Digital Library Projects

Volume 2, Issue 1 of the IEEE TCDL Bulletin is now available. This issue features 31 brief articles describing digital library projects being conducted in the US and around the world. They are based on the Joint Conference on Digital Libraries (JCDL 2005) Poster and Demonstration session chaired by Michael (MIck) Khoo in June 2005.

DigitalLibraries

Visual Resources Association

VRA Core 4.0 Beta Draft documents and XML schema are now available for perusal on vraweb. These documents can be accessed from the "What's New" column on the VRA home page or from the new Data Standards home page.

At this site, there are links to the following documents:

• Introduction
• Element Outline
• Element Description
• VRA Core XML Schema and Examples page.

This last page has links to two XML schemas (one lax and one strict) and a number of examples submitted by DSC members. Each example has 2 data "views," created by xslt stylesheets to illustrate how the XML data may be formatted for different kinds of display, in addition to a raw XML data view. At the bottom of this page are links to an XML validator, some XML information sites, and the stylesheets and java source code used to format the examples.

VRA

MARCXML authorities to MADS stylesheet

LC has made available a MARCXML authorities to MADS stylesheet.

MARC
MODS

Accident

Yesterday it was two years since my auto accident. I'm still not fully recovered. I'm still in pain, not so it bothers me much, but it does make it difficult to get a good night's sleep. I'm still building up my strength and endurance. At TMEA and TLA last year I was in lots of pain by the end of the day. By SLA I was much better, I could hit some of the after parties. I'm still seeing doctors and having tests and taking pills much more than I'd like.

My advice, avoid an auto accident. Drive defensively. Get as many air bags as possible.

Thanks to all who have helped in my recovery, both physical and emotional.

Open Office

Last night I installed Open Office on my home machine. Pretty slick. It comes with a database program. I couldn't find anything about the db, is it MySQL? Open Office is worth investigating. It has the look and feel of a mature commercial product. I think it will handle all my word processing, presentation, and spreadsheet needs.

Databases

Cataloging Podcasts

The Krafty Librarian is looking to provide access to medical podcasts. More questions than answers at this time. Best way to find them, MARC or list on the Web site, treat as a serial or describe each episode? Join the conversation.

Podcasts

Resource Description and Access

The draft of part I of RDA is being made available for comment prior to the April 2006 JSC meeting.

Draft of RDA Part I [PDF format]

The cover letter of the draft refers to a number of new or revised JSC documents. Links have been provided below:

• Prospectus for RDA
• Strategic plan
• Objectives and Principles [PDF format]
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Statement of policy and procedures for JSC [PDF format]

For information on who to submit your comments to, see Making comments on RDA drafts.

The deadline for comments is March 1, 2006, to allow time for the comments to be compiled for consideration by the JSC at their meeting on April 24-28, 2006.

The JSC has also set up a discussion list on RDA.

RDA

Metadata Markup

Now available: Cordes, Christopher Sean (2005) Creating HTML Meta-tags with the Dublin Core Element Set. Tutorial.

The breadth and scope of information available online and through intranets are making the standardization and use of metadata to identify records imperative if not mandated. Some measure of searchability is provided by the HTML meta tag <meta>, but the tag has limited potential for describing complex documents. The Dublin Core Metadata Initiative group has developed metadata standards that support a broad range of purposes and business models, most notably the Dublin Core Element Set. The set is fairly easy to learn, but must be combined with HTML if to provide metadata for referencing by a web crawler or search engine. This paper outlines the steps needed to create HTML metadata using the Dublin Core Element Set, and some of the benefits of doing so.

I don't think many search engines are now using any meta tags, except maybe description. However, as a tool for providing better searcing on your own site this is still of value.

DC

Authority Tools for Audiovisual and Music Catalogers

Authority Tools for Audiovisual and Music Catalogers: An Annotated List of Useful Resources has been expanded and updated.

Authority

Searching the OPAC

Thom Hickey writes in his weblog, Outgoing, about improving searching in databases. He has a working demonstration of the LCSH and a library catalog.

OPAC