Any other suggestions for how to encode an open-ended date range? Even if DACS says not to do this, not all EAD implementers will be using DACS. I know it's convenient to make @normal conform to the ISO8601 data type, but we're really excluding a significant use case here...
Thanks all!
Jenn
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Encoded Archival Description List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
> Of Kellams, Dina M
> Sent: Tuesday, December 04, 2007 7:33 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: open ended-date range
>
> Because you'll probably hear this from others, according to DACS, we
> are no longer supposed to leave anything with open date ranges, but to
> instead give it a closing date and update it as necessary. I know, I
> know, I still have some finding aids out there with an open date range
> (BFC & Trustees) but I just haven't found it necessary to go back and
> clean those up yet.
>
> (DACS rule 2.4.8: When further accruals are expected, record the
> inclusive dates pertaining to the holdings currently in the custody of
> the repository. Record information about expected accruals in the
> Accruals Element (5.4). When the accruals are received, revise the date
> as necessary.)
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Encoded Archival Description List [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
> Of Riley, Jenn
> Sent: Monday, December 03, 2007 7:36 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: open ended-date range
>
> Hello all,
>
> In working with finding aids encoded according to the EAD 2002 W3C
> Schema instead of the DTD, we've run into an issue with the
> unitdate/@normal attribute. The data type for the unitdate/@normal
> attribute doesn't seem to support open-ended date ranges (because it's
> based on ISO8601, which doesn't support them either, is that right?).
> So what's the best encoding to use for a date range that, say, starts
> in 1970 and continues to the present day? These aren't valid:
>
> <unitdate normal="1970/">1970-</unitdate>
> <unitdate normal="1970/9999">1970-</unitdate> (that's a hack, but I've
> seen it in use before)
>
> I can think of these other options:
>
> <unitdate normal="1970">1970-</unitdate> (treat it as a single date in
> the normal attribute)
> <unitdate>1970-</unitdate> (leave the normal attribute off entirely)
>
> I don't like either of those options, though. What would you do?
>
> Jenn
>
> ========================
> Jenn Riley
> Metadata Librarian
> Digital Library Program
> Indiana University - Bloomington
> Wells Library W501
> (812) 856-5759
> www.dlib.indiana.edu
>
> Inquiring Librarian blog: www.inquiringlibrarian.blogspot.com
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