An Introduction to MODS: An Introduction to MODS: The Metadata Object The Metadata Object

Description SchemaDescription Schema

Tech Talk By Daniel Gelaw AlemnehTech Talk By Daniel Gelaw Alemneh

October 17, 2007October 17, 2007

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Background: Background: Why create Why create metadata?metadata?

Discover resources

Identify resources

Locate resources

Bring resources together

Distinguish between/among similar and dissimilar resources

Record rights information

Ensure long-term access & preservation

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Approaches and Approaches and Issues need to be Issues need to be consideredconsidered

Level of description

Who will create metadata

Controlled vocabularies, Authority controls…

Presentation to users

Are you going to share it? Interoperability Rights information

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MODS Overview MODS Overview

Metadata Object Description SchemaMetadata Object Description SchemaDescriptive Metadata StandardDescriptive Metadata StandardAn XML schema designed to encode descriptive An XML schema designed to encode descriptive metadata for digital objectsmetadata for digital objectsDeveloped at LC; Network Development and Developed at LC; Network Development and MARC Standards Office (version 3.3)MARC Standards Office (version 3.3)Originally designed for library use; may be used Originally designed for library use; may be used for other applicationsfor other applicationsDerived from MARCDerived from MARC

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MODS DevelopmentMODS Development

XML increasingly used for markup for the webXML increasingly used for markup for the web

Investigating XML for MARC element setInvestigating XML for MARC element set

Need for descriptive metadata in XML; Need for descriptive metadata in XML; something simpler than MARC (with natural something simpler than MARC (with natural

language element names instead of numerical language element names instead of numerical field names)field names)

more interoperable than qualified DC (but rich more interoperable than qualified DC (but rich enough for complex digital objects)enough for complex digital objects)

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What is needed?What is needed?

A standard for metadata content A standard for metadata content analogous to AACR2analogous to AACR2

A standardized framework for holding and A standardized framework for holding and exchanging metadata: analogous to the exchanging metadata: analogous to the MARC record MARC record

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MODS features and AdvantagesMODS features and Advantages

Tags are language-based, not numeric (eg.100)Tags are language-based, not numeric (eg.100)

Elements are semantically parallel to MARCElements are semantically parallel to MARC

Doesn't assume use of any particular rulesDoesn't assume use of any particular rules

Element descriptions can be reusedElement descriptions can be reused

Use of XML schema allows for flexblity; Use of XML schema allows for flexblity;

Richer than Dublin Core Richer than Dublin Core (not too rich as UNTL Metadata, though)(not too rich as UNTL Metadata, though)

Hierarchical; Hierarchical; (supports rich description and works well UNTL)(supports rich description and works well UNTL)

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MODS ElementsMODS Elements1. Title Info 1. Title Info

2. Name 2. Name

3. Type of resource 3. Type of resource

4. Genre 4. Genre

5. Origin Information 5. Origin Information

6. Language 6. Language

7. Physical description 7. Physical description

8. Abstract 8. Abstract

9. Table of contents 9. Table of contents

10. Target audience 10. Target audience

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MODS Elements MODS Elements

10. Target audience 10. Target audience

11. Note 11. Note

12. Subject 12. Subject

13. Classification 13. Classification

14. Related item 14. Related item

15. Identifier 15. Identifier

16. Location 16. Location

17. Access conditions 17. Access conditions

18. Part 18. Part

19. Extension 19. Extension

20. Record Info 20. Record Info

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CrosswalksCrosswalks

Issues in converting existing records to MODS:

• Multiple elements are indicated for a single MODS element • Conversions without some loss of data could be difficult

• MARC to MODS • MODS to MARC• Dublin Core (simple) to MODS• UNTL to MODS

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But will MODS catch on?But will MODS catch on?Backed by Library of CongressBacked by Library of Congress

Interest from Libraries’ communityInterest from Libraries’ community 25 implementers25 implementers

There are more established competitors out There are more established competitors out there, there, Dublin Core, UNTL Metadata, etc.Dublin Core, UNTL Metadata, etc.

It might be difficult for MODS to make big It might be difficult for MODS to make big impact today (for all communities). However, impact today (for all communities). However, MODS offers exciting possibilities for the MODS offers exciting possibilities for the digital library!digital library!

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Useful addressesUseful addresses

MODSMODShttp://www.loc.gov/standards/mods/http://www.loc.gov/standards/mods/

METSMETShttp://www.loc.gov/standards/mets/ http://www.loc.gov/standards/mets/

UNTL to MODSUNTL to MODShttp://www.library.unt.edu/digitalprojects/assets/http://www.library.unt.edu/digitalprojects/assets/files/metadata/mapping/UNTL-MODS.pdffiles/metadata/mapping/UNTL-MODS.pdf

..

Thank you!Thank you!

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