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Metadata at Bowling Green State University: Metadata Object Description Schema (MODS)

This guide will introduce you to metadata schema currently used by librarians at Bowling Green State University.

Metadata Object Description Schema (MODS)

"MODS is an XML schema for a bibliographic element set that may be used for a variety of purposes, and particularly for library applications. It is a derivative of the MARC 21 bibliographic format (MAchine-Readable Cataloging) and as such includes a subset of MARC fields, using language-based tags rather than numeric ones. Definitions (semantics) of MODS elements may be found in the appropriate section." -- Definition taken from MODS User Guidelines Version 3 by the Library of Congress

Examples of MODS records can be found here

Required MODS Fields

All definitions and examples taken from Detailed Description of MODS Elements by the Library of Congress 

 

Element: <titleInfo>

 

Definition: A word, phrase, character, or group of characters, normally appearing in a resource, that names it or the work contained in it. 

Subelements: <title> <subTitle> <partNumber> <partName> <nonSort>

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Element: <typeOfResource>

Definition: A term that specifies the characteristiscs and genearl type of content of the resource.

Subelements: None

Values: A list of values for this field can be found at: http://www.loc.gov/standards/mods/userguide/typeofresource.html

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Element: <originInfo>

Definition: Information about the origin of the resource, including place of origin or publication, publisher/orgininator, and dates associated with the resource.

Subelement: <place> <publisher> <dateIssued> <dateCreated> <dateCaptured> <dateValid> <dateModified> <copyrightDate> <dateOther> <edition> <issurance> <frequency> 

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Element: <language>

Definition: A designation of the language in which the content of a resource is expressed.

Subelement: <languageTerm> <scriptTerm>

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Element: <physicalDescription>

Definition: Describes the physical attributes of the information resource.

Subelement: <form> <reformattingQuality> <internetMediaType> <extent> <digitalOrigin> <note> 

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Element: <subject>

Definition: A term or phrase representing the primary topic on which a work is focused.

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Element: <location>

Definition: Physical location.

Subelement: <physicalLocation 

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Element: <accessCondition>

Definition: The level of access allowed to an entity. 

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Element: <recordInfo>

Definition: Provides additional information about the record. 

Subelement: <recordContentSource> ; <recordCreationDate> ; <recordChangeDate> ; <recordIdentifier> ; <recordOrigin> <recordInfoNote>