The document discusses the geocoding process using the Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL) data, focusing on the utilization of Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) to create new browsing interfaces for digital collections. It highlights the limitations of geocoding, including issues with name variations and historic names, as well as the technical methods employed, such as extracting data for Google Maps API. Additionally, it includes code examples and addresses the practical benefits of reusing cataloging metadata.

1. Built Works Registry:
GeocodingBHL
Chris Freeland
Director, Center for Biodiversity Informatics, Missouri Botanical Garden
Technical Director, Biodiversity Heritage Library
Email: chris.freeland@mobot.org
Twitter: @chrisfreeland

2. http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/browse/map

5. Data for Geocoding:
Library catalogue records (MARC21)
Subject Heading from library catalogue:
Hunting – Africa
Animal behavior
<- Expressed as MARCXML
$zphrases are extracted & submitted to
Google Maps API &GeoNames API

6. Admin screens for data editing, adjustment

7. Limitations: False positives
• Not many from MARC records
– Curated data, marked up
• Many in automated data mining

8. Limitations: Name variations
&centroids
X

9. Limitation: Historic names

10. Additional details
Geocoding LCSH in the Biodiversity Heritage Library
Reusing metadata generated through years of cataloging practice is a natural and pragmatic way
of leveraging an institution’s investment in describing its resources. Using Library of Congress
Subject Headings (LCSH), the Biodiversity Heritage Library generates new interfaces for browsing
and navigating books in a digital library. LCSH are grouped into tag clouds and plotted on
interactive maps using methods available within the Google Maps Application Programming
Interface (API). Code examples are included, and issues related to these interfaces and the
underlying LCSH data are examined.
Chris Freeland, Martin Kalfatovic, Jay Paige, and Marc Crozier
http://journal.code4lib.org/articles/52
Chris Freeland
Director, Center for Biodiversity Informatics, Missouri Botanical Garden
Technical Director, Biodiversity Heritage Library
Email: chris.freeland@mobot.org
Twitter: @chrisfreeland