> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.lorcandempsey.net/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Ting: collaboratively sourced library infrastructure
- URL: https://www.lorcandempsey.net/ting-collaboratively-sourced-library-infrastructure/
- Published: 2010-03-07T23:24:55.000Z
- Updated: 2020-10-28T09:11:07.000Z
- Author: Lorcan Dempsey
- Tags: Systems, UX

Ting is an initiative which is creating a shared systems and data infrastructure for Danish public libraries – and potentially others. At its heart is a ‘data well’, an enriched aggregate of data (see a list of data sources [here](https://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pi2Jrn8MRdkjw44KxoR-WLw&ref=lorcandempsey.net)). Another important component is Ding, a Drupal-based content management system for presenting library resources.  
Libraries currently participating are [Copenhagen](https://bibliotek.kk.dk/?ref=lorcandempsey.net) and [Aarhus](https://aakb.dk/?ref=lorcandempsey.net) public libraries. They are working with [DBC](https://www.dbc.dk/english?ref=lorcandempsey.net), the provider of the Danish union catalog, [bibliotek.dk](https://bibliotek.dk/?ref=lorcandempsey.net), among other services,  
[![ting.png](https://storage.ghost.io/c/77/c7/77c7bb74-1d53-4c6c-a1fc-8e2ccb21b6d2/content/images/wordpress/lorcan/ting.png)](https://aakb.dk/?ref=lorcandempsey.net)  
Some features of the websites are described on the [Ting blog](https://gnit.dk/2010/01/27/beta-release-af-kkbs-og-akbs-nye-hjemmesider/?ref=lorcandempsey.net). I liked the emphasis on the integration between website and database. Facets are on top of the results display rather than on the side. There is some work-based clustering. There is a nice suggestion feature on the search box.  
Here is a high-level architectural view:

[![](https://gnit.dk/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/diagram-over-ting-konceptet1-300x211.jpg "Diagram over TING konceptet")](https://gnit.dk/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/diagram-over-ting-konceptet1.jpg?ref=lorcandempsey.net) 

Ting is an interesting initiative. I do not have a lot of context to assess it. I do not know how well its aggregation of data will compare with others and I only spent a little while looking at the library websites. It provides an example of the shared approach I [recently suggested](https://blog.oclc.org/lorcand/archives/002058.html?ref=lorcandempsey.net) would become more important. I was introduced to it last week in a nice presentation by Mats Hernvall at a [meeting](https://www.biblioteksforeningen.org/konferens/Konf2010/informationstjanster/konf.html?ref=lorcandempsey.net) in Lund. He discussed the importance of scale and collaboration in developing library services and noted that DBC were interested in further partnerships.  
Note: updated from beta to production URLs for the library websites.