Products & Delivery

Obtaining metadata from BDS is easy and flexible. We work with you to find the best delivery solution that fits with your systems and workflow. Our expert team is available to discuss your requirements.

Here are our most popular delivery options and what they offer:

Direct Data Feed

Receive a daily feed of all the work undertaken by BDS each day profiled especially for your library. This service means that your catalogue is always as up to date as BDS itself.

You receive a daily feed of information by FTP directly to your catalogue. You can then select and manage this information as you choose.

Autoresponse

Autoresponse is a service that allows you to deposit a file of ISBNs on the BDS FTP server, and receive records tailored to your profile within minutes. Autoresponse is an ideal complement to our Direct Data Feed service. It suits libraries who do not have Z39.50 technology, or who require relatively small files of information.

The BDS EDI Model

The BDS EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) model is preferred by libraries using an LMS which does not have the functionality of a Potential Requirements File (PRF) or a Z39.50 client.

The BDS EDI model offers delivery using the library service’s EDI quotes process for items purchased from suppliers. The LMS supplier strips out ISBNs and EANs from the EDI message and then uses FTP to integrate BDS MARC records into the LMS. Book records are requested by ISBN; film, music and games records by EAN. This process is conducted hourly at BDS. The BDS EDI model is a streamlined way of accessing BDS metadata.

BDZ

BDZ is the quickest and easiest way to download MARC records for books, film, music and games and is an ideal service to bring consistency to your catalogue. Records for books go back to 1950, amalgamating the resources of the BDS database, the British Library and the Library of Congress.

MARC records are sent direct to your library system using the Z39.50 protocol. There is no need to transfer files. Once you have a Z39.50 client, you can access BDZ data from your own workstation seamlessly and without the need for log-in and password.

Search on any of the index terms offered by your system, including ISBN, author, title, keyword and Dewey number.

BDZ is an annual subscription service and allows unlimited access to an unlimited number of users.

BDSLink

BDSLink is a resource that increases the chances of people finding what they want, enhances the search experience and increases lending. BDSLink offers the option of an images only service as well as an images and catalogue enrichment service. It includes:

  • Cover images and internal scans for books
  • Covers for audiobooks, film, music and games
  • Contents information, long descriptions, book reviews, contributor notes
  • Music artist biographies
  • Film trailers, audiobook clips and screenshots for computer games
  • Google preview

BDSLink works in partnership with LMS suppliers

Images and other enriched content are seamlessly integrated into and displayed upon your library management system’s OPAC without the need to store information locally or click on links and wait for pages to load. BDSLink covers most of the popular stock you are likely to have in your library.

XML

All BDS metadata and images can be supplied via XML API.

BDSLive

BDSLive is an integrated multimedia web-based service which delivers our complete metadata offering, covering books from the UK and the US, films, music and games. BDSLive offers authority-wide access – no need to “pay per seat”.

BDSLive allows you to look up items and download MARC records into your catalogue. You can elect to look only at library-quality records or include trade records to enhance retrieval. You can build lists which can be saved for sharing, retrieval or purchase.

BDSLive also offers item, price and availability on an ISBN and a supplier basis.

Library-quality records adhere to all current cataloguing standards, including DDC, LCC classification and Thema categories, and are created by library professionals (see Content and Standards).

Enriched Content

BDSLive integrates catalogue records with BDS Enriched Content (see Enriched Content). Enhanced information such as descriptions, jacket images, artist biographies, book reviews and video game, screen grabs are part of the offering within BDSLive, alongside:

  • Book reviews and author notes
  • Look inside the book to assist with selection
  • This week’s Top Ten
  • Film trailers, audio clips and track listings
  • Goodreads, IMDb and Discogs information
  • Accelerated Reader information

BDSLite

BDSLite makes the functionality of BDSLive available to your customers.

Your customers can find all the information they need about books, audio-books, e-books, DVD, and video games. It can be used on reference enquiry points and can be linked to your library OPAC.

BDSLive and BDSLite make staff and customers aware of the wider world of books and other media which may not be represented in your own collection.

Contact our sales team for more information.