Processing of bibliographic resources in non-Latin alphabets and discoverability of digital collections: problems and perspectives

Abstract

The cataloguing of resources in non-Roman scripts, a topic discussed in Italy since the early 2000s, has regained prominence in professional discourse. From a library theory perspective, this issue warrants examination through the lens of "decolonizing" cataloguing tools to ensure full respect for linguistic and cultural diversity in the representation, access, and display of bibliographic data.

On the technical side, the implementation of Unicode standards in library systems has offered a viable solution for correctly encoding native scripts. However, critical issues persist due to limitations imposed by the SBN (Servizio Bibliotecario Nazionale) catalogue Index regarding how bibliographic information is entered into the national library system and subsequently presented to end users.

As long as transliteration remains the only method for describing resources in non-Roman scripts within OPACs, users can only leverage original-language query options through discovery tools. These tools, unlike traditional catalogues, handle born-digital resources with metadata in original scripts harvested from publishers' digital platforms. This discrepancy creates inequalities in resource discoverability, leaving the need for comprehensive and straightforward access to multilingual library resources unfulfilled.

On the technical side, the implementation of Unicode standards in library systems has offered a viable solution for correctly encoding native scripts. However, critical issues persist due to limitations imposed by the SBN (Servizio Bibliotecario Nazionale) catalogue Index regarding how bibliographic information is entered into the national library system and subsequently presented to end users.

As long as transliteration remains the only method for describing resources in non-Roman scripts within OPACs, users can only leverage original-language query options through discovery tools. These tools, unlike traditional catalogues, handle born-digital resources with metadata in original scripts harvested from publishers' digital platforms. This discrepancy creates inequalities in resource discoverability, leaving the need for comprehensive and straightforward access to multilingual library resources unfulfilled.