Implementing the FRBR Conceptual Model in the Variations Music Discovery System

The Variations/FRBR project, funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services from 2008 to 2011, is designed to fully implement the Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records (FRBR) conceptual model in the production Variations music discovery system at IU. The project will provide an innovative discovery platform for musical materials on our campus, and will serve as a model for the development of other FRBRized library catalogs. This presentation will discuss the goals and accomplishments of the project, particular challenges our project team has encountered in turning a conceptual model into a concrete data model with an XML binding, and other technical issues surrounding the move from a MARC-based library catalog to a FRBR-based one