Franziska on media files in the VLB

Since the end of February, publishers have been able to submit and edit their media files with even greater flexibility via the interface of the Verzeichnis Lieferbarer Bücher (VLB). On the redesigned upload page, publishers can now also manage content that previously could only be submitted in ONIX format.

We asked our data manager, Franziska, how this affects the work of publishers and bookstores.

• What exactly is the media upload page?

This is the section within the data entry area of the VLB interface where publishers upload items such as covers, photos of authors, and accompanying information to our database.

• Why did you redesign the area?

On the one hand, our goal was to make the process more efficient and user-friendly. To that end, we have, for example, added a preview function before saving and enabled batch uploads.

On the other hand, it was important to us to offer the additional reporting options already available in the ONIX format within the VLB’s online application and its international counterpart, Metabooks. For example, publishers can now also enter a copyright notice or a subtitle for their media files directly on the VLB interface.

Another helpful feature is the introduction of explicit system warnings when status-relevant information—such as the cover image—that is crucial for retailers is missing from the data records.

• How are bookstores benefiting from these changes?

For example, through improved data quality, because new images of authors are now uploaded directly for each individual and are thus clearly assigned. For the existing dataset, we have partially carried out this assignment when it was evident to us. The data is displayed in the VLB application, in exports, and in VLB-TIX.

This also has the nice side effect of further increasing the visibility of creators. We are pursuing this goal at MVB through various measures. This includes the increasing adoption of the international ISNI standard.

• What was your role in the project?

I established the technical framework for the new media upload page. It was important to me that it not only offer a wealth of new features but also remain intuitive to use. A tremendous amount of detailed work went into the page, which was made possible thanks to excellent teamwork with my colleagues in IT development. Together, we worked on designs, conducted tests, and engaged in lively discussions until we arrived at a solution that is both technically sound and user-friendly.

• What's next on your agenda?

Media files continue to be a part of my work. As a team, we’re working to further optimize how we manage them. Specifically, for example, we plan to support the uploading and downloading of image files in WebP format. This format offers high image quality with significantly smaller file sizes—and can thus noticeably reduce data traffic across the board in the long run.

PS: For more information about the features of the new media upload page, visit the VLB help page.

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