Why not start with the MARC XML schema, marc21slim?  It is available at the Library of Congress web site, www.loc.gov/marc.

Michael

-----Original Message-----
From: MARC [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of <Alejandro J Delgado-Gomez>
Sent: Monday, June 27, 2005 9:30 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Question about graphic depiction of MARC formats


Some months ago I posted a message about this issue. I have to depict MARC
formats (elements, behaviours, relationships), in such a way that our
programmers should be able to understand them, and, therefore, to
adequately design the system.

The problem is I am not able to find a tool capable of expressing this
kind of elements/attributes/properties, etc.

I have three options, all of them quite frustrating:

1) Graphic depiction of a "MARC ontology". I've tried with tools, such as
Protege or Shore, but it is impossible.

2) XML instance, with graphical views (similar to those provided by, for
instance, XML Spy)

3) In addition, I've tried to get the old MARC DTD, in order to convert it
to XML, but, seemingly, it is not available.

I'm wondering if some of you have experienced a similar problem, and know
some kind of tool, or such graphic depiction, developed by some other
institution.

I'm aware this question is a bit absurd, as a graphic depiction should be
developed by programmers, but I'm afraid I cannot use this argument.

Thank you very much in advance
Alejandro Delgado Gómez
Servicio de Archivo y Bibliotecas
Ayuntamiento de Cartagena