1: Coli-Conc System Architecture Cocoda