Object Re-Use & Exchange: A Resource-Centric Approach

TL;DR

The paper introduces the OAI-ORE framework, which models digital objects as Web resource aggregations to enhance interoperability and reuse across distributed digital library content.

Contribution

It presents a resource-centric aggregation model for digital objects, aligning digital library content with Web architecture and improving interoperability.

Findings

Enhanced interoperability demonstrated in early experiments

Improved digital object reuse across distributed systems

Alignment with Web architecture facilitates integration

Abstract

The OAI Object Reuse and Exchange (OAI-ORE) framework recasts the repository-centric notion of digital object to a bounded aggregation of Web resources. In this manner, digital library content is more integrated with the Web architecture, and thereby more accessible to Web applications and clients. This generalized notion of an aggregation that is independent of repository containment conforms more closely with notions in eScience and eScholarship, where content is distributed across multiple services and databases. We provide a motivation for the OAI-ORE project, review previous interoperability efforts, describe draft ORE specifications and report on promising results from early experimentation that illustrate improved interoperability and reuse of digital objects.